Philosophy (Minor)

Rossen Ventzislavov, PhD
Coordinator

Philosophy is the most ancient discipline, but it is also the most contemporary. Life today is marked by unbridled progress, political strife, and information overload. Meeting these challenges is impossible without the abstract thinking and conceptual agility of philosophy. Philosophy is inherently inter-disciplinary— it readily engages and informs fields as varied as physics, architecture, history, marketing, mathematics, political science, the arts, etc. Many of today’s hybridized studies—neuroscience, urban planning, medical research, sustainability—actively employ philosophical language and methodology.

We make sense of our world through the pursuit of truth and value. Truth is important as a marker of scientific, historical, and logical fact. It helps us describe the world reliably and engage with it productively. In our continuous attempts to get a handle on the world around us, philosophy provides the fundamental criteria for belief, knowledge, truth, and certainty. The study of value is also essential to our understanding of the human condition. Each statement we make, each action we commit to, and each object we create is charged with ethical and/or aesthetic value. Acquaintance with the principles of philosophical ethics and aesthetics brings us closer to the ideals of civility and refinement. A better person and a better society are only achievable through the educated pursuit of these ideals.

The Philosophy program is fully integrated into the broader university curriculum. The Philosophy minor is designed to provide the basis for undergraduatelevel proficiency in the discipline. The core courses listed are supplemented by a roster of upper-division offerings that involve topical studies and guided research. The Introduction to Philosophy course (PHIL 201) and the Ethical Systems course (PHIL 210) both satisfy University-wide requirements and are designed to have a broader conceptual appeal. In addition to these, the Philosophy program develops upper-division interdisciplinary courses offered as electives to students from other academic departments such as Architecture, Business, Politics and History, Art History, etc.

Student Learning Outcomes

The outcomes listed below represent the projected proficiencies students could expect to acquire through the Philosophy program and its courses.

• The student will demonstrate a broad comprehension of key philosophical terminology, theories, and schools of thought.
• The student will have the ability to use libraries, bibliographies, and periodicals in a scholarly fashion.
• The student will demonstrate facility in reading and understanding both primary and secondary texts of philosophy.
• The student will acquire the basic analytic skills essential to philosophical argumentation.
• The student will develop the ability to evaluate and compare different philosophical positions.
• The student will demonstrate understanding of the philosophical implications of language and behavior.
• The student will engage in written philosophical analysis.
• The student will acquire written and oral communication skills through engagement in philosophical discussion.
• The student will demonstrate the ability to apply logical methods and critical thinking to different topics of interest.

Curriculum Summary

Art History Minor Curriculum

Students must complete two courses: ARTH 2__ (Lower Division Art History Course).

Students must complete three courses from the following options: ARTH 331, ARTH 332, ARTH 333, ARTH 334, ARTH 337, ARTH 338, ARTH 339, ARTH 340, ARTH 341, ARTH 342, ARTH 343, ARTH (Topics in Art History), and ARTH 375.

ARTH 2__	Lower Division Art History Course	3
ARTH 2__	Lower Division Art History Course	3
ARTH 331	History of Modern Painting	3
ARTH 332	History of Photography	3
ARTH 333	History of Land Art	3
ARTH 334	Curatorial Studies: Theory and Criticism	3
ARTH 337	Video Art: Blurred History, Theory, Practice	3
ARTH 338	History of Performance Art	3
ARTH 339	History of Art and Violence	3
ARTH 340	History of Zombie Films, Art, Literature	3
ARTH 341	History of Avant-Garde Film	3
ARTH 342	Art Theory and Practice	3
ARTH 343	History Digital Art and Electronic Media	3
ARTH 37_	Topics in Art History	3
ARTH 375	Field Experience	3
Total Credit Hours:		15