Philosophy, B.A.

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Philosophical training helps students to reason well, make thoughtful distinctions, and analyze difficult and abstract ideas. Philosophy prizes clear thinking, rational judgment, and careful arguments-all in the pursuit of truth. Unsurprisingly, philosophy provides excellent training for a wide variety of careers within business, law, and medicine. As technology continues to advance, and as artificial intelligence and automation transform the workplace of tomorrow, the technical skills of today may not be required tomorrow. But the ability to think well is never out of fashion.

Christian philosophy helps us understand and defend the faith and also offers us a Christian conception of human flourishing. When the Apostle Paul was in Athens, he spoke with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Christians today continue that conversation, for the sake of the Church and for the world. Many philosophers have become voices for the Church in their own right (e.g. Augustine and Aquinas) and faithful philosophical engagement with important ideas has the power to transform the Church and our world even today.

Philosophy resembles mathematics, in its rigor and clarity; history, in its sensitivity to people and ideas across cultures and ages; and literature, in its concern for articulate expression. Philosophy majors are thus well positioned to pursue careers immediately after graduation or graduate school in philosophy, theology, history, ministry, law, and medicine.

Student Learning Outcomes

The philosophy program at JBU teaches specific philosophical content both in the history of philosophy and contemporary analytical philosophy. Philosophy is taught in such a way that students learn to read carefully, think critically, write well, and speak clearly. Consequently, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy has the following student learning outcomes for its classes:

Students will be able to create and defend an original argument after careful analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Students will be able to think creatively and abstractly by devising proofs.
Students will be able to communicate meaningful ideas orally.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with major in Philosophy

University Core Curriculum - 42 hours

Program requirements satisfy 6 of the 48 hours in the Core Curriculum.

Six hours of the Arts and Humanities elective area are satisfied by two of the following: BBL 3413 , BBL 3423 , BBL 3433 , BBL 3443 , BBL 3453 , BBL 3463 , BBL 3473 , BBL 3613 , BBL 3623 , BBL 3633 , BBL 3663 , POL 3003 , PHL 2103 , PHL 2323 , PHL 2423 , PHL 2483 , PHL 3343 , PHL 3353 , PHL 4433 , PHL 4483 , REL 3523 , REL 3533 , REL 3553 .
The Intercultural Engagement elective area can be also satisfied by REL 3523 , REL 3533 , or REL 3553 ; these courses cannot fulfill both the Arts and Humanities and Intercultural Engagement requirement however.

Core Curriculum Courses

Required Major Core Courses - 18 hours

PHL 2323 Logic (On Campus)
PHL 2423 Ethics (On Campus and Online)
PHL 3343 Ancient & Medieval Philosophy (On Campus)
PHL 3353 Modern Philosophy (On Campus)
PHL 4433 Philosophy of Religion (On Campus)

One of the following

PHL 2483 Selected Topics (On Campus)
PHL 4483 Selected Topics (On Campus)

Electives in Philosophy/Religious Studies - 21 hours

Twenty-one hours from the following, nine of which must be upper division course work.

Note: If PHL 2483 is used to satisfy the Major Core requirement, it cannot be taken again as an elective for the major.

Note: PHL 4483 may be repeated for elective credit if a different topic is chosen.

BBL 3373 The Church in a Global Context (On Campus)
BBL 3413 New Testament Book Study: The Gospel of John (On Campus)
BBL 3423 New Testament Book Study: The Synoptic Gospels (On Campus)
BBL 3433 New Testament Book Study: The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles (On Campus)
BBL 3443 New Testament Book Study: The Letters of Paul (On Campus)
BBL 3453 New Testament Book Study: Hebrews (On Campus)
BBL 3463 New Testament Book Study: The Book of Revelation (On Campus)
BBL 3473 New Testament Book Study: Parables of Jesus (On Campus)
BBL 3613 Old Testament Book Study: The Pentateuch (On Campus)
BBL 3623 Old Testament Book Study: Historical Books of the Old Testament (On Campus)
BBL 3633 Old Testament Book Study: Old Testament Poetry and Wisdom (On Campus)
BBL 3663 Old Testament Book Study: Prophets (On Campus)
BBL 3873 Selected Topics in Theology (On Campus)
CMF 2213 Christian Leadership and Service (On Campus)
EGL 3713 Literary Theory (On Campus)
PHL 2103 Introduction to Philosophy (On Campus and Online)
PHL 2483 Selected Topics (On Campus)
PHL 3013 Political Philosophy (On Campus)
PHL 4483 Selected Topics (On Campus)
PPE 2113 Philosophy, Politics and Economics I (On Campus)
PPE 2133 Philosophy, Politics and Economics II (On Campus)
REL 3523 Introduction to Hinduism (On Campus)
REL 3533 Introduction to Islam (On Campus)
REL 3553 Introduction to Buddhism (On Campus)

Second major, additional minor field, area of interest, or electives as necessary to complete minimum total hours

This academic program requires 39 elective credits. Under federal regulations, financial aid is generally limited to course work that applies to your declared program of study. Courses outside your program requirements, including excess electives, may not be eligible for financial aid. Adding a double major, double degree, minor(s), specialization(s), an Accelerated Master’s Program, or making other changes, may impact the number of elective credits that will be covered by financial aid. Please review your degree plan and consult with your academic advisor prior to registering for any course that is not required for your program of study. Courses not covered by financial aid are the financial responsibility of the student.

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