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Philosophy > Major/Minor Requirements

Major/Minor Requirements

Department of Philosophy

From the 2012-2013 Millsaps Catalog

Mission Statement: As the historical foundation of all academic disciplines, philosophy continues to address the most fundamental and relevant questions of human existence - the knowledge, meaning, nature, and morality of ourselves and the world around us. The mission of the Department of Philosophy at Millsaps College is to provide our students with thorough training in clear and careful reasoning, with thorough training in how to research, organize, and communicate clear and coherent arguments, with a thorough education in the history of philosophy and its core concerns and techniques, and to support the development of a critical commitment to the search for meaning and truth.

Requirements for major: Students may complete a major in philosophy with 37 credit hours, including Logic, History of Philosophy I and II, Senior Planning, and Senior Seminar (PHIL 2900, 3010, 3020, 4901, 4900). One IDST Core topics course taught by an instructor from the Philosophy Department may be used to meet the requirements of the philosophy major. Completion of Heritage may be counted as 4 hours of credit toward the 37 hours. At least 20 credit hours in the major must be taken at Millsaps. A grade of C- or better is required for any course to count toward the major.

Requirements for minor: Students may complete a minor in philosophy with any 16 credit hours from the Philosophy Department. At least 8 of the credit hours for the minor must be taken at Millsaps. Neither Heritage nor Core topics courses count toward the minor. A grade of C- or better is required for any course to count toward the minor.

Requirements for major in Philosophy-Religious Studies: Students may complete a major in philosophy-religious studies with a Philosophy of Religion course (PHIL 3140, PHIL 3150, RLST 3310, or RLST 3320), 20 additional hours in philosophy, and five additional courses in religious studies. The philosophy courses must include both parts of History of Philosophy (PHIL 3010 and 3020). The religious studies courses must include at least two courses representing primary emphasis on Traditions and Arguments (see designations in religious studies course descriptions for how courses ordinarily count) and Religious Studies Seminar (3900 or 4900). Students pursuing this major will be given a specially adapted comprehensive examination by a committee of faculty from the two departments. Each student will choose to follow either the philosophy major or the religious studies major format for comprehensive examinations; when the philosophy format is chosen, Philosophy 4901 and 4900 must be taken. Neither Heritage nor Core topics courses count toward the combined major. A grade of C- or better is required for any philosophy course and a C or better for any religious studies course to count toward the dual major.