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Philosophy
Webster's Third New International Dictionary lists thirteen distinct definitions of the word philosophy, but for the average person, two definitions of philosophy serve best. In one sense, a philosophy is a set of fundamental beliefs. In another, more academic sense, philosophy is a critical examination both of those fundamental beliefs themselves and of the grounds for them.
Overview
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By the numbers
- 14
- Faculty in the philosophy department who have a PhD in their field
- 2+
- Annual lecture series sponsored by the philosophy department
Calvin's philosophy department offers a program widely recognized as one of the finest undergraduate philosophy programs in the nation. In philosophy classes, you?ll pursue a tradition of strenuous, systematic thought, lay hold of its insights and grapple with its conclusions. In the process, you will clarify not only what you believe, but why you believe it.
Careers in Philosophy
- CEO
- Author
- Editor
- Professor
- Public Relations Administrator
See job placement rates for Calvin grads.
Student involvement
Attend annual seminars and conferences like the Jellema lecture series sponsored by the philosophy department; write for the Chimes; join in on the student-led Philosophy Symposium where students engage in philosophical discourse.
Course Requirements 2012-13
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Current students please download your course catalog for complete degree requirements.
Philosophy major
(33 semester hours)
- PHIL-153 Fundamental Questions in Philosophy
- One course from:
- PHIL-205 Ethics
- One course from:
- PHIL-251 History of Western Philosophy I
- PHIL-252 History of Western Philosophy II
- One course from:
- One-300-level historical course:
- One-200-level systematic course:
- PHIL-201 Philosophy of Social Science
- PHIL-202 Law, Politics, and Legal Practice
- PHIL-203 Understanding Natural Science: Its Nature, Status, and Limits
- PHIL-204 God and Philosophy
- PHIL-207 Justice and the Common Good: Studies in Political Philosophy
- PHIL-208 Philosophy of the Arts and Culture
- PHIL-211 Philosophy of Gender
- PHIL-212 Ethical Dimensions of Health Care
- PHIL-215 Business Ethics
- PHIL-225 Chinese Thought and Culture
- PHIL-226 African Thought and Culture
- or a 300-level with permission
- One-300-level systematic course:
- PHIL-318 Minds, Brains, and Persons
- PHIL-365 Ethical Theory
- PHIL-371 Epistemology
- PHIL-375 Philosophical Anthropology
- PHIL-378 Philosophy of Language and Interpretation
- PHIL-381 Advanced Logic
- PHIL-390 A Science and Religion
- PHIL-390 B Readings and Research
- PHIL-395 can fill this requirement
- One course from:
Philosophy—double major
(27 semester hours)
- PHIL-153 Fundamental Questions in Philosophy
- One course from:
- PHIL-205 Ethics
- PHIL-251 History of Western Philosophy I
- PHIL-252 History of Western Philosophy II
- One course from:
- One-200-level systematic course:
- PHIL-201 Philosophy of Social Science
- PHIL-202 Law, Politics, and Legal Practice
- PHIL-203 Understanding Natural Science: Its Nature, Status, and Limits
- PHIL-204 God and Philosophy
- PHIL-207 Justice and the Common Good: Studies in Political Philosophy
- PHIL-208 Philosophy of the Arts and Culture
- PHIL-211 Philosophy of Gender
- PHIL-212 Ethical Dimensions of Health Care
- PHIL-215 Business Ethics
- PHIL-225 Chinese Thought and Culture
- PHIL-226 African Thought and Culture
- or a 300-level with permission
- One-300-level systematic course:
- PHIL-318 Minds, Brains, and Persons
- PHIL-365 Ethical Theory
- PHIL-371 Epistemology
- PHIL-375 Philosophical Anthropology
- PHIL-378 Philosophy of Language and Interpretation
- PHIL-381 Advanced Logic
- PHIL-390 A Science and Religion
- PHIL-390 B Readings and Research
- PHIL-395 Philosophy Topics: Problems in Systematic Philosophy
- One philosophy elective
Philosophy minor
(18 semester hours)
Scholarships
Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.
- Bouwsma Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,850
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need not required
- apply through the philosophy department
- Reverend Bernard Haven Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,200
- first-year
- HS GPA 3.0+
- financial need considered; child of missionary
- submit a letter to the Financial Aid Office (finaid@calvin.edu) describing your qualifications by February 1
- Kenneth J. Konyndyk, Jr. Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,500
- senior
- GPA of 3.5+
- financial need not required
- apply through the philosophy department
- Alan and Jan Pauw Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,400
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required; majoring in history, philosophy, or a foreign language
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Clarence and Janice Walhout Scholarship
-
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Martin P. and Florence DeGraaff Wiebenga Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- sophomore, junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required
- automatic consideration
- Dr. Bernard Zylstra, S.J.D., Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,600
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need not required
- apply through the history department, the philosophy department or the political science department
Faculty
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