UIS Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic Year 2006 - 2007

PHILOSOPHY
Bachelor of Arts, Undergraduate Minor

Faculty John Barker, Peter (Piotr) Boltuc, Roxanne Kurtz
Emeritus Faculty  Larry Shiner, Peter Wenz
Associated Faculty  Keith Miller
Adjunct Faculty Tom Bigaj, Ewa Bogusz-Boltuc, Gary Davis, Royce Jones, Natalie Vania, Terry Weldin-Frisch

Contact: (217) 206-6779 or phi@uis.edu. Students are urged to consult the program webpage at www.uis.edu/philosophy 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 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 of at least 7 credit hours.
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 language, 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 4 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 & 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.
Philosophy elective (any PHI class)  4 Hrs. 

Students may have 7 hours in any or all of areas 1, 2, 3, and 3 in the elective, with additional hours in another area. 

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.

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
In addition to qualifying for admission to the university, applicants must meet the following criteria for acceptance into the online Philosophy program.
1.  Priority consideration will be given to applicants with an overall grade-point average of 3.00 or better on a 4.00 scale, and those who have taken higher division courses from an accredited college or university. Note that in justified circumstances, students with lower GPAs may be accepted by the program.
2.  Applicants must have taken two college-level courses in philosophy, at least one of them in the area of critical thinking or logic. Students may be conditionally accepted into the program and allowed to take the lower-division requirements concurrently with enrollment in the online Philosophy program; students must complete prerequisite courses within the equivalent of a one-year time span.

Applicants who meet these formal qualifications will be in the strongest position to be accepted by the program. However, students wishing to be evaluated on characteristics and accomplishments beyond the grade-point average, or previous coursework in philosophy, should address the diverse ways they might contribute to the UIS Philosophy program in their entrance essays and present reasons why they believe they would be successful as a philosophy major. Consideration will be given to students with backgrounds and strong abilities in philosophy as documented by writing samples, statements of purpose, and letters of recommendation.

Applicants must submit the following materials to be formally accepted into the Philosophy program:
1.  A brief sample of the student’s writing, preferably on a philosophical topic.
2.  A brief statement of purpose (300 to 500 words) presenting the student’s reasons for selecting the philosophy major online at UIS.
3. (Recommended) One to three reference letters from individuals who can attest to the student’s ability for successful academic study.

At its discretion, the Philosophy program may also consider whatever additional documentation the applicant may provide.

While there are no firm application deadlines, students should apply by March 15 to assure full consideration for the following fall semester. The program also admits a small number of students for the spring and summer semesters. Students not admitted for the spring or summer will still be considered for fall admission. Students who are accepted for fall admission by May 15 must register by August 1, or forfeit their acceptance. A wait list of applicants may be used to ensure full enrollment; preference will be given to the strongest applicants.

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, both online and on-campus. 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.