2025-2026 Gordon College Academic Catalog 
  
    Jul 04, 2025  
2025-2026 Gordon College Academic Catalog

Philosophy (B.A.)


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Majors and minors receive a comprehensive introduction to the discipline by completing our Foundational Courses that acquaint students with important historical and topical issues in philosophy. The former focus on the development of philosophical theories, controversies and movements. The latter center on systematic questions in epistemology, metaphysics, logic, ethics and the philosophy of religion.

Majors build upon these foundational courses by completing a specific concentration of their choosing: Political Theory; Law; Justice, Peace and Conflict; Language and Linguistics; or Philosophy and Religion.

Students are encouraged to participate in Global Education programs, including a semester at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Please see your advisor or the Global Education Office for more information. 

The program provides the foundation for further study in philosophy and other disciplines and professions, including preparation for graduate studies at major universities and professional schools in theology, law, government, diplomacy and business.

Language, Knowledge and Reality (4 credits):


One of the following. Note that PHI 310 and PHI 413  may count here or in the Philosophy and Religion concentration, but not both.

Concentrations


In addition, majors choose from one of the concentrations below. All concentrations consist of 16 credits. A maximum of two concentrations is allowed; only one capstone experience will be required for students with two concentrations.

  

 

  

  

  

Honors in Philosophy


For students who wish to pursue Honors in Philosophy, recommended for any student thinking of pursuing graduate studies, the capstone course for the concentration will be replaced by 8 credits of work developing and writing an honor’s thesis that will be defended before the department and prepared for publication in an appropriate scholarly journal. In order to be eligible for honors, a student must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 within the major and 3.0 overall.

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