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Philosophy
Hood offers major programs in both philosophy and religion. Both of these majors lie at the heart of the humanities and of the liberal arts. Both majors express the important theme that while all of us have our own stories, the purpose of a college education is to enable students to see their individual stories within a larger narrative that encompasses many stories. Acquiring that broadened perspective is, in large part, what it means to be an educated person.
The undergraduate study of philosophy prepares students for graduate and professional study in a surprisingly wide variety of fields. We believe that philosophy is an essential part of the practical training that each student requires. This training is not in a narrow specialty but for life: life as a thoughtful and skilled participant in the world of work, life as a responsible citizen of the larger community, and life as a steward of the manifold riches of the world's great civilizations. We also believe that this major is among the best for students considering graduate and professional schools.
The Philosophy Major
Philosophical study is where students wrestle with the biggest questions
human beings ever consider: being, knowing, right and wrong, truth. This field
has never been more relevant. As they confront quandaries posed by the latest
developments in science and technology, for example, hospital officials have
hired medical ethicists—women and men who hold doctorates in philosophy—to
conduct seminars, develop lecture series, go along on rounds and confer with
physicians and other medical personnel on important questions of life and death.
The truth is, most philosophy majors do not go on to earn doctorates in philosophy, just as most English majors do not become literary critics and most psychology majors do not become psychologists. What good, then, is a major in philosophy for today's undergraduate?
In addition to offering a solid foundation in the history and subdisciplines of philosophy, courses in this major place a high value on clear thinking and effective writing—valuable skills in any career. In fact, graduate schools of arts and sciences as well as law schools, graduate business schools, graduate computer science programs and medical schools all recognize philosophy as an ideal undergraduate major. Admissions officers at these schools look favorably upon philosophy majors; these applicants earn higher-than-average scores on the standardized admissions tests for graduate and professional school. For example, philosophy majors on average have higher LSAT scores than pre-law majors, and they have higher GMAT scores than business majors.
The philosophy major at Hood provides a good basic grounding in the discipline, as well as opportunities for directed research and internships. The major program requires a minimum of 27 credits (nine courses) in philosophy at the 200 level or above. The following seven courses are required of all philosophy majors:
- Contemporary Philosophical Topics OR Philosophical Issues in Feminism
- History of Philosophy I: The Ancient World to the Renaissance
- History of Philosophy II: The Early Modern Era to the Twentieth Century
- Logic
- Ethics
- Indian Thought OR Chinese Thought
- Senior Seminar
These courses provide an overview of the history of Western philosophy from ancient times to the 20th century, covering figures from Plato and Aristotle to Kant, Marx and Kierkegaard, among others. The program also ensures that students receive a solid grounding in critical thinking and modes of ethical inquiry. Reflecting the fact that not all philosophy is Western, this major introduces students to the great traditions of India or China. And finally, a senior seminar provides an intellectual capstone experience.
The philosophy student will also take at least two of the following courses:
- Western Philosophy since 1900
- Great Figures in Western Philosophical Thought
- Professional Ethics
- The American Intellectual Tradition
- Biomedical Ethics
- Modern Religious Thought
- Islam
- Human Nature and Society
- Classical Religion and Philosophy
Internship Opportunities
Philosophy majors often complete internships during their undergraduate
studies to prepare for graduate work and future career paths. Hood philosophy
majors have carried out internships at such organizations as:
- bioethics publishers
- health research institutes
- legislative bodies and government agencies
- hospitals
- businesses
These internships have enabled our students to explore, within a real-world environment, business ethics, medical ethics, and the goals and operations of the political sphere.
Alumnae and Alumni Success Stories
Our recent graduates are pursuing successful careers as lawyers and teachers,
and in business. Departmental majors have gone on to graduate and professional
programs at such universities as Georgetown, The George Washington University, Drew University, Vanderbilt University, the University of
Maryland, Gettysburg Theological Seminary, Virginia Theological Seminary and
MIT.
For complete information in our online catalog, click here.