UIS Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic Year 2004 - 2005

PHILOSOPHY
Bachelor of Arts, Undergraduate Minor

Faculty John Barker, Peter (Piotr) Boltuc, Peter Wenz
Emeritus Faculty Larry Shiner
Adjunct Faculty Royce Jones

Contact: (217) 206-6779
phi@uis.edu or www.uis.edu/philosophy

Students are urged to consult the program webpage for the most current information and for additional information on the online program.

The Philosophy program at UIS strives to be a national leader in offering advanced undergraduate education online while serving our on-campus honors program and the whole UIS student population, graduate and undergraduate. The program focuses on the areas of core analytic philosophy (philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and related areas) and values (ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy) while providing a sound background in the history of philosophy.

The Bachelor’s Degree
The baccalaureate program in Philosophy is offered online and on-campus. Courses for the degree can be taken entirely online within three years. Students who take the major on-campus may need to take both evening and day classes as well as some classes online. Due to the high demand, online enrollment is competitive. The admissions process to the online major takes quality and diversity into account.

The objectives of the philosophy major include providing students with basic knowledge in the main areas of philosophy (theory of knowledge, values, and history of philosophy); increasing their awareness of ethical issues; improving their analytical skills; and assisting them in developing problem-solving experience in at least one of the main areas of philosophy. Consistent with these objectives, the minimum distribution requirements are as follows.

Prerequisites  In order to make an informed choice of their major, students must take at least two classes (no less than 6 hours) as prerequisites for the major: the critical thinking (PHI 301) or logic prerequisite and the general prerequisite (any other class in philosophy). In some cases, students may be conditionally accepted into the major and fulfill the prerequisites within their first year in the program. For Capital Scholars students, the humanities section counts as the general prerequisite. Prerequisites do not count toward the 36 hours required for the major.

Matriculation module  Students must take the matriculation module in order to gain general information both about philosophy and studying philosophy online. It also allows the program to conduct necessary assessment activities. This module must be completed before the last 16 semester hours of Philosophy courses are taken.

Three main areas of study  Students must take a minimum of two classes in the following three areas: core analytical philosophy, history of philosophy, and values.

a.  In order to gain a comprehensive outlook on the history of philosophy, students have to take one class in ancient and medieval philosophy (such as PHI 422 Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, 4 Hrs.) and one class in the history of modern philosophy (such as PHI 425 History of Modern Philosophy, 4 Hrs.) or program approved comprehensive equivalents. 

b.  In order to gain familiarity with value theory, students are required to take at least two classes (4 hours) in the areas or ethics, aesthetics, or political philosophy. This includes a minimum of two hours devoted specifically to ethics, satisfied by PHI 440 Ethical Theory or an equivalent approved by the program.

c.  In order to gain analytical skills, students must take at least two classes (8 hours) in the area of core philosophy, such as philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, analytical metaphysics, and logic.

Area of specialization  Currently, students may specialize in the area of core analytic philosophy or in the area of values. In addition to the eight hours required of all majors, students specializing in either core analytic philosophy (Area 1) or values (Area 3) must take one advanced class in the area of specialization and a senior seminar associated with the chosen area of specialization.  Students should note that advanced courses have at least 4 hours of Area 1 or Area 3 courses as prerequisites.

Philosophy elective  In order to gain a broad philosophical perspective, every student needs to take 4 hours of philosophy electives (an extra class in any area of philosophy, including topics not covered in the main major, such as continental, feminist, or Asian philosophy; American pragmatism; or philosophy of religion).

UIS Requirements and General Electives
To complete their baccalaureate education, Philosophy majors are required to meet upper-division university requirements (public affairs colloquia, liberal studies colloquia, applied study) and must take 12 hours of general electives, at least 6 of which must be in areas outside Philosophy.

The overall structure of the curriculum is as follows.

Degree Requirements
Prerequisites
General (any class in philosophy or a Capital Scholars Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences course) 3 Hrs.
PHI 301 Critical Thinking (or equivalent course in critical thinking or logic) 3 Hrs.
Total 6 Hrs.

Bachelor’s Degree
Matriculation module 0 Hrs.
Area 1 (core) 8 Hrs.
Area 2 (history of philosophy) 8 Hrs.
Area 3 (values) 8 Hrs.
Advanced class in specialization 4 Hrs.
Capstone seminar (in specialization) 4 Hrs.
PHI 490 Senior Seminar in Value Theory or PHI 495 Senior
Seminar in Core Analytic Philosophy 4 Hrs.
Philosophy elective (any PHI class) 4 Hrs.
Sub-total  36 Hrs.

UIS requirements 12 Hrs.
General electives (at least 6 hours outside philosophy) 12 Hrs.
Total 60 Hrs.

Admission to the Online Program
Students must complete an application for admission to undergraduate study at UIS, including submission of all college transcripts. In addition, for admission to the online major, students must provide the following:
1. Writing sample (800-1200 words) Students must provide a writing sample in which they present a problem (or an area) in philosophy that interests them. The paper should be in the form of a short essay.  Students may submit papers they have previously submitted for classes.
2. Statement of Purpose (100-200 words) Students also provide a brief Statement of Purpose in which they present their reasons for selecting the philosophy major online at UIS, as well as their familiarity with computers and the Internet. The program is committed to excellence in education in a learning environment enriched by diverse experiences, culture, and perspectives.
3. Letters of recommendation (optional) Students may ask up to three people familiar with their prior experience in philosophy to submit confidential letters of recommendation (not a requirement).
4. International students  International students whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. International students enrolled in online programs are not eligible for student visas (see www.uis.edu/admissions/).

The writing sample, statement of purpose, the student’s GPA, prior course work, and (optional) letters of recommendation will assist the program faculty in making admissions decisions. Communications with the student (online, via telephone, or in person) may also be taken into account.

Admission to the On-campus Program
Capital Scholars and transfer students need only meet the general requirements for admission to UIS to be eligible to enroll in the on-campus major in Philosophy.

Philosophy Minor
The minor in Philosophy is open to all undergraduate students at UIS. The minor consists of four classes (at least 15 hours), at least 8 hours of which must be upper-division classes taken in Philosophy at UIS, with at least three hours in each of the following areas:

Critical thinking (or logic)
Values (ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy)
History of philosophy
An elective (any class or independent study in philosophy)

Students who wish to minor in Philosophy must formally declare their minor and consult with a Philosophy faculty member to ensure that they are meeting their individual needs and program requirements.

Individualized Graduate Degree
Graduate students can enroll in 400- and 500-level Philosophy courses. While 500-level courses are open only to graduate students, in exceptional circumstances advanced undergraduate students may petition to be admitted. Graduate students enrolled in 400-level classes are required to complete additional assignments and should identify themselves to the instructor at the beginning of the course.