Philosophy

Course Information

Program Overview

Assumption’s philosophy students explore some of life’s most important and enduring questions, questions that trace their origins to ancient Greece and great thinkers like Plato and Aristotle.

What does it mean to be a human being?
What makes for excellence in human living?
How are human beings related to the divine?

These and other similar themes have continued to inform philosophical thought to this day. Contemporary philosophy returns to these concerns and reaches into discussions of ethics, both pure and applied, law, aesthetics and the social and natural sciences.

When you study philosophy, you develop strong logic and judgment skills, which makes it a great choice for students who intend to pursue careers in law, business, government, theology or education. Students are also well prepared to enter graduate programs in philosophy or other areas of study upon graduation.

Major

The philosophy major requires that students take 11 courses in philosophy. The curriculum critically investigates the major areas of human endeavor that stress the formation of the student’s judgment. It also lays the foundation for special studies in the natural sciences, literature, languages, history and the social sciences and a more intensive training in liberal arts overall.

Minor

To earn a minor in philosophy, students must take 6 courses in the department. The minor in philosophy is designed to strengthen any liberal arts major, broaden the student’s background and enable the student to see his or her focus of study from a new, enriched perspective.

Degree Requirements

Major

Required Courses (11):

PHI 100 Introduction to Philosophy
PHI 202 Ethics
PHI 340 Metaphysics
Four Courses in the History of Philosophy (one course from each era):
- Ancient Philosophy: PHI 350 Plato OR PHI 354
- Medieval Philosophy: PHI 355 Augustine and Aquinas OR PHI 359
- Modern Philosophy: PHI 360 Early Modern Philosophy (strong>ORPHI 369
- Contemporary Philosophy: PHI 370 Existential Thought OR PHI 389
Two upper level courses in Philosophy (300 – 400 level)
Two further courses from any of the Philosophy course offerings.

The Department recommends that majors satisfy the Writing Emphasis Core Curriculum requirement with an intermediate level Philosophy course, usually PHI 202 Ethics (WE). This course should be taken early in one’s curriculum, in the sophomore year when possible.

As graduate students in Philosophy are expected to develop a proficiency in one or more foreign language (French, German, Greek, or Latin), Philosophy majors are encouraged to begin developing their competency here at the College.

Students considering graduate study in Philosophy are encouraged to contact the Department’s Graduate Advisor, Prof. Patrick Corrigan, during or before the junior year.

Minor in Philosophy

The minor in Philosophy is designed to strengthen any major, broaden the student’s background, and enable the student to see his/her subject in perspective.

Required Courses (6):

PHI 100 Introduction to Philosophy
One Intermediate Philosophy course (200 level)
Two History of Philosophy courses
- Ancient Philosophy: PHI 350 Plato OR PHI 354
- Medieval Philosophy: PHI 355 Augustine and Aquinas OR PHI 359
- Modern Philosophy: PHI 360 Early Modern Philosophy OR PHI 369
- Contemporary Philosophy: PHI 370 Early Existential Thought OR PHI 389
Two further courses from the Philosophy offerings

The minor program is planned in consultation with a member of the Department, taking into consideration the student’s major and interests, and subject to the approval of the Department Chairperson.

Faculty

The philosophy faculty is a diverse group of educators, each with a different background and philosophical focus in their own studies and in their teaching style. This makes for a broad education in philosophy, giving students a chance to explore many facets of philosophy from different perspectives. Our professors are also mentors and get to know students individually. Faculty advisors assist students with everything from course selection to exploring their career opportunities.

	Gavin Colvert Associate Professor of Philosophy
	Patrick Corrigan Associate Professor of Philosophy Teaching and Research Interests Tensions and Compatibilities of Philosophy and Christianity David Hume on the Tensions between Religion and Ethics The Philosophizing of Plato’s Socrates Philosophical Issues in Biology
	Molly Brigid Flynn, Ph.D. Director of the Honors Program, Associate Professor of Philosophy
	Paul Gallagher Associate Professor of Philosophy
	Christian Gobel Associate Professor of Philosophy
	Daniel Maher Associate Professor of Philosophy Areas of Specialization: Ancient Philosophy (especially Aristotle) Medical Ethics Areas of Competence Modern Philosophy Metaphysics Ethics Political Philosophy Philosophy of Science Engineering Ethics
	Nalin Ranasinghe Professor of Philosophy Academic Interests Socrates, Nietzsche, The Problem of Evil, Philosophical Anthropology, Greek Literature & Theatre.
	Samuel Stoner Assistant Professor of Philosophy 1. History of Modern Philosophy 2. Immanuel Kant 3. Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art
	Anthony Traylor Associate Professor of Philosophy Academic Interests: Phenomenology (especially Heidegger); the Mimetic Theory of René Girard; Existentialism; Georges Bataille.

Courses

PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy
PHI 200 Philosophy of Nature
PHI 201 Philosophical Psychology
PHI 202 Ethics
PHI 204 God and the Philosophers
PHI 205-206 Foundations: Philosophy and Religion
PHI 310 Love and Friendship
PHI 318 Individual and Community
PHI 320 Business Ethics
PHI 321 Biomedical Ethics
PHI 322 Advanced Topics in Ethics
PHI 327 Philosophy and Literature
PHI 333 Philosophy and Film
PHI 340 Metaphysics
PHI 345 Special Topics in Philosophical Issues
PHI 350 Plato
PHI 355 Augustine and Aquinas
PHI 357 Crossroads: Islamic, Jewish and Christian Philosophy
PHI 360 Early Modern Philosophy
PHI 365 Late Modern Philosophy
PHI 370 Existentialist Thought
PHI 375 American Philosophy
PHI 380 20th Century Continental Philosophy
PHI 390 Special Topics in the History of Philosophy
PHI 405 Independent Study
PHI 444 Honors Thesis in Philosophy

Internships & Outcomes

Careers and Graduate Schools

There are an interesting array of opportunities in education, law, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and business careers for philosophy graduates. Students are also well equipped to pursue a graduate degree in philosophy, law, business, or other areas of study. Some Assumption College philosophy majors have received Fulbright Scholarships, a post-graduate fellowship allowing for study in a foreign country.

Our graduates find careers as:

Educators
Consultants
Lawyers
NGO employees
Government agents
Investment agents

Recent Employers

Brigham Young University
Lahey Clinic
Lemuel Shattuck Hospital
Putnam Investments
State Street Corporation
University of Massachusetts Medical School
U.S. Navy

Graduate Schools where Assumption Philosophy studenst have recently been accepted:

Boston College
Catholic University
Marquette University
Yale University
University of Memphis
Fordham University

Academics

Course Information

Major

Minor

Major

Required Courses (11):

Minor in Philosophy

Required Courses (6):

Teaching and Research Interests

Careers and Graduate Schools

Our graduates find careers as:

Recent Employers

Graduate Schools where Assumption Philosophy studenst have recently been accepted:

#ACachieves

Contact Information