2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Philosophy
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Faculty
Chair
Jessica Pfeifer
Associate Professor
Michael 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
Assistant Professor
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
Mark Hopwood
B.A., The Queen’s College, University of Oxford, 2004; B.Phil., Christ Church College, University of Oxford, 2007; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 2014
Joonho Lee
B.A., Yonsei University (Seoul, Korea), 2016; M.A., Yonsei University (Seoul, Korea), 2018; Ph.D., University of Utah, 2024
Associate Teaching Professor
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 Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1994; 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 (1945-2026)
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
Steven Yalowitz
B.A., Oberlin College, 1983; Ph.D., Columbia University, 1991
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, expository, and critical thinking skills. Philosophy majors tend to do very well in these areas and perform substantially better than average on graduate admissions tests, and among the highest of all majors on the LSATs, GREs, MCATs, and GMATs. In recent years, graduates of the philosophy program have been admitted for graduate study in top programs 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 majors and non-majors 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.
Interdisciplinary Certificates
Philosophy also houses two interdisciplinary certificates:
The Human Context of Science and Technology Certificate provides interdisciplinary training to help students gain a deeper understanding of science and technology and its human context. The Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law Certificate involves the interdisciplinary study of social, political, and ethical problems related to the economy.
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 and PHIL 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.
Pre-law Advising
The philosophy major offers strong preparation for students interested in law school and law related professions. Philosophy majors have among the highest scores on the LSAT and acceptance rates into law school. In addition to the major and minor, the department also offers a Philosophy, Law, and Politics Certificate , as well as the interdisciplinary Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law Certificate . Courses in logic, such as PHIL 146 and PHIL 346 , offer good preparation for the LSAT. PHIL 240 offers good preparation for argumentation and public speaking, both important skills for the legal profession. The philosophy department also offers supplemental pre-law advising to philosophy students considering law school.
The philosophy major offers strong preparation for students interested in medical school and health related professions. Humanities majors have among the highest scores on the MCAT, and the philosophy major provides excellent training in several of the core competencies recommended by the Association of American Medical Colleges, especially ethical responsibility, critical thinking, oral communication, and written communication. In addition to the major and minor, the department also offers several certificates relevant for students interested in pursuing a degree in a medical field: Philosophy, Ethics, and Value Certificate ; Philosophy of Mind and Psychology Certificate ; and Philosophy, Logic, and Science Certificate . Students might also consider pursuing the interdisciplinary certificate in the Human Context of Science and Technology Certificate . The philosophy department also offers supplemental pre-med advising to philosophy students considering pursuing a medical degree to help guide them in the best philosophy courses for pre-medical training.
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.
UMBC Ethics Bowl Team The Philosophy Department sponsors the UMBC Ethics Bowl team, which holds weekly meetings and training sessions and also competes in regional and national tournaments. The meetings involve preparing responses to a set of challenging, real-world cases of moral conflict. Team members develop rhetorical, critical reasoning, and public speaking skills while considering fundamental and timely ethical questions.
ProgramsMajorMinorCertificateCoursesPhilosophyPhilosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law
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