UA Catalog 2002-04: Department of Philosophy

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY (PHL)

Professor Norvin Richards, Chairperson
Office: 239 ten Hoor Hall

Requirements for the major in philosophy. The major in philosophy requires 30 hours including PHL 101, PHL 201, PHL 251, and 12 hours of philosophy courses at the 300 or 400 level. A minimum of 12 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.

Requirements for the minor in philosophy. The minor in philosophy requires 18 hours including 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.

Honors in philosophy. Designed for the especially able student, regardless of whether he or she intends to do graduate work in philosophy or has other plans, this program offers the opportunity to pursue a philosophical topic further than the seminar format permits. It also provides recognition both for having done a greater proportion of one's classes at the advanced level and for sustained outstanding achievement in all courses.

Those who graduate with honors in philosophy must meet the following requirements:

complete 36 hours in philosophy
complete at least 18 of those hours at the 300 or 400 level
achieve a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses in philosophy and at least 3.3 overall
write and be examined on a substantial philosophical essay. The senior essay can be either a new project or the significant revision and further development of a paper submitted for a seminar. In either case, the topic for the senior essay is to be approved by a member of the faculty, who will be available to critique drafts in progress. Standardly, the senior essay is to be completed by December 1 of the student's senior year. Upon completion of the final draft, a committee of the faculty will examine the student orally on it. A student who is also enrolled in the University Honors Program can count his or her senior essay in philosophy as completing the honors thesis in that program.

Students may enroll in honors in philosophy by informing the department's undergraduate adviser that they wish to do so. They may also be invited to enroll by members of the department's faculty.

The pre-law package. This sequence of courses is of particular interest to those students considering careers in the law or in politics. It is designed in part to enhance preparation for the LSAT, but more importantly to provide Alabama undergraduates a uniquely rich exploration of the deeper questions about the law. The sequence includes the following courses, at least one of which is offered every semester.

PHL 101 Deductive Logic or PHL 103 Honors Deductive Logic
PHL 220 Political Philosophy
PHL 225 Philosophical Issues in Criminal Law
PHL 226 Philosophical Issues in Civil Law
PHL 227 Philosophical Issues in Constitutional Law
PHL 412 Philosophy of Law

Interested students may take all six courses or any part of the sequence. Those who take all six can complete a minor in philosophy by taking one further course at the 300 or 400 level.

Awards. The Marten and Marie ten Hoor Prize and the Iredell Jenkins Endowed Memorial Scholarship are awarded by the department each spring.

A Suggested Sequence of Courses for the Philosophy Major

FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester		Second Semester
Course	Hours	Course	Hours
PHL 100	3	PHL 101	3
EN 101	3	EN 102	3
MATH³	3	Natural science	4
Natural science	4	Foreign language or computer science	3-4
Foreign language or computer science	3-4	History¹	3
	___		___
	16-17		16-17

SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester		Second Semester
Course	Hours	Course	Hours
PHL 201	3	PHL 251	3
EN 225	3	EN 226 or EN 227	3
Social and behavioral sciences¹	3	Social and behavioral sciences¹	3
Computer science or elective	3	Minor	3
Fine arts¹	3	Elective	3
	___		___
	15		15

JUNIOR YEAR²
First Semester		Second Semester
Course	Hours	Course	Hours
Philosophy elective, 300 or 400 level	3	Philosophy elective, 300 or 400 level	3
Philosophy elective	3	Minor	6
History or social and behavioral sciences¹	3	Humanities¹	3
Minor	3	Elective	3
Elective	3		___
	___		15
	15

SENIOR YEAR²
First Semester		Second Semester
Course	Hours	Course	Hours
Philosophy elective, 300 or 400 level	3	Philosophy elective, 300 or 400 level	3
Philosophy elective	3	Minor	6
Minor	6	Electives	6
Elective	3		___
	___		15
	15

Total: At least 120

¹A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
²Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
³MATH course number is determined by placement. MATH 110 or higher is required.