Major

Major w/env. ethics concentration

Major w/religious studies concentration

Minor

Courses

Honors Program

Academic Standards

Test-out Policy

Philosophy
(College of Letters and Science)
Dona Warren, Chair
Room 489, Collins Classroom Center
Phone: 715-346-3340
E-mail: philosophy@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/philosophy

Faculty:  
Philosophy: D Chan, C Diehm, K Fry, J Sage, J Waligore, D Warren, D Williams.

Religious Studies: C Dempsey, A Keefe; S Luft.

Anthropology: S Aleman, I Choi, S. Ganapathy.

Definitions: Philosophy is the rigorous examination of issues that cannot be resolved through empirical observation or experiment, such as the status of ethical judgments, the existence of God, and what counts as good reason for belief.
     Religious Studies is the cross-cultural and comparative examination of humanity's diverse religious traditions.
     Anthropology is the study of human cultural, linguistic and biological diversity, both in a contemporary context and in the context of historical and biological evolutionary changes that have resulted in a rich archaeological and ethnographic record of human physical and cultural adaptation and variety.

Mission: The Department of Philosophy, housing the disciplines of philosophy, religious studies, and anthropology, trains students in the skills of critical thinking, written and oral communication, and empathetic engagement with diverse worldviews, cultures, ethical systems and religions. The training we offer equips our students with the skills needed for a wide variety of professional careers and with the ability to adapt to the inevitable changes and challenges they will face after graduation.

Philosophy Major
Consists of a minimum of 27 credits including:

1. Logic: Phil 322.
2. History: Phil 325, 326, and 327.
3. Value theory: One course from Phil 302, 303, 305, 307, 315, 336.
4. Metaphysics/Epistemology: One course from Phil 306, 310, 312, 320, 345, 350, 360, 385.
5. Seminar: Phil 490.
6. Electives: At least 6 additional credits in philosophy which may include either 100 or 101, but not both.

Philosophy Major with Concentration in Environmental Ethics
Consists of a minimum of 33 credits including:

1. Logic: Phil 121 or 322.
2. History: Phil 325, 326, 327.
3. Value theory: One course from Phil 302, 303, 305, 307, 315, 336.
4. Environmental ethics: Phil 380 and 480.
5. Tier 1 electives: 3 credits from Phil 303, 306, 307, 310, 315, 320, 350, 351.
6. Tier 2 electives: 9 credits (at least 6 must be 300 level or higher, and no more than 6 credits may be in philosophy) from: Anthropology 350, 372; Biology 305, 308, 311, 353; Clinical Lab Science 395; Communication 230, 240, 280; Economics 342; English 248, 348, 358, 363, 365, 392; Forestry 232; Geography 100, 340, 371; Geology 330; History 204 (formerly 260), 280 (formerly 366), 304, 380 (formerly 394); Natural Resources 150, 151, 320, 323, 330, 370, 395, 412, 458, 459, 460, 491; Phil 345, 381, 385; Political Science 304, 305; SHP 330; Sociology 355.

Other courses not listed here may count with approval of the Environmental Ethics concentration director.

Philosophy Major with Concentration in Religious Studies
Consists of a minimum of 39 credits including:

1. Philosophy core, 12 credits.

1. Logic: Phil 121 or 322.

2. Ethics: Phil 101, 302, 305, 336, or 380.

3. Any two additional courses in philosophy.

2. Religious studies concentration, 27 credits. At least 18 must be 300 level or above.

1. Introduction to the Study of Religion: Rel 202.

2. Global Religions 1: Asian and Indigenous Traditions: two courses from Rel 100, 316, 333, 340, 341, Phil 105, or Anth 320.

3. Global Religions 2: Western Traditions: two courses from Rel 101, 302, 303, 304, 305, 311, 325, 330, or 342.

4. Senior seminar: Rel 450.

5. Electives: A minimum of 9 additional credits from religious studies or collateral courses including: Anth 110, 320, 380; Art 270, 374; Hist 332, 357; Phil 320, 327, 330; Poli Sci 324.

Philosophy Minor
Consists of a minimum of 18 credits including:

1. Logic: Philosophy 121 or 322.
2. History: Two courses from Phil 325, 326, 327.
3. One course at 300 level or higher, that may include 322 if 121 is taken to fulfill the logic requirement.
4. Electives: At least 6 additional philosophy credits.

Philosophy Honors Program
The Department of Philosophy offers an honors program for students majoring in philosophy, philosophy with a concentration in environmental ethics, or philosophy with a concentration in religious studies. To apply for admission:

1. Have at least 30 university credits.
2. Have 6 credits in philosophy or religious studies with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
3. Contact the department chair or department honors advisor.

Academic Standards

1. To ensure that your program is as well planned as possible, the Philosophy Department requires each major or minor to have a departmental advisor.
2. You must have your advisor's approval on all philosophy courses you select to apply to the major or minor.
3. You may apply selected upper division religious studies courses with advisor approval to your philosophy major or minor if it will strengthen your program.
4. To be accepted and retained as a major or minor and approved for graduation, you must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 in courses counted toward the major or minor, including transfer credits and regardless of any declaration of academic bankruptcy. Courses taken pass/fail or with a grade lower than C- may not be counted toward the major or minor. You may repeat a course in the major or minor only if you follow the policy on repeating courses found in the Academic Information section of this catalog.
5. Courses in philosophy are open to all students who meet the prerequisites.

Test-out Policy
You may apply to test out of any course in philosophy, religious studies or anthropology that meets one or more of the general degree requirements. The department chair will make arrangements for the test. You will work with a designated faculty member who will confer with you regarding date, site, question format, etc. The faculty member will prepare a comprehensive written exam, grade it and inform you in writing of your grade within two weeks of taking the exam. If you receive a grade of B or higher, the corresponding GDR requirement will be waived.

The department assumes no responsibility for preparing students for test-out examinations. You may not apply to test-out of a course in which you are currently enrolled. You may not attempt to test out of a course more than once.

Courses in Philosophy