Philosophy Goals and Objectives
Goals
Our goals are that students completing the program of study should be able to:
A. Clearly convey their understanding of historical and contemporary philosophical inquiry—i.e., the philosophical theses and arguments that have been offered by others on such topics as the fundamental nature of human beings and the wider reality of which they are a part, what counts as a human life lived well, and the limits of human understanding.
Relevant Blue Ribbon Competencies: Critical Thinking, Ethical and Moral Consciousness, Historical Consciousness, International Awareness, Philosophy and Methods of Science, Social and Cultural Awareness, and Verbal Literacy
B. Demonstrate their ability to think for themselves about a philosophical problem and clearly defend and express their views.
Relevant Blue Ribbon Competencies: Critical Thinking, Verbal Literacy.
Learning Objectives
The program’s success in meeting the above goals will be determined by measuring student performance in relation to the objectives below. That is, a student successfully completing the philosophy B.A. should be able to:
1. clearly explain the considerations that give rise to a particular philosophical problem (Goal A);
2. clearly explain how a particular thinker has attempted to address a philosophical problem, including the reasoning offered in support of addressing the problem in that way (Goal A);
3. clearly explain the historical significance of a figure’s approach to a problem—i.e., what achievement a historical figure’s approach to a problem represents, regardless of whether one thinks that approach is correct (Goal A); and
4. identify relevant considerations and mount a good argument of their own in support of a philosophical thesis—a thesis that may be critical or constructive in nature (GOAL B).