2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Philosophy
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Faculty
Chair
Steven Yalowitz
Associate Professor
Jerome Nance
B.A., Hendrix College, 2004; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 2011
Jessica Pfeifer
B.A., Wesleyan University, 1991; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego, 1999
Whitney Schwab
B.A., Cornell University, 2005; Ph.D., Princeton University, 2013
Steven Yalowitz
B.A., Oberlin College, 1983; Ph.D., Columbia University, 1991
Assistant Professor
Eric Campbell
B.A., University of Texas, Austin, 2000; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego, 2012
Lisa Cassell
B.Comm., Concordia University (Canada), 2007; M.A., The University of Western Ontario (Canada), 2008; Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2017
Blake Francis
B.A., Northern Arizona University, 2000; M.A., University of Montana, 2009; Ph.D., Stanford University, 2017
Lecturer
Greg Ealick
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1989; M.A., Rice University, 2000
James Thomas
B.A., University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1992; M.A., University of Washington, Seattle, 1996
Professor Emeritu
Evelyn M. Barker (1927-2003)
B.A. Wheaton College, 1948; Ph.D., Harvard University, 1956
Stephen E. Braude
B.A., Oberlin College, 1967; M.A., University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1970; Ph.D., 1971
John Titchener
B.A. Kenyon College, 1958; Ph.D., Ohio State University, 1966
Courses in this program are listed under PHIL.
The Philosophy, B.A. and Philosophy Minor emphasize critical analysis, problem-solving and the formulation and evaluation of arguments in oral and written contexts. Philosophy students learn to think logically and critically about their most fundamental beliefs, attitudes, and values. The major also introduces students to a range of traditional philosophical issues and provides an opportunity to read carefully the works of some of the greatest thinkers in history.
Career and Academic Paths
The discipline provides a solid foundation for graduate study and work in professions requiring analytic, conceptual, and expository skills. Philosophy majors tend to do very well in these areas and perform substantially better than average on graduate admissions tests. In recent years, graduates of the philosophy program have been admitted for graduate study in a variety of disciplines, including law, medicine, and philosophy.
Academic Advising
All students in the department are advised by full-time members of the philosophy faculty. Normally, the advising coordinator assists the student in the selection of a faculty advisor whose interests are similar to those of the student.
Philosophy Upper Division Certificate Program
Philosophy Upper Division Certificates are for students (who need not be philosophy majors or minors) with specialized interests within philosophy. They involve completing four thematically linked upper division philosophy courses. The certificates are in the following fields:
Completion of a certificate gives students a deeper understanding of specialized fields. It also aids students in graduate exam testing. Philosophy students score highest of all majors on the LSATs, GREs, and GMATs. Completion of certificates enhances graduate school and job applications in many different fields connected with certificate themes. Certificates are noted separately on UMBC transcripts.
Honors Program
The Honors Program in Philosophy enables philosophy majors to receive the B.A. in Philosophy with Honors by successfully completing a two-semester independent study (PHIL 405-406) of an approved topic during the senior year, culminating in the production of a research paper of roughly 30-50 pages. The point of the Honors Program is to provide an opportunity for eligible students to pursue the study of a philosophical topic in depth and engage in original research. Typically this topic will be in an area in which the student has done upper division Philosophy course work, and will develop a paper that they have written in such a course.
Special Opportunities
Independent studies at the 400 level, taught by faculty in their areas of expertise and research, are available to students with appropriate interests and preparation.
Student Organizations
Philosophers Anonymous Council of Majors Philosophers Anonymous is the undergraduate philosophy society that is organized as a student club with the support of the Student Government Association and the Department of Philosophy. The group encourages membership from all those interested in philosophy and supports student receptions, lectures by philosophers from UMBC and other institutions, as well as student discussion groups and debates between and among students and members of the faculty on various topics of contemporary interest. Philosophers Anonymous acts as a council of majors and represents the interests of the students to the department.
ProgramsMajorMinorCertificateCoursesPhilosophy
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