Philosophy Minor

Program Director: Nathan P. Carson, Ph.D.

Overview

The minor provides students with a basic understanding of a portion of the history of Western philosophy and with the basic skills of logical argumentation. It complements majors in religion, literature, the arts, history, political science and natural sciences. The minor is often chosen as a value-added supplement to a student's career major.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

1. Recognize, categorize and critically evaluate contemporary philosophers and philosophical schools of thought.
2. Understand significant portions of the history of philosophy and of the way Christian intellectual traditions have both enriched and been enriched by that history of inquiry.
3. Engage and articulate live contemporary philosophical problems and describe the ways philosophers have grappled with fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, ethics, aesthetics and the human condition (among others).
4. Communicate with precise philosophical argumentation, reason-informed critical reflection and clear argumentative prose, and recognize as well as critically evaluate the validity and truth of philosophical arguments as they encounter them.
5. Understand how philosophy is foundational to, relates to or augments other fields of thought.
6. Understand and clarify the relationship between faith and reason, including the various ways this relation can be construed.
7. See their analysis of philosophical arguments, thinkers and texts as central to their own (and others') intellectual, emotional, moral and Christian spiritual formation.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno