Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy Major, B.A. (Justice, Ethics, and Law Concentration)


Department Information


Department of Philosophy and Humanities
PO Box 70656
Phone: (423) 439-4425
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/cas/philosophy/

Philosophy is an attempt to reason clearly and critically about all areas of experience: science, religion, art, politics, and morality. Its purpose is to understand and evaluate our most basic beliefs and values, then to integrate them into a coherent view of ourselves and the world.

Philosophy is an appropriate preparation for vocations that require a broad liberal education and skills in clear, creative thinking. Such vocations include law, government service, writing, the ministry, medicine, and many types of positions in business. It is especially attractive when paired with another major that teaches technical or professional skills, for example, philosophy with mass communication.

Students interested in graduate school in Philosophy - Students who are considering graduate school in philosophy should take seriously their degree at ETSU as preparation for that course of study. The decision to pursue the study of philosophy in graduate school should ideally be made in the junior year, and faculty in the department should be notified so that they can provide advice specific to the student’s area of interest. In general, graduate schools will prefer that students have received a B.A. in philosophy, have studied a language or languages relevant to the discipline, and that they have taken symbolic logic. Students interested specifically in the philosophy of science or related areas may find it beneficial to receive a B.S. degree. Excellent performance in the core courses required by the department will be expected, as well as evidence of some focus in one’s area of interest in electives and extra-curricular efforts (e.g. presenting work at an undergraduate philosophy conference, participation in the philosophy club, independent work, etc.).

The department offers some graduate work in philosophy. Further information on graduate programs is contained in the Graduate Catalog.

Advising

Students with 0-59 earned credits:

Contact the Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) to schedule an appointment with your advisor. Visit the CASE website www.etsu.edu/cas/case/ and call (423) 439-5602.

Students with 60 or more earned credits:

Dr. Allen Coates
coatesa@etsu.edu
(423) 439-6622

Honors-in-Discipline Students:

Dr. Jeff Gold
goldj@etsu.edu
(423) 439-5810

Transfer and Residency Policy

Transfer students majoring in Philosophy should contact the Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) for advising as soon as possible. This will ensure that the student’s previous work will be coordinated efficiently with ETSU requirements. Transfer students seeking a Philosophy Major must complete a minimum of nine credits in Philosophy at ETSU with at least a “C” average.

Graduate Study

The department offers some graduate work in philosophy. Further information on graduate programs is contained in the Graduate Catalog. For general information about the department or courses, contact Dr. Leslie MacAvoy, Chair macavoyl@etsu.edu or (423) 439-4425.

Degree Requirements: 120 credits


General Education 41-42 credits
Major Total Requirements 30 credits
     Major Core    (9 credits)
     Concentration    (6 credits)
     Advisor Approved Electives    (12 credits)
     Other: Senior Seminar    (3 credits)
Minor 18-24 credits
Free Electives 24-31 credits
TOTAL 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: PHIL-BA (JELW)  


College of Arts and Sciences : Visit link to view the complete list of B.A. degree requirements.

  • Completion of a foreign language course numbered 2020 or above with a grade of C- or better. Students may be required to take courses numbered 1010, 1020 and/or 2010 based on a placement test or equivalent.
  • Non-U.S. History (3 credits)
  • MATH 1530  or MATH 1910  


General Education Requirements   

These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavior Sciences, History, Natural Sciences and Mathematics categories.

Total Requirements for Philosophy Major: 30 credits


Note: At least 24 credits must be PHIL courses.

Senior Seminar: 3 credits


Justice, Ethics, and Law Concentration: 6 credits


Advisor Approved Electives: 12 credits


No one section of PHIL 3063  or PHIL 4957  may count in both the Theoretical and Applied Elective categories.

Theoretical Courses: Choose 6 credits


Minor: 18-24 credits


Free Electives: 24-31 credits


Additional Information


Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements  for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100  or Proficiency exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements. 

Most minors range from 18-24 credits. Those few minors with more than 24 credits may affect the number of free electives allowed.