The Philosophy Major

Students majoring in philosophy must successfully complete the following requirements (36 credits):

One course in logic: PHL 176

Two courses in ethics, from among the following:
PHL 201, PHL 205, PHL 231, PHL 237, PHL 243, PHL 254, PHL 276

Four courses from the history sequence:
PHL 216, PHL 217, PHL 219, PHL 221, PHL 223, PHL 226, PHL 260

Five 200- or 300-level electives; three of these must be at the 300 level (one 100-level philosophy course, except for Logic, may replace a 200-level elective.)

Writing Proficiency Requirement for Philosophy Major
Each student is required to produce a substantial amount of writing throughout her/his years as a philosophy major. We recognize however that not all course papers rise to the level of excellence. Consequently, we require that each student demonstrate that this excellence has been achieved either:
1. By having a paper published, for instance, in an undergraduate journal, in a campus essay magazine, or in another peer-reviewed forum.
2. By enrolling in a philosophy course that incorporates a revision process for the final essay-ideally this would include a peer-to-peer workshop component as well.
3. By writing a senior thesis.
4. By assembling, in the senior year, a writing portfolio which will include three of the student’s best papers written on a philosophical topic during his or her years at Goucher. This portfolio will be submitted for review to the student’s
advisor no later that March 1 of the senior year (or October 1, in the case of a December graduation).