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Twin Cities Campus
Philosophy MinorPhilosophy Department
College of Liberal Arts
If you have ever pondered, "Why am I here?" or "What is the meaning of life?" then you have already thought about philosophy. Philosophy poses questions about every human endeavor and examines our basic assumptions about everything we think we know. It takes on challenging issues that sometimes defy resolution and trains the brain to think in a rigorous and analytic way about all the possible answers and what's at stake. Philosophy is not just a subject matter but a way of thinking.
In your philosophy courses, you will learn about the way that people throughout history have engaged in this kind of thinking with questions such as "Can I really trust my senses to tell me about reality?", "Is anything really morally right or wrong or is it all just relative?", "Do scientific theories tell us the truth about the world or are they tools that are useful for certain purposes?" and "Are some societies more just than others?". You will discover that thinking about these questions with an open mind is deeply satisfying. Philosophical thinking also contributes to a worthwhile life; in the words of Socrates "the unexamined life is not worth living".
Of course, life isn't all about having fun thinking. Philosophy is also much more practical than you might think! Because philosophy is so far-reaching, the method it uses for study enhances the study of other fields such as art, math, science, language, and law with tremendous success. It is a great complement to other majors as a second major or a minor. You can find details about good combinations on our website. Also, studying philosophy is a fantastic way to hone your critical thinking and analytic writing skills. You'll learn two types of critical thinking: First, a method for rigorous analysis of arguments. Second, a habit of asking penetrating questions about the hidden assumptions of any position, ideology or practice. You will develop your capacities to conceive of alternative assumptions, evaluate which ones are best and determine where they lead. You'll learn to write papers that clearly demonstrate these skills.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Minor Requirements
The minor consists of 14 semester credits (or their equivalent) of PHIL courses at the 3xxx-level or above. At least 8 credits must be taken at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus. Students may earn a B.A. or a minor in philosophy, but not both.
The philosophy minor is unstructured, but we recommend giving your minor program your own structure – one that will enrich your major or allow you to explore a side interest in a concentrated way. To help you do this, we have grouped the philosophy courses into sub-fields in order to help you choose a set of courses that matches your interests. For example, if you are interested in law school, we recommend taking electives in philosophy of law, ethics, and political philosophy. If you are interested in science or medicine, we recommend taking electives in medical ethics, environmental ethics and philosophy of science. If you were a math wiz in high school, you might enjoy taking electives in logic and philosophy of math. If you are interested in art, electives in aesthetics could be rewarding for you. For anyone planning to go into a professional program, courses in both logic and applied ethics will be beneficial.
Minor Courses
Students can choose any combination of courses from the Minor Courses to reach the 14-credit minimum of the minor. Note: Some of the courses on this list have prerequisites.
Take 14 or more credit(s) from the following:
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is the philosophical study of the arts, especially in regard to such questions as: What is art, and how is it connected to the world? What is the role of beauty in art? Are there objective truths about artistic value? Are there situations in which artistic activity should be restricted or suppressed? Study of aesthetics pairs well with majors in the arts and in art history, as well as in literature and such subjects as sociology, anthropology, psychology and education.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 3502W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4501 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4510 - Philosophy of the Individual Arts
(3.0 cr)
or
PHIL 5510 - Philosophy of the Individual Arts
(3.0 cr)
·
Practical Ethics
Many of the questions we confront in our personal, professional, and civic lives are questions of ethics. Should I buy organically produced food in order to minimize harms to the environment? Should I support affirmative action policies in education or the workplace? Is mass incarceration unjust? Why? Study of ethics pairs well with students who anticipate pursuing professions such as business, education, human resources, law, and medicine.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 3301 - Environmental Ethics
[ENV]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3304 - Law and Morality
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3305 - Medical Ethics
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3302W - Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
[CIV, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHIL 3322W - Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
Ethics and Moral Philosophy
In these courses you will explore questions such as: What it is to be a good person? Are there universal principles that distinguish right from wrong? What are our moral obligations? Is morality relative or absolute? Consider taking courses in this area if you are heading for business, law, or medical school, in combination with some courses from the practical ethics group to give you some theoretical background. Ethics courses also pair well with a major in psychology or political science.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 3311W - Introduction to Ethical Theory
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3302W - Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
[CIV, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4311W - History of Moral Theories
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4320 - Intensive Study of a Historical Moral Theory
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4331 - Contemporary Moral Theories
(3.0 cr)
·
ELM (Epistemology, Language, Metaphysics, Mind)
These courses cover a wide ranging set of issues in contemporary philosophy. In Epistemology, philosophers explore questions such as: What is knowledge? How is knowledge shaped by society and culture? In Metaphysics: Does God exist? Are we free to act the way we choose? In Philosophy of Mind: What is the relationship between the mind and body? What is thinking? In Philosophy of Language: How does language work? What is the relationship between thought and language?
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 3231 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3234 - Knowledge and Society
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3607 - Philosophy of Psychology
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4101 - Metaphysics
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4105W - Epistemology
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4231 - Philosophy of Language
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4615 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4085 - Wittgenstein
(3.0 cr)
or
PHIL 5085 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
History of Philosophy
In these courses you will reflect on writings by philosophers of the past that explore questions such as: What makes a life worth living? How can I tell if I am doing the right thing? Can a contradictory statement be true? Could I be wrong about most everything I believe? You will find that some authors have ideas different from yours, while others share familiar ideas. Comparing the different with the familiar gives you the opportunity to notice, understand, and evaluate your own assumptions.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 3001W - General History of Western Philosophy: Ancient Period
[AH, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3005W - General History of Western Philosophy: Modern Period
[AH, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4055 - Kant
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5601 - History of the Philosophy of Science
(3.0 cr)
·
Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics
Logic (and its philosophy) studies the differences between truth and falsity, good and bad arguments, correct and incorrect reasoning, necessity and possibility, and the finite and the infinite. In logic courses we introduce precise symbolic methods for representing various kinds of reasoning, and we develop systematic tools for differentiating the good arguments from the bad. The study of logic pairs especially well with mathematics, statistics, economics, and physics.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 5201 - Symbolic Logic I
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5202 - Symbolic Logic II
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5211 - Modal Logic
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5221 - Philosophy of Logic
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5222 - Philosophy of Mathematics
(3.0 cr)
·
Political Philosophy and Philosophy of Law
What is justice? What is the purpose of the state? What obligations does the state have to its citizens and vice versa? What is law? What may or must citizens do in the face of unjust laws? These are some of the questions addressed in courses in political philosophy and philosophy of law. These questions prepare you for a career in law, politics, or public service. Courses in these areas compliment majors in political science, history or economics, as well as any major that focuses on justice.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 3304 - Law and Morality
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4321W - Theories of Justice
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4414 - Political Philosophy
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5415 - Philosophy of Law
(3.0 cr)
·
Philosophy of Science
What makes a claim "scientific"? How do scientists know when they have a good theory? How can we make informed evaluations of scientific claims in order to participate knowledgeably in society and make good choices in everyday life? Philosophy of science courses address these and other questions about the nature of scientific reasoning. This includes exploring characteristics of hypotheses in case studies from scientific research, as well as analyzing ideas that have emerged in modern science.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 3601W - Scientific Thought
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3600 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4605 - Space and Time
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4607 - Philosophy of the Biological Sciences
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5601 - History of the Philosophy of Science
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5602 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5603 - Scientific Inquiry
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5605 - Space and Time
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5606 - Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics
(3.0 cr)
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4510/Phil 5510 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4510/Phil 5510 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 3302W/Phil 3322W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 3302W/Phil 3322W |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 3302W/Phil 3322W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4311/Phil 5311 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4331/Phil 5331 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4105W/Phil 5105 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4231/Phil 5231 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4085/Phil 5085 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 3001W/V/3101 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 3005W/V/3105 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4055/Phil 5055 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4010/Phil 5010 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4010/Phil 5010 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4321W/Phil 5321 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4414/Phil 5414 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4605/5605 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4607/Phil 5607 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4605/5605 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |