Overview

Philosophy asks questions about the nature of reality, knowledge, and human conduct, among other issues. The questions raised are often very difficult and have had a long history. By teaching students how to thoughtfully read, write, and speak about these questions, the Minor in Philosophy enables its students to coherently, clearly, and critically engage many of the hardest problems humanity has ever confronted.

Mission

The Minor in Philosophy at LAU is devoted to graduate students who are able to critically and analytically engage with a wide variety of difficult issues clearly and reflectively, and in a way that is applicable to their professional and personal lives. It fosters an open-minded, tolerant, and receptive outlook on the human condition, while also teaching students how to be responsible and ethical members of society.

Program Objectives

The Minor in Philosophy aims to

1. teach students how to clearly understand and formulate arguments in philosophy and other domains,
2. foster a moral outlook in students with the aim of allowing them to negotiate life and career situations responsibly, and
3. provide students with the resources to understand their major area of study critically and reflectively.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Minor in Philosophy, students will

1. demonstrate a basic familiarity with philosophical ideas and the different domains of philosophy,
2. speak and write persuasively with an emphasis on formulating and critiquing arguments, and
3. assess everyday and workplace situations from a moral perspective.

Curriculum

Students graduating with a Minor in Philosophy must complete 18 credits as per the following:

• Core Courses (6 cr)
• Elective Courses (12)

Core Courses (6 cr)

Logic/Ethics (3 cr)

• PHL211 Symbolic Logic (3 cr)
• PHL301 Ethics (3 cr)

History (3 cr)

• PHL201 Ancient Philosophy (3 cr)
• PHL202 Medieval Philosophy (3 cr)
• PHL203 Early Modern Philosophy (3 cr)
• PHL204 Modern Philosophy (3 cr)
• PHL328 Arab and Islamic Philosophy (3 cr)

Elective Courses (12 cr)

• PHL210 Critical and Creative Thinking (3 cr)
• PHL211 Symbolic Logic (3 cr)
• PHL201 Ancient Philosophy: From the Presocratics to the Epicureans and the Stoics (3 cr)
• PHL202 Medieval Philosophy: From Plotinus to Ockham (3 cr)
• PHL203 Early Modern Philosophy: From Montaigne to Kant (3 cr)
• PHL204 Modern Philosophy: From Hegel to Heidegger and/or Frege to Wittgenstein (3 cr)
• PHL301 Ethics (3 cr)
• PHL302 Theory of Knowledge 3 cr)
• PHL303 Metaphysics (3 cr)
• PHL311 Philosophy of Religion (3 cr)
• PHL321 Philosophy of Art (3 cr)
• PHL322 Philosophy in Literature and Film (3 cr)
• PHL323 Philosophy of History (3 cr)
• PHL324 Philosophy of Science (3 cr)
• PHL325 Philosophy of Mind (3 cr)
• PHL326 Social and Political Philosophy (3 cr)
• PHL327 Philosophy and Mythology (3 cr)
• PHL328 Arab and Islamic Philosophy (3 cr)
• PHL350a Individual Philosopher (3 cr)
• PHL350b Individual Philosopher (3 cr)