Philosophy asks fundamental questions about human identity, the nature of knowledge and reality, moral virtue and responsibility, the nature of community and political authority, aesthetic judgments and values, and other concepts central to the meaning and value of human existence. Through the study of primary texts and concrete issues, drawn from various historical periods and cultures, philosophy provides a means for reflection on actions, beliefs, and values while developing critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. Philosophy also strengthens the ability to reason, enlarges the imagination, and refines aesthetic sensitivity. A philosophical education thus offers excellent preparation for a broad range of careers that require critical intelligence and creative problem-solving as well as oral and written communication skills.
Philosophy
Colin Koopman, Department Head
541-346-5549
211C Susan Campbell Hall
1295 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-1295
Faculty
Ramón Alvarado, assistant professor of philosophy and data science initiative (data ethics, philosophy of computation, philosophy of technology). BA, 2011, University of Texas at El Paso; MA, 2014, University of Texas at El Paso; MA, 2017, University of Kansas; PhD, 2019, University of Kansas. (2019)
Steven Brence, senior instructor (social and political philosophy, philosophy of film, ethics). BS, 1989, MA, 1993, PhD, 2001, Oregon. (2001)
Colin Koopman, Robert F. and Evelyn Nelson Wulf Professor in the Humanities; professor (political philosophy, data politics, pragmatism, genealogy). BA, 1997, Evergreen State College; MA, 1999, Leeds; PhD, 2006, McMaster. (2010)
Bonnie Mann, professor (feminist, Continental). BA, 1983, Portland State; PhD, 2002, State University of New York, Stony Brook. (2003)
Erin McKenna, professor (feminist theory, American pragmatism). BA, 1987, Claremont McKenna College; MA, 1990, PhD, 1992, Purdue. (2016)
Nicolae Morar, associate professor (bioethics, philosophy of biology, ecology). BA, 2004, MA, 2005, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3; PhD, 2011, Purdue. (2015)
Barbara Muraca, assistant professor (environmental and social philosophy, process philosophy, feminist philosophy). MA, 1998, Turin; PhD, 2008, Greifswald. (2019)
Scott L. Pratt, Dean of the Graduate School and professor of philosophy (American philosophy, history of philosophy, education). BA, 1981, Beloit; PhD, 1995, Minnesota. (1995)
Camisha Russell, assistant professor (critical philosophy of race, bioethics, African American philosophy). BA, 2000, American; MA, 2008, Memphis; PhD, 2013, Penn State. (2017)
Beata Stawarska, professor (phenomenology, Continental, philosophical psychology). BA, 1992, MA, 1994, PhD, 2000, Louvain. (2003)
Alejandro Vallega, professor (Latin American philosophy, Continental philosophy, aesthetics). BA, 1993, Saint John's College; MA, 1996, Boston; PhD, 1999, Vienna. (2010)
Daniela Vallega-Neu, professor (19th- and 20th-century European philosophy, history of philosophy, phenomenology). BA, 1984, European School, Varese; MA, 1992, PhD, 1995, Universitat Freiburg. (2010)
Peter Warnek, associate professor (ancient philosophy, 19th- and 20th-century Continental philosophy, Kant). BA, 1986, Seattle; MA, 1990, Villanova; PhD, 1998, Vanderbilt. (1999)
Emeriti
William E. Davie, associate professor emeritus. BA, 1964, Washington (Seattle); PhD, 1969, California, Irvine. (1968)
Mark Johnson, professor emeritus (cognitive science, metaphor theory, pragmatism). BA, 1971, Kansas; MA, 1972, PhD, 1977, Chicago. (1994)
Naomi Zack, professor (race, feminism, disaster). BA, 1966, New York University; PhD, 1970, Columbia. (2001)
The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.
Participating
Kristen Bell, Knight Law School
Joyce Cheng, history of art and architecture
Michael Hames-García, ethnic studies
Jeffrey S. Librett, German and Scandinavian
Lisa Mazzei, education studies
Jerry L. Rosiek, education studies
Steven Shankman, English
Michael Stern, German and Scandinavian
Mark T. Unno, religious studies
Malcolm Wilson, classics
Undergraduate Studies
The department offers bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) degree programs. University degree requirements are listed in the Bachelor's Degree Requirements section of this catalog and in the schedule of classes. Declaration of a major may be accomplished online by completing a form available on the department website.
Major Requirements
Course work for the major in philosophy must be passed with grades of C– or better or P (pass). No more than 8 credits may be taken pass/no pass.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 225 | Introduction to Formal Logic | 4 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval | ||
| History of Philosophy: Modern | ||
| History of Philosophy: 19th Century | ||
| Select two additional courses: | 8 | |
| History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval | ||
| History of Philosophy: Modern | ||
| History of Philosophy: 19th Century | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Philosophy | ||
| Continental Philosophy: [Topic] | ||
| American Philosophy: [Topic] | ||
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Ancient Philosophers: [Topic] | ||
| 17th- and 18th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | ||
| 19th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | ||
| 20th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Human Nature | ||
| Love and Sex | ||
| Philosophy and Cultural Diversity | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Philosophy | ||
| Feminist Philosophy: [Topic] | ||
| Native American Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy and Race | ||
| Additional upper-division philosophy courses | 20 | |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 225 | Introduction to Formal Logic | 4 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval | ||
| History of Philosophy: Modern | ||
| History of Philosophy: 19th Century | ||
| Select two additional courses: | 8 | |
| History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval | ||
| History of Philosophy: Modern | ||
| History of Philosophy: 19th Century | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Philosophy | ||
| Continental Philosophy: [Topic] | ||
| American Philosophy: [Topic] | ||
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Ancient Philosophers: [Topic] | ||
| 17th- and 18th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | ||
| 19th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | ||
| 20th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Human Nature | ||
| Love and Sex | ||
| Philosophy and Cultural Diversity | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Philosophy | ||
| Feminist Philosophy: [Topic] | ||
| Native American Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy and Race | ||
| Additional upper-division philosophy courses | 20 | |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
Honors in Philosophy
The philosophy honors program is designed to provide outstanding, highly motivated philosophy majors with the opportunity to develop their skills during the senior year through the independent exploration of a special topic of their own choosing under the guidance of a faculty mentor. To be eligible for admission to the honors program, students must have completed at least 24 credits in philosophy, at least 12 of which have been taken at the University of Oregon. The honors candidate’s grade point average (GPA) in philosophy must be at least 3.50, maintained through graduation. To graduate with honors, the candidate must fulfill the following requirements:
Courses
Besides the courses required of majors, a candidate for departmental honors must take at least 16 of the 52 credits in philosophy at the 400 level.
Senior Thesis
The candidate must write an honors thesis under the guidance of a member of the philosophy faculty chosen as thesis advisor. The thesis must demonstrate the student’s ability to formulate a significant research problem, research primary resources, interpret sources with imagination and technical skill, and present the finished work in a form meeting professional standards in philosophy. The thesis must be approved by a thesis committee consisting of two faculty members from the philosophy department. Approval of the thesis depends in part on a public defense attended by the committee.
Upon fulfilling these requirements, the candidate is approved to receive a bachelor’s degree with honors in philosophy.
Minor Requirements
Minor in Philosophy
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval | ||
| History of Philosophy: Modern | ||
| History of Philosophy: 19th Century | ||
| Course on the work of a specific philosopher | 4 | |
| Upper-division course | 4 | |
| Two additional philosophy courses | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Courses must be passed with grades of C– or better or P (pass). No more than 8 credits may be taken pass/no pass.
Minor in Ethics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 102 | Ethics | 4 |
| or PHIL 323 | Moral Theory | |
| Five ethics-related courses chosen from the following (or from additional rotating topics courses): | 20 | |
| Ethics | ||
| Ethics of Enterprise and Exchange | ||
| Internet, Society, and Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy and Popular Culture | ||
| Ethics in the Life Sciences | ||
| Love and Sex | ||
| Philosophy and Cultural Diversity | ||
| Food Ethics | ||
| Data Ethics | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Global Justice | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Philosophy | ||
| Moral Theory | ||
PHIL 330 | ||
| Medical Ethics | ||
| Environmental Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Philosophy | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy of Law | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Feminist Philosophy: [Topic] | ||
| Native American Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy and Race | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| - | Philosophy majors are allowed to complete the Ethics minor with a maximum of a two-course overlap. |
Courses must be passed with grades of C– or better or P (pass). No more than 8 credits may be taken pass/no pass. Twelve credits must be taken at the upper-division level, 4 credits of which must be at the 400 level.
A minimum of 12 upper-division credits must be take in residence at the University of Oregon.
Students minoring in ethics and also pursuing either a minor in philosophy or a major in philosophy may have a maximum two-course overlap between their ethics minor courses and their philosophy major/minor courses.
Diversity Focus
The diversity focus in philosophy gives students the opportunity to combine diversity courses in race, gender, and class with lectures, events, and workshops to earn formal recognition of focused philosophical study in diversity. The program must be completed within four years of the time the student signed up.
Requirements for Students Majoring or Minoring in Philosophy or Minoring in Ethics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 399 | Special Studies: [Topic] (Philosophy and Diversity) | 1-5 |
| Select two diversity-related courses from the following: 1 | ||
| Human Nature | ||
| Love and Sex | ||
| Philosophy and Cultural Diversity | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Philosophy | ||
| Feminist Philosophy: [Topic] | ||
| Native American Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy and Race | ||
| Documented attendance at six diversity-related events on campus or an equivalent event as approved by the diversity focus administrator | ||
| 1 | Students may substitute other topics courses or an equivalent course on this theme with the approval of the diversity focus administrator. |
Requirements for All Other Students
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 399 | Special Studies: [Topic] (Philosophy and Diversity) | 1-5 |
| Select three diversity-related courses from the following: 1 | ||
| Human Nature | ||
| Love and Sex | ||
| Philosophy and Cultural Diversity | ||
| Introduction to Feminist Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Philosophy | ||
| Feminist Philosophy: [Topic] | ||
| Native American Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy and Race | ||
| Documented attendance at six diversity-related events on campus or an equivalent event as approved by the diversity focus administrator | ||
| 1 | Students may substitute other topics courses or an equivalent course on this theme with the approval of the diversity focus administrator. |
Four-Year Degree Plan
The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| PHIL 101 | Philosophical Problems | 4 | |
| PHIL 101 or any 100/200 level class | |||
| First term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| WR 121 | College Composition I | 4 | |
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PHIL 102 | Ethics | 4 | |
| PHIL 102 or any 100/200 level class | |||
| Second term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| WR 122 | College Composition II | 4 | |
| General-education arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| PHIL 103 | Critical Reasoning | 4 | |
| PHIL 103 or any 100/200 level class | |||
| Third term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| General-education social science course | 4 | ||
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | ||
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| PHIL 310 | History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval | 4 | |
| one of PHIL 310, 311, or 312 | |||
| First term of second-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| Multicultural course in American cultures or international cultures | 4 | ||
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PHIL 311 | History of Philosophy: Modern | 4 | |
| one of PHIL 310, 311, or 312 | |||
| Second term of second-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| 100- or 200-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| Multicultural course in American cultures or international cultures | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| PHIL 312 | History of Philosophy: 19th Century | 4 | |
| one of 310, 311, 312, 342, 415, or 420 | |||
| PHIL 225 | Introduction to Formal Logic | 4 | |
| Third term of second-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| General-education arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | ||
| Third Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| PHIL 453 | 19th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | 4 | |
| General-education social science course | 4 | ||
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Multicultural course in international cultures | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PHIL 463 | 20th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | 4 | |
| 300- or 400-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| General-education arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| General-education social science course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| 300- or 400-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| one of PHIL 310, 311, 312, 342, 415, 420 | |||
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Total Credits | 44 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| 300- or 400-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Elective courses | 16 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| 300- or 400-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | ||
Bachelor of Science in Philosophy
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| PHIL 101 | Philosophical Problems | 4 | |
| Mathematics course | 4 | ||
| WR 121 | College Composition I | 4 | |
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PHIL 102 | Ethics | 4 | |
| Mathematics course | 4 | ||
| WR 122 | College Composition II | 4 | |
| General-education arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| PHIL 103 | Critical Reasoning | 4 | |
| Mathematics course | 4 | ||
| General-education social science course | 4 | ||
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | ||
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| PHIL 310 | History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval | 4 | |
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Multicultural course in American cultures or international cultures | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PHIL 311 | History of Philosophy: Modern | 4 | |
| 100- or 200-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Multicultural course in American cultures or international cultures | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| PHIL 312 | History of Philosophy: 19th Century | 4 | |
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| General-education arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Total Credits | 44 | ||
| Third Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| PHIL 453 | 19th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | 4 | |
| General-education social science course | 4 | ||
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Multicultural course in international cultures | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PHIL 463 | 20th-Century Philosophers: [Topic] | 4 | |
| 300- or 400-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| General-education arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| General-education social science course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| 300- or 400-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| General-education science course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Total Credits | 44 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| 300- or 400-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Elective courses | 16 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| 300- or 400-level PHIL course | 4 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | ||
Graduate Studies
The department offers a graduate program leading to the master of arts (MA) and the doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees. The program, which is pluralistic in orientation, requires students to develop a broad knowledge of the history of philosophy, major fields, and various approaches and methods. Students are urged to concentrate in a specific area at the advanced level. Specializations are supported in American philosophy, Continental philosophy, feminist philosophy, Latin American philosophy, philosophy of race, philosophical psychology, and environmental philosophy.
Each student designs a program in consultation with the graduate advisor. Two or more years are typically required for completing the MA degree, and five or more years are typically required for completing the PhD degree. A complete and detailed list of the university and department requirements for graduate degrees is available online through the department website.
Master of Arts Degree Requirements
The master’s program is designed to prepare students for PhD research or other professional pursuits through providing a broad background in the history of philosophy and recent developments in the areas of philosophy that are strengths of the department.
There are two paths to earning a master’s degree. The first requires completion of the second-language requirement and 48 credit hours of graduate course work including the distribution requirements (listed below). The second requires satisfaction of the second-language requirement, completing 45 credits of graduate course work—9 of which are taken in Thesis (PHIL 503)—and the writing of a master’s thesis under the direction of a thesis advisor with a second faculty reader.
The distribution requirements may be satisfied by receiving a mid-B or better in
- one course from each of three historical periods: ancient, modern (16th–18th centuries), 19th century,
- one courses from each of the four philosophical traditions—continental, analytic, American, and feminist—that ground the diverse philosophical perspectives of the department, usually satisfied by taking the Advanced Introduction for each area (571, 572, 573, 574), taken within the first two years of graduate study
- three two courses in Emerging and Engaged Philosophies: Students must complete two courses in Emerging Philosophies, such as Critical Race Theory, Latin American Philosophy, Native American Philosophy, Feminist Philosophy and LGBTQ philosophy. Students must also complete one course in Engaged philosophies, such as Environmental Philosophy, Biomedical Ethics, Animal Ethics, and Data Ethics.
- Note on criteria for multiple fulfillment: Graduate courses may be listed as counting toward the simultaneous fulfillment of multiple categories of distribution simultaneously, though this is possible for only some of the categories. A course may count toward one Historical Period while also fulfilling a Philosophical Tradition or a course in Emerging and Engaged Philosophies. Courses may count toward either a Philosophical Tradition or the Emerging and Engaged requirement, but no course may count toward both of these requirements at once. For example, a course in nineteenth-century feminist philosophy can count toward either the requirement in the Feminist Tradition or in Emerging and Engaged Philosophies (but not both) and at the same time fulfill a requirement for Historical Periods. When a course is listed so as to provide an option for fulfillment of either the Traditions or Emergent & Engaged requirements, students must choose which requirement the course is to fulfill.
Master of Arts: Distribution
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History Requirements | ||
| One course from each of the following: | 12 | |
Course from ancient period | ||
Course from modern (16th-18th centuries) period | ||
Course from 19th century | ||
| Traditions Requirements | ||
| One course about continental philosophical traditions 1 | 4 | |
| One course about analytic philosophic traditions 1 | 4 | |
| One course about American philosophical traditions 1 | 4 | |
| One course about feminist philosophical traditions 1 | 4 | |
| Emerging and Engaged Philosophies | ||
| Two courses in Emerging Philosophies | 8 | |
| One course in Engaged Philosophies | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
| 1 | Usually satisfied by taking the Advanced Introduction in each area (571, 572, 573, 574). |
For the thesis requirement, the student asks two faculty members to serve as his or her master’s committee, with one agreeing to serve as chair. The student prepares a short (maximum five pages) description of the proposed thesis topic. Once both committee members have approved the thesis proposal, the student registers for as many as 9 credits of Thesis (PHIL 503) during the one or two terms over which the thesis is written. Typically, the committee chair meets periodically with the student to assess progress and to oversee the writing of the thesis. When both members of the thesis committee agree that the thesis is suitable for a final defense, the candidate schedules a one-hour oral examination, during which the committee members ask questions about the argument and make suggestions for further revision, if necessary. The thesis is completed when it is given final approval by both members of the committee and is accepted by the Division of Graduate Studies as satisfying its requirements for thesis preparation.
Master of Arts: Thesis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 503 | Thesis | 9 |
| Additional graduate-level philosophy courses | 36 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
Additional Requirement
Students must complete the second-language requirement.
Doctor of Philosophy
Students must complete at least 81 graduate credits, of which at least 18 must be dissertation research credits. As part of the requirements for completing the PhD, students must also take at least twelve 4-credit graduate courses within the department of philosophy. Students must complete the course distribution requirements, demonstrate proficiency in a second language and pass two comprehensive examinations, which in our program are extensive research projects — one in the history of philosophy (the ‘history paper’) and one in the student’s intended area of research specialization (the literature review). Most students finish their doctoral degrees within five to six years. The Division of Graduate Studies imposes a limit of seven years for completion of the PhD degree.
The distribution requirements may be satisfied by receiving a mid-B or better in
- one course from each of three historical periods: ancient, modern (16th–18th centuries), 19th century,
- one courses from each of the four philosophical traditions—continental, analytic, American, and feminist—that ground the diverse philosophical perspectives of the department. This is usually fulfilled by taking the Advanced Introductory course in the area (571, 572, 573, 574) within the first two years of graduate study
- three courses in Emerging and Engaged Philosophies. Students must complete two courses in Emerging Philosophies, such as Critical Race Theory, Latin American Philosophy, Native American Philosophy, Feminist Philosophy and LGBTQ philosophy. Students must also complete one course in Engaged philosophies, such as Environmental Philosophy, Biomedical Ethics, Animal Ethics, and Data Ethics.
- one course in advanced logic
-
In the first year of employment as a GE, graduate students must also complete a total of 3 credits by enrolling in a one-credit professionalization pro-seminar on teaching for all three terms of the regular academic year.
Note on criteria for multiple fulfillment: Graduate courses may be listed as counting toward the simultaneous fulfillment of multiple categories of distribution simultaneously, though this is possible for only some of the categories. A course may count toward one Historical Period while also fulfilling a Philosophical Tradition or a course in Emerging and Engaged Philosophies. Courses may count toward either a Philosophical Tradition or the Emerging and Engaged requirement, but no course may count toward both of these requirements at once. For example, a course in nineteenth-century feminist philosophy can count toward either the requirement in the Feminist Tradition or in Emerging and Engaged Philosophies (but not both) and at the same time fulfill a requirement for Historical Periods. When a course is listed so as to provide an option for fulfillment of either the Traditions or Emergent & Engaged requirements, students must choose which requirement the course is to fulfill.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History Requirements | 12 | |
| One course from each of the following: | ||
Course from ancient period | ||
Course from modern (16th-18th centuries) period | ||
Course from 19th century | ||
| Traditions Requirements | ||
| One courses about continental philosophical traditions 1 | 4 | |
| One courses about analytic philosophic traditions 1 | 4 | |
| One courses about American philosophical traditions 1 | 4 | |
| One courses about feminist philosophical traditions 1 | 4 | |
| Engaged and Emerging Philosophy | ||
| Two courses in Emerging Philosophies | 8 | |
| One course in Engaged Philosophies | 4 | |
| Logic | ||
| One course in advanced symbolic logic | 4 | |
| Teaching Seminar | ||
| Three one-credit teaching seminars | 3 | |
| Dissertation | ||
| PHIL 603 | Dissertation | 18 |
| Total Credits | 65 | |
| 1 | The traditions requirement is usually fufilled by completing the Advanced Introductory course in the area (571, 572, 573, 574). |
Additional Requirements
The comprehensive examinations are passed by completing two substantial research papers under the supervision of faculty members. Students are advanced to candidacy upon completion of the comprehensives. A dissertation prospectus must be accepted by the candidate’s committee after a preliminary oral examination. The written dissertation must receive the approval of the dissertation committee after a final oral examination.
Admission
Applicants for admission to graduate studies are asked to write a brief letter explaining their philosophical background and their specific philosophical interests. This helps the department’s admissions committee decide whether this is an appropriate philosophy department for the applicant’s goals. They should also submit a writing sample and a college transcript. International students must provide proof of competence in English. A score of at least 500 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), 26 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of international students unless their native language is English.
In addition to general university regulations governing graduate admission (see the Division of Graduate Studies section of this catalog), the Department of Philosophy requires applicants to submit three confidential report forms completed by teachers (preferably philosophy teachers) familiar with the applicant’s academic background.
The application process is exclusively online; a link to the application guidelines is posted on the department website. Applicants who are unable to make the application fee payment online with Visa, Discover, or MasterCard may now pay online with a check. This application and one complete set of transcripts, together with the application fee ($70 for domestic applicants, $90 for international applicants), should be sent to the Office of Admissions, 1217 University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403-1217. A second set of transcripts should be uploaded to GradWeb. Confidential report forms should be sent directly to the department by the faculty members recommending the applicant if they are unable to upload their letters of recommendation.
Graduate teaching fellowships are the only form of financial aid available in the philosophy department; the application deadline is January 2 for the following academic year. An application form is provided upon request.
Courses
PHIL 101. Philosophical Problems. 4 Credits.
Introduction to philosophy based on classical and modern texts from Plato through the 21st century. Sample topics include free will, the mind-body problem, the existence of an external world.
PHIL 102. Ethics. 4 Credits.
Study of moral theories and issues central to moral theory (such as justification of moral judgments and concepts of duty, goodness, and virtue) as well as theoretical engagement with pressing contemporary moral debates.
PHIL 103. Critical Reasoning. 4 Credits.
Introduction to thinking and reasoning critically. How to recognize, analyze, criticize, and construct arguments.
PHIL 104. History of Western Philosophy. 4 Credits.
The course is an introduction to some currents, seminal thinkers, and texts of the Western philosophical tradition from the Ancient Greeks to Medieval, Modern, and 19th and 20th Century Philosophy. The course includes both classical text and readings traditionally excluded from the canon.
PHIL 110. Human Nature. 4 Credits.
Consideration of various physiological, cultural, psychological, and personal forces that characterize human beings, taking into account issues of class, gender, race, and sexual orientation.
PHIL 120. Ethics of Enterprise and Exchange. 4 Credits.
Moral examination of business by considering the nature of enterprise and exchange. Topics include corporate and consumer responsibility, meaningful work, and leadership.
PHIL 123. Internet, Society, and Philosophy. 4 Credits.
Introduction to philosophical problems of the Internet. Primary focus on social, political, and ethical issues with discussion of epistemological and metaphysical topics.
PHIL 130. Philosophy and Popular Culture. 4 Credits.
Engages in critical philosophical reflection about and through popular culture, including movies, music, graphic novels, and sports.
PHIL 135. Ethics in the Life Sciences. 4 Credits.
Focused on complex ethical issues in the life sciences, ranging from debates over human enhancement, the use of human cells in research, non-human animals in research, synthetic biology, genetically-modified organisms, and recent research in microbial biology.
PHIL 170. Love and Sex. 4 Credits.
Philosophical study of love, relationships, marriage, sex, sexuality, sexual identity, and sexual representation.
PHIL 199. Special Studies: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 199L. Special Studies: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 211. Existentialism. 4 Credits.
Basic ideas of the Christian and atheistic divisions of the existentialist movement; some attention to the philosophical situation that generated the existentialist rebellion.
PHIL 216. Philosophy and Cultural Diversity. 4 Credits.
Philosophical investigation of the implications of cultural diversity for identity, knowledge, and community, from the perspectives of several American cultures.
PHIL 220. Food Ethics. 4 Credits.
Examination of a variety of issues relating to food production and consumption in light of virtue, utilitarian, deontological, pragmatist, and care ethics.
PHIL 223. Data Ethics. 4 Credits.
This course explores central ethical challenges in data science and related fields of computational analysis. Offers both an overview of the major theoretical commitments of data ethics as well as engagement with applied contexts such as computer engineering, behavioral sciences, marketing, and surveillance.
PHIL 225. Introduction to Formal Logic. 4 Credits.
Introduces formal logic, including both propositional (setence) and predicate logic, including the use of truth trees. Students cannot receive credit for both PHIL 225 and MATH 307.
PHIL 307. Social and Political Philosophy. 4 Credits.
Major social and political theorists from Plato through Marx. Inquiry into such ideas as justice, natural law, natural rights, and the social contract.
PHIL 308. Social and Political Philosophy. 4 Credits.
Major social and political theorists from Plato through Marx. Inquiry into such ideas as justice, natural law, natural rights, and the social contract.
PHIL 309. Global Justice. 1-4 Credits.
Introduction to philosophical problems of globalization and justice related to global poverty, citizenship, human rights, and issues of identity, multiculturalism, war,terrorism, environmentalism and health care.
PHIL 310. History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval. 4 Credits.
Focuses primarily on Plato and Aristotle. Examines their roots in pre-Socratic philosophy and their influence on medieval philosophers such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.
Prereq: one lower-division philosophy course.
PHIL 311. History of Philosophy: Modern. 4 Credits.
Survey of European philosophy through Hume, including the work of Descartes, Locke, and Spinoza.
Prereq: one course from Philosophy.
PHIL 312. History of Philosophy: 19th Century. 4 Credits.
Traces Kant's influence on such philosophers as Hegel, Nietzsche, and Marx.
Prereq: one philosophy course.
PHIL 315. Introduction to Feminist Philosophy. 4 Credits.
Introduces basic questions of philosophy through topics central to feminism.
PHIL 320. Philosophy of Religion. 4 Credits.
Philosophical investigation of the nature of "religion" (e.g., the nature of the sacred, spirituality, and transcendence).
Prereq: one philosophy course.
PHIL 322. Philosophy of the Arts. 4 Credits.
Survey of classical and contemporary theories of art and aesthetic experience, with examples from various arts.
Prereq: one philosophy course.
PHIL 323. Moral Theory. 4 Credits.
Study of the most important traditional ethical theories; modern philosophical analysis of moral terms and statements.
Prereq: one philosophy course.
PHIL 331. Philosophy in Literature. 4 Credits.
Selective study of major philosophical ideas and attitudes expressed in the literature of Europe and America.
Prereq: one philosophy course.
PHIL 332. Philosophy of Film. 4 Credits.
Explores questions about the aesthetic dimensions of film, its relation to the other arts, and the treatment of philosophical questions in films.
PHIL 335. Medical Ethics. 4 Credits.
Introduces theoretical tools and concrete case studies for formulating, analyzing, and evaluating ethical judgments raised by contemporary biomedical practice.
PHIL 339. Introduction to Philosophy of Science. 4 Credits.
Examines theories of scientific practice, rationality, objectivity, values in science, and the role of science in society.
Prereq: one philosophy course.
PHIL 340. Environmental Philosophy. 4 Credits.
Considers the nature and morality of human relationships with the environment (e.g., the nature of value, the moral standing of nonhuman life).
PHIL 341. African Philosophy. 4 Credits.
Survey of contemporary African philosophy with a focus on current debates (for example, critique of ethnophilosophy; relation between orality and writing; decolonization of knowledge).
PHIL 342. Introduction to Latin American Philosophy. 4 Credits.
History of Latin American philosophy through the study of ideas, issues, problems, and forms of thinking in the work of key periods, movements, and authors.
PHIL 343. Critical Theory. 4 Credits.
Examines the methodological, epistemological, moral, and political dimensions of critical theory. Prereq: one philosophy course. Offered alternate years.
PHIL 344. Introduction to Philosophy of Law. 4 Credits.
Introduces central problems in the law; examines the nature of legal reasoning.
PHIL 345. Place in the Cosmos. 4 Credits.
Explores the relation between humans and the cosmos as a matter of place by comparing seminal texts in the history of philosophy. Offered alternate years.
PHIL 350. Metaphysics. 4 Credits.
Traditional issues in metaphysics selected from among such topics as substance, existence, time, causation, God, the nature of individuals, and the meaningfulness of metaphysics.
Prereq: one philosophy course.
PHIL 399. Special Studies: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 401. Research: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 403. Thesis. 1-12 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 405. Reading and Conference: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 407. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable. Recent topics include Eastern Philosophy, Feminist Theory, Nonviolence.
Prereq: one 300-level philosophy course.
PHIL 410. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 415. Continental Philosophy: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Survey of significant areas in the Continental tradition, e.g. phenomenology, critical social theory, deconstruction, feminism, and hermeneutics. Repeatable when topic changes.
Prereq: junior standing.
PHIL 420. American Philosophy: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Survey of significant areas of the American tradition, e.g. 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century thought, African and Native American thought, feminism, recent pragmatism, the self, and pluralism. Repeatable when topic changes.
Prereq: junior standing.
PHIL 421. Ancient Philosophers: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable. Concentrates on the work of a single philosopher, typically Plato or Aristotle. Repeatable when philosopher changes.
Prereq: PHIL 310.
PHIL 423. Technology Ethics: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Advanced inquiry in ethics with a focus on technology. Addresses moral, political, and cultural issues raised by socio-technical systems for everyday living and democratic citizenship. Repeatable once for a maximum of 8 credits when the topic changes.
PHIL 425. Philosophy of Language. 4 Credits.
Philosophical theories of language and meaning, with special attention to the nature of concepts and reasoning.
Prereq: junior standing.
PHIL 426. Advanced Logic. 4 Credits.
This course covers classical and non-classical logics. A review of propositional and predicate logic will be followed by a consideration of “non-normal” logics of strict implication, conditional logics, many-valued logics, and first degree entailment. The course will consider philosophical issues raised by these diverse logics.
Prereq: PHIL 225.
PHIL 433. 17th- and 18th-Century Philosophers: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable. Concentrates on the work of a single philosopher, typically Descartes, Locke, Hume, Leibniz, Berkeley, or Kant. Repeatable when philosopher changes.
Prereq: PHIL 310, PHIL 311.
PHIL 443. Feminist Philosophy: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable. Examines contemporary feminist contributions to philosophy. Repeatable once for maximum of 8 credits.
Prereq: one 300-level PHIL course
PHIL 451. Native American Philosophy. 4 Credits.
Survey of Native American philosophy focusing on philosophical perspectives in historical traditions and contemporary Native American philosophy. Offered alternate years.
PHIL 452. Philosophy and Race. 4 Credits.
Surveys the philosophical contribution to studies of race including intellectual history, philosophy of science, racism and its remedies, media studies, and cultural criticism.
Prereq: one philosophy course at the 300 level.
PHIL 453. 19th-Century Philosophers: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable. Concentrates on the work of a single philosopher, typically Hegel, Nietzsche, Marx, or Kierkegaard. Repeatable when philosopher changes.
Prereq: PHIL 312.
PHIL 463. 20th-Century Philosophers: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable. Concentrates on the work of a single philosopher (e.g., Wittgenstein, Dewey, Quine, Merleau-Ponty, C.I. Lewis, or Foucault). Repeatable when philosopher changes.
Prereq: junior standing.
PHIL 471. Advanced Introduction to American Philosophy. 4 Credits.
An advanced introduction to central debates, topics, figures, and trajectories in American Philosophy.
Prereq: PHIL 401 or PHIL 403 or PHIL405 or PHIL 407 or PHIL 410 or PHIL 415 or PHIL 420 or PHIL 421 or PHIL 423 or PHIL 425 or PHIL 426 or PHIL 433 or PHIL 443 or PHIL 451 or PHIL 452 or PHIL 453 or PHIL 463.
PHIL 472. Advanced Introduction to Analytic Philosophy. 4 Credits.
An advanced introduction to central debates, topics, figures, and trajectories in Analytic philosophy.
Prereq: One 400 level philosophy course.
PHIL 473. Advanced Introduction to Continental Philosophy. 4 Credits.
An advanced introduction to central debates, topics, figures, and trajectories in Continental Philosophy.
Prereq: One 400 level philosophy course.
PHIL 474. Advanced Introduction to Feminist Philosophy. 4 Credits.
An advanced introduction to central debates, topics, figures, and trajectories in Feminist Philosophy.
Prereq: One 400 level philosophy course.
PHIL 503. Thesis. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 507. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable. Recent topics include Eastern Philosophy, Feminist Theory, Nonviolence, Philosophy and Race, Philosophy and Tragedy, Philosophy of Education, Philosophy of Nature.
PHIL 510. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 521. Ancient Philosophers: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable. Concentrates on the work of a single philosopher, typically Plato or Aristotle. Repeatable when philosopher changes.
PHIL 526. Advanced Logic. 4 Credits.
This course covers classical and non-classical logics. A review of propositional and predicate logic will be followed by a consideration of “non-normal” logics of strict implication, conditional logics, many-valued logics, and first degree entailment. The course will consider philosophical issues raised by these diverse logics.
PHIL 533. 17th- and 18th-Century Philosophers: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable. Concentrates on the work of a single philosopher, typically Descartes, Locke, Hume, Leibniz, Berkeley, or Kant. Repeatable when philosopher changes.
PHIL 551. Native American Philosophy. 4 Credits.
Survey of Native American philosophy focusing on philosophical perspectives in historical traditions and contemporary Native American philosophy. Offered alternate years.
PHIL 553. 19th-Century Philosophers: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable. Concentrates on the work of a single philosopher, typically Hegel, Nietzsche, Marx, or Kierkegaard. Repeatable when philosopher changes.
PHIL 563. 20th-Century Philosophers: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Repeatable. Concentrates on the work of a single philosopher (e.g., Wittgenstein, Dewey, Quine, Merleau-Ponty, C.I. Lewis, or Foucault). Repeatable when philosopher changes.
PHIL 571. Advanced Introduction to American Philosophy. 4 Credits.
An advanced introduction to central debates, topics, figures, and trajectories in American Philosophy.
PHIL 572. Advanced Introduction to Analytic Philosophy. 4 Credits.
An advanced introduction to central debates, topics, figures, and trajectories in Analytic philosophy.
PHIL 573. Advanced Introduction to Continental Philosophy. 4 Credits.
An advanced introduction to central debates, topics, figures, and trajectories in Continental Philosophy.
PHIL 574. Advanced Introduction to Feminist Philosophy. 4 Credits.
An advanced introduction to central debates, topics, figures, and trajectories in Feminist Philosophy.
PHIL 601. Research: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 602. Supervised College Teaching. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 603. Dissertation. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 605. Reading and Conference: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 607. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable. Recent topics include Emerson, Philosophy of Race, Recent Moral Theory, Schelling.
PHIL 610. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
PHIL 614. Issues in Ethics. 4 Credits.
Examination of ethical theory.
Prereq: major standing.
PHIL 615. Continental Philosophy: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Explores philosophical problems and traditions in contemporary European philosophy. Repeatable three times for a maximum of 16 credits when topic changes.
PHIL 620. American Philosophy: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Treats issues in classical and contemporary American philosophy. Repeatable three times for a maximum of 16 credits when topic changes.
PHIL 623. Data Ethics. 4 Credits.
This course offers an advanced exploration of central ethical challenges in data science and related fields of computational analysis.
PHIL 641. Social and Political Philosophy: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Examination of classical and current problems in social and political philosophy including the nature of justice, legitimacy of the state, conditions of war and peace. Repeatable three times for a maximum of 16 credits when topic changes.
PHIL 643. Feminist Philosophy: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Explores contemporary feminist philosophy. Repeatable three times for a maximum of 16 credits when topic changes.
PHIL 645. Environmental Philosophy: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Pursues advanced questions in environmental philosophy regarding a particular tradition or problem area. Repeatable up to 3 times when topic changes.
PHIL 657. Philosophy and Race: Contemporary Issues. 4 Credits.
Examination of contemporary discussions regarding race including biology and race, race in medicine, reparations, perspectives on race in Continental and American philosophy.
PHIL 658. Philosophy of Mind. 4 Credits.
Analyzes basic concepts and problems in psychology.