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Department of Philosophy
Faculty in the Department of Philosophy: Glen Helman (chair), Cheryl Hughes, and Adriel Trott.
The Wabash Philosophy Department offers courses on a range of philosophical topics, with a diversity of points of view unusual in a small college department. Most of our courses are historically oriented, with an emphasis on looking at philosophical arguments. Students grow familiar with the classic texts of the Western philosophical tradition as they develop their own skills in reading difficult texts, writing, and thinking about philosophical issues.
We try to provide a variety of ways for interested students to sample the subject. All courses in the 100’s are appropriate first courses in philosophy. Students with interests in a particular area can also begin with a course in the 200s, though the work there may be slightly more advanced. PHI 449 and 490 are normally taken by majors during their senior year.
Comprehensive Examinations: Students write for two days, three hours each day. The department has usually invited majors to submit a list of six books from a number of periods in the history of philosophy to serve as the basis for the questions on the first day. Second day questions usually explore broad philosophical issues, with students free to draw on any material in answering them. The department’s goal is to give students the chance to tie their major together, reflect on this part of their education, and demonstrate their strengths in the field.
Requirements for the Major: Nine course credits (of which up to one credit may be from PSC 330, 335, 336, or 338), including:
• The history of ancient and early modern philosophy (PHI 140 and 242)
• Logic (PHI 270)
• Work in ethics, social, or political philosophy (at least one credit from among PHI 110, 213, 219, 319, or PSC 330, 335, 336, or 338)
• Work in the Continental tradition after Kant (PHI 345 for at least one credit)
• Work in epistemology, metaphysics, and related areas (at least one credit from among PHI 272; 269 or 369; 279 or 379; or 346)
• Senior seminar (PHI 449)
• Senior reading (PHI 490, one-half credit.)
Requirements for the Minor: Five course credits (of which up to one credit may be from PSC 330, 335, 336, or 338), including:
• The history of ancient and early modern philosophy (PHI 140 and 242)
• Work in ethics, social, or political philosophy (at least one credit from among PHI 110, 213, 219, 319, or PSC 330, 335, 336, or 338)
• At least one credit from courses in philosophy with a number of 300 or above.