Philosophy

The study of philosophy develops intellectual skills that are useful in a wide variety of careers. Philosophy majors learn to think rigorously about fundamental questions-to understand and evaluate conflicting points of view, to express ideas clearly and logically, and to reason in a careful way. These skills are useful in almost any career choice.

Philosophy, quite simply, is the love of wisdom. Before it is even looked upon as a discipline, it is an attitude that permeates all of academic study.

Planning for College

The University of Scranton encourages a strong college preparatory program in high school with a minimum of four years of English, three years of mathematics, social science and science, and at least two years of a foreign language with additional units taken in acceptable academic areas.

Philosophy at The University of Scranton

The basic objectives of the philosophy program at The University of Scranton are as follows:

• To inspire students to learn and understand the basic philosophical questions implicit in the experience of the self, others and the universe together with questions concerning their relationship to ultimate transcendence (God and immortality)
• To develop in students a clear habit of critical thinking within the framework of adequate philosophical methodology and accepted norms of scholarship
• To introduce students to the writings of great philosophers, past and present, and to study these writings critically
• To help students formulate a philosophy of life within the objectives of a liberal education at a Catholic university

Program features include:

• a dedicated faculty in which all members hold doctorate degrees
• the opportunity to do extensive research with a faculty member through the Faculty/Student Research Program
• the chance to explore philosophical issues for personal enrichment
• fundamental courses in ethics and logic leading up to thematic/problem-centered electives such as Computer and Ethics, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of the Person, Postmodern Philosophy, and Philosophy of Rhetoric, to name just a few

Outcomes

The study of philosophy develops intellectual skills that are useful in a wide variety of careers. Philosophy majors learn to think rigorously about fundamental questions-to understand and evaluate conflicting points of view, to express ideas clearly and logically, and to reason in a careful way. These skills are useful in almost any career choice.

A number of recent graduates of the philosophy program at The University of Scranton have gone on to successful careers in education, psychology, politics, religion and medicine.

Philosophy is also considered an outstanding foundation for those students interested in attending law school.

Finding Out More

For more information about philosophy at The University of Scranton, please contact Dr. Kevin M. Nordberg, Department Chair, at (570) 941-7448. His e-mail address is nordberg@scranton.edu. You can also visit the department's website at http://academic.scranton.edu/department/philosophy/.