Core in Philosophy
Philosophy has a permanent and central place in Jesuit聽higher education and is an important part of the聽Boston College Core Curriculum. By聽introducing students to the great聽philosophical questions, philosophy offers a聽perspective which makes possible an integrated vision of physical, human and聽spiritual reality; it weighs聽propositions fundamental to personal identity,聽dignity, religious belief, and social responsibility, and examines moral issues facing individuals and communities. The Philosophy core teaches analytical and interpretive skills so that students develop an intellectual and moral framework for聽considering questions of ultimate value and significance, challenging them to聽translate philosophical principles into聽guides for life.
Curriculum
All Core聽offerings in聽philosophy聽bring students to聽reflect on the kinds of claims made in different disciplines from聽the natural sciences to theology by considering聽questions about the nature of聽reason, evidence, belief, and certainty. The two (2) sequential three-credit courses in the Philosophy core aim to teach聽students that the philosophical habit of mind is part of a well-lived life, providing聽the perspective and聽tools for critical evaluation of and engagement with聽contemporary problems and questions.
The Philosophy Department offers a two semester sequence to fulfill the core. There are a number of sequences from which to choose.聽 One sequence consists of two history of philosophy courses,聽Philosophy of the Person I and II.聽 There are two different interdisciplinary yearlong philosophy and theology sequences. Each of these interdisciplinary sequences fulfill the two philosophy and two theology core requirements.聽 One yearlong sequence is聽Perspectives on Western Culture聽I and II, and听听the other is聽Person and Social Responsibility I and II. In addition, the philosophy, literature, and fine arts core can be fulfilled by taking the yearlong sequence聽Perspectives II: Modernism and the Arts. 聽聽The philosophy and social sciences core can be fulfilled by taking the yearlong sequence聽Perspectives III: Horizons of the Social Sciences.聽The philosophy, science, mathematics core can be fulfilled by taking the yearlong sequence聽Perspectives IV: New Scientific Visions. 聽
Students may request transfer credit for ONE of the two semesters of Philosophy core, but courses are only accepted that substantially coincide with the material of the Philosophy department core programs. Please note even if 1 semester of core credit is granted for a course taken outside the 51茶馆 Philosophy department 1) the second semester of Philosophy core MUST be taken from the options offered by the Boston College Philosophy department outlined above, and 2) courses taken at the Woods School of Advancing Studies (Boston College鈥檚 evening college) are accepted towards core in Philosophy only for ONE semester and are considered as transfer courses.
Contact Us
For questions about Perspectives Courses, contact the Director of the Perspectives Program, Professor Chris Constas.
For questions about聽Person and Social Responsibility, contact the Director of the PULSE Program, Professor Meghan Sweeney.
For questions about聽Philosophy of the Person, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Micah Lott.