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Studying philosophy at Birmingham-Southern means confronting the essential questions of the human experience: What is the nature of our existence? How do we know this life? What does it matter? But students will also take a personal journey even while they explore the most profound ideas of the past 2,500 years.
Along the way, students will practice the fine art of critical thinking, learn how to make a compelling argument, and hone their abilities to write and analyze—all skills tomorrow’s employers are seeking.
While many of our students pursue philosophy in graduate school, most take on other professions such as medicine, the law, theology, and psychology. Regardless of the path you choose when you leave BSC, philosophy will prepare you to do more than succeed. We’ll prepare you to make a difference.
Interested? Fill out the form to the right and an admissions representative will follow up with you to start your Hilltop journey.
Chart your course with BSC Philosophy!
Why study Philosophy at BSC?
- Our small department means students will work closely with their peers and professors, challenging each other to think more deeply than they ever imagined. students will participate in collaborative and independent research projects.
- Spend our unique January Exploration Term venturing beyond the basics of Plato and Aristotle to look at contemporary subjects through a philosophical lens. Whether it’s examining the role of atheism in our society, analyzing the philosophy of film, or looking at the lyrics of Led Zeppelin, there’s always something new to learn.
- Combine philosophy with religion, politics, or economics in our interdisciplinary majors, or create your own major that lets you study the foundations of human thought even as you explore another field, from biology to business.
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Learning Outcomes
Collegiate courses in philosophy are invitations to modern undergraduates to participate in this intellectual heritage and to develop analytical techniques essential to it. Upon completion of the philosophy major, students will be able to
- make appropriate use of scholarly literature relevant to the topic in defense of a thesis,
- sympathetically articulate the views of scholarly literature which present arguments that run contrary to a thesis,
- construct a cogent argument in defense of a thesis,
- write in a clear and well-organized manner in defense of a thesis,
- speak in a clear and well-organized manner in defense of a thesis.
For more information, including a full list of courses, consult the College Catalog.
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Success Stories
BSC philosophy majors graduate prepared to meet and overcome the inevitable challenges. They have found remarkable success in a wide variety of fields.
20% of our students have gone to graduate school in philosophy
53% of our students have pursued advanced degrees in areas other than philosophy, including:
Law
Medicine
Theology
Psychology
BiologyOthers are currently working in the non-profit sector, nursing, and teaching in elementary school.
“Majoring in philosophy is great preparation for graduate school in any number of different fields. No other major will make you a better critical thinker, logical arguer, or more thorough researcher and writer. You will be prepared to outperform your peers on any standardized test you need for the next step. Even if you do not pursue philosophy professionally, you will bring creativity, openness, and a passion for learning into whatever field you pursue.”
--Chase Seaver ’11
M.S. Finance at Vanderbilt, Investment Banking Analyst at Raymond James -
Faculty
Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Office: Berte Humanities Center 220
Email: [email protected]