DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY (PHL)

Professor James Otteson, Chairperson
Office: 239 ten Hoor Hall

Requirements for the major in philosophy. The major in philosophy requires 30 hours including PHL 101 or PHL 103, 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 advisor that they wish to do so. They may also be invited to enroll by members of the department's faculty.

The mind and brain track. This sequence of courses is designed for students who are interested in philosophical questions regarding the nature and functioning of the mind, of consciousness, and of the brain. Students majoring in psychology, communication, English, computer science, and anthropology will find that the mind and brain track makes philosophy an attractive minor or second major. The mind and brain track is comprised of the following six courses, each of which is offered on a regular basis:

Students who complete all six mind and brain track courses may qualify for the minor in philosophy. Students who complete the mind and brain track and also complete PHL 201, PHL 251, and two additional PHL courses may qualify for the major in philosophy.

The philosophical foundations of civil society track. This series of courses will center on issues at the confluence of philosophy, law, and economics, with an emphasis on the American tradition in jurisprudence and political economics. It aims to prepare students for graduate studies in philosophy, law, or economics, or for careers in public policy.

Among the questions the philosophical foundations of civil society track will address are: What is justice? What kind of government should we have? What should the government's aims be? What kind of allegiance do citizens owe to their government? Should they be willing to die for it? What is more important—individual liberty or the public good? What is good leadership or statesmanship?

The philosophical foundations of civil society track includes the following courses:

Students who complete philosophical foundations of civil society track by taking six courses as specified above may qualify for the minor in philosophy. Students who complete the philosophical foundations of civil society track and also complete PHL 101 or PHL 103, PHL 251, and two other PHL courses may qualify for the major in philosophy.

The prelaw track. 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.

Interested students may take all six courses or any part of the sequence. Those who take all six may qualify for the 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 Course Hours PHL 100 3 EN 101 3 MATH1 3 Natural science 4 Foreign language or computer science 3–4 ___ 16–17		Second Semester Course Hours PHL 101 3 EN 102 3 Natural science 4 Foreign language or computer science 3–4 History2 3 ___ 16–17
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester Course Hours PHL 201 3 EN 205 or EN 2092 3 Social and behavioral sciences2 3 Computer science or elective 3 Fine arts2 3 ___ 15		Second Semester Course Hours PHL 251 3 EN 206 or EN 2102 3 Social and behavioral sciences2 3 Minor 3 Elective 3 ___ 15
JUNIOR YEAR3
First Semester Course Hours Philosophy elective, 300 or 400 level 3 Philosophy elective 3 History or social and behavioral sciences2 3 Minor 3 Elective 3 ___ 15		Second Semester Course Hours Philosophy elective, 300 or 400 level 3 Minor 6 Humanities2 3 Elective 3 ___ 15
SENIOR YEAR3
First Semester Course Hours Philosophy elective, 300 or 400 level 3 Philosophy elective 3 Minor 6 Elective 3 ___ 15		Second Semester Course Hours Philosophy elective, 300 or 400 level 3 Minor 6 Electives 6 ___ 15   Total: At least 120