Major

Philosophy Major

Download as PDF
Department/Program
Philosophy
  • 32 Credits (36 if pursuing honors)
  • Required Courses
    • At least two courses numbered Philosophy 201-208
  • Electives
    • One course from each of the following categories:
      • Philosophy and Contemporary Issues (PCI)
      • Texts and Figures (T&F)
      • Philosophical Topics (PT)
    • At least three Philosophy courses at the 300-level or above
  • Notes
    • Students may use a single course to satisfy multiple requirements.
    • The two courses in Philosophy 201-208 should be completed by the end of the student’s seventh semester.
    • Courses taken P-D-F may not be used to satisfy major requirements.
    • Students may not double major in Philosophy and Ethics and Society.
  • Senior Requirements
    • Rewriting of a seminar paper from a 300- or 400-level course
    • Written comprehensive exam
    • Oral exam focused on the revised seminar paper and answers from the written exam
  • Honors
    • Students submit an Honors in Major Study Application to the department.
    • Students must submit a proposal for their thesis or project within the first six weeks of the two-semester period in which the student is eligible.
    • Accumulated at least 87 credits
    • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
    • Major GPA of at least 3.500
    • Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program.
    • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course.
    • Pass the senior assessment with distinction.
    • The department will submit the honors applications to the Registrar’s Office of students pursuing honors in major by the specified deadline.
    • The department will submit “Senior Assessment/Major Study Certificate” to the Registrar’s Office no later than Reading Day.
  • The Honors Thesis (eight credits total)
    • Majors interested in writing an honors thesis must have a major GPA of at least 3.500, must complete at least 36 credits of coursework in Philosophy, and complete the following:
      • Submit a proposal to the department two weeks before the end of the spring semester of their junior year.
      • Get consent from a member of the department based on departmental approval of the proposal to conduct an independent study in the fall semester of their senior year.
      • Upon completion of a successful independent study, submit a new honors thesis proposal for departmental approval by the beginning of the last week of classes in the fall semester of their senior year. If approved, then write the honors thesis in the spring of their senior year, due by the end of the first week in April.
      • Successfully complete a public oral examination of the honors thesis before the end of the third week of April.

Required Courses

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
8

Elective Courses

Item #
Title
Credits
4
4
4
12
Sub-Total Credits
24

Additional Course Requirements for Students Pursuing Honors in Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
8
Total Credits
32-36