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Ave Maria University

Ave Maria University
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Curriculum Requirements

the philosophy major

 

Philosophy at Ave Maria University is understood according to its original meaning as the love and pursuit of wisdom, viz. philosophia. It is deeply rooted in man’s desire to know himself, his place in the universe, and answer the question of life’s ultimate meaning. Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? How must I live? What is the meaning and significance of the world around me? Who made all this, and why? Beginning in awe and wonder, philosophy tries to find answers to these questions and to articulate them in a systematic and rigorous way.

For more information about these courses, please click on the Course Catalog link below.

Course Catalog


COURSE CATALOGUE
Philosophy

CORE COURSES:

PHIL 205 Nature and Person
PHIL 206
Ethics
PHIL 400
Philosophical Perspectives: Metaphysics
 * Majors do not take this course but PHIL 401 Metaphysic, instead.

 

REQUIRED COURSES:

PHIL 205 and PHIL 206 are prerequisites for all required and elective courses.

PHIL 302 Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 303
Logic
PHIL 305 Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 308
Epistemology
PHIL 401
Metaphysics
PHIL 403
Political Philosophy
PHIL 413
Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
PHIL 491 *
Comprehensive Exam (2credits)
Research Thesis **
 


ELECTIVE COURSES:

PHIL 301Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 310
Philosophy of Love
PHIL 402
Aesthetics
PHIL 405
Philosophy of Science
PHIL 406
St. Augustine
PHIL 407
St. Thomas Aquinas
PHIL 408
Franciscan Philosophy
PHIL 409
John Henry Newman
PHIL 410
Plato
PHIL 411
Aristotle
PHIL 412
Recent Philosophy
PHIL 415
Special Topics
PHIL 490
Senior Seminar

*PHIL 491 Comprehensive Examination. This examination, counting for two-credits and covering the principal doctrines, themes, and authors studied in the nine (9) philosophy courses required for majors, will especially test the student on their mastery of the following themes: the philosophy of being, the philosophy of mind, history of western philosophy, moral philosophy, and the relationship between philosophy and theology.

**Research Thesis. In their senior year, philosophy majors are required to write a twentypage (5000-5500 word) research paper. This paper will normally be integrated into one of the 400-level elective philosophy courses the student takes in his senior year. Therefore the topic of this paper is chosen by the student in consultation with and subject to the approval of the professor teaching the aforesaid elective, and will normally be directed by that same professor. A forty-minute oral, public presentation of the paper, followed by a question and answer period, is an important part of this project. In those years when PHIL 490 Senior Seminar is offered, students will write their research paper in this class.

 

the philosophy minor

 

The minor in philosophy allows students majoring in other disciplines to develop a concentration in philosophy, and to have this concentration officially recognized. The department presently offers two minors.


STANDARD MINOR

The student must complete seven philosophy courses--four courses in addition to the three core philosophy courses (PHIL 205, 206, 400). It is suggested that the student specify his courses to have a concentration complementing his chosen major.


PRE-THEOLOGY MINOR

Following the Church’s recommendations for the philosophical formation of students considering seminary, the department also offers a minor for Pre-Theology students. In conjunction with the Pre-Theologate program at Ave Maria University it has been determined that, to obtain the minor, the student must complete these eight courses: PHIL 205, 206, 302, 303, 305, 308, 401, 413.