1. Welcome!
Welcome to the Philosophy Program at UL Lafayette! Philosophy is the
fastest growing major in the college of Liberal Arts, and we are
pleased that you have decided to join us. We are dedicated to providing
you with a high quality education that will prepare you in your future
endeavors. This handbook is designed to provide you with a handy
reference guide to the Philosophy Program, resources to help you
through your philosophy courses and advice for planning your career. If
you have any questions about the Philosophy Program, please feel free
to contact any member of the Philosophy faculty (contact information is
supplied below).
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2. The Nature
and Value of a Philosophy Degree
Philosophy courses are routinely offered to students in elementary
schools and high schools in Europe and other parts of the world, but
rarely are such courses offered in the United States. As a result, most
Americans do not know what philosophy is, and have quite a few
misconceptions about it. Philosophy might best be characterized as
involving a scholarly effort to understand fundamental questions such
as "What are our moral responsibilities to others?", "Does God exist?",
"What is it to have knowledge about the world?", "Do humans have free
will?", "What sort of government is best?", "How can we tell when our
reasoning about things has gone astray?", and many other questions as
well. Philosophers believe that many of these questions as of yet lack
a proven answer, and attempt to discover a proven answer by means of
rigorous logic along with scientific data as needed. Thus, philosophy
courses tend to stress analytic and critical thinking skills, the
ability to think clearly about abstract issues, the ability to see an
issue from different points of view, reading comprehension, and writing
skills. Such skills are invaluable for a wide variety of careers.
A philosophy major is an excellent preparation for graduate school.
Consider that the average GRE (Graduate Record Exam, analogous in
function to the SAT test and required of applicants at most graduate
schools) score for philosophy majors is higher than all but four of the
50 majors tracked by the publishers of the GRE (the four that have a
higher average are Physics and Astronomy, Mathematical Sciences,
Materials Engineering, and Chemical Engineering). This means that
philosophy majors, on average, score higher than any other major in the
humanities.
Some philosophy majors go on to get an MA or Ph.D. in philosophy and
teach philosophy.
Another popular choice for philosophy majors is to go on to a career in
a law-related profession, for which philosophy majors tend to be
particularly well suited. For example, philosophy majors, on average,
score higher on the LSAT (the Law School Admission Test, required for
admission at about 200 law schools) than Pre-Law majors. The American
Bar Association has published the following bits of advice which
mention the value of philosophy for prospective law students:
In assessing a
prospective law student's educational qualifications, admissions
committees generally consider the chosen curriculum, the grades earned,
and the reputation of the colleges attended. They also view favorably
scholastic honors, awards, and special recognition. Solid grades in
courses such as logic, philosophy, and abstract mathematics are
generally considered a plus. [...] [L]aw schools will respect your
pursuit of subjects you find challenging. This is especially true if
the courses you take are known to be more difficult, such as
philosophy, engineering, and science. Also, look for courses that will
strengthen the skills you need in law school. Classes that stress
research and writing are excellent preparation for law school, as are
courses that teach reasoning and analytical skills.
- from "Education," from The Council on Legal Education and
Opportunity, American Bar Association. (complete article
available at: http://www.abanet.org/cleo/edu.html)
Preparation for legal
education should include substantial experience at close reading and
critical analysis of complex textural material, for much of what law
students and attorneys do involves careful reading and sophisticated
comprehension of judicial opinions, statutes, documents, and other
written materials. As with the other skills discussed in this
Statement, the requisite critical reading abilities may be acquired in
a wide range of experiences, including the close reading of complex
material in literature, political or economic theory, philosophy or
history. The particular nature of the materials examined is not
crucial; what is important is that law school not be the first time
that a student has been rigorously engaged in the enterprise of
carefully reading and understanding, and critically analyzing, complex
written material of substantial length. Potential law students should
also be aware that the study and practice of law require the ability to
read and assimilate large amounts of material, often in a short period
of time.
- from "Preparation for Legal Education" Prepared by The Pre-Law
Committee of The ABA Section of Legal Education and Admission to
the Bar, June 1996 (complete article available at: http://www.advising.ufl.edu/ohlpa/append.html).
Philosophy majors may also wish to pursue a career in business. Many
people interested in a career in business are surprised to discover
that philosophy majors, on average, do better on the GMAT (General
Management Aptitude Test, required for admission to over 1,000 MBA
programs) than business majors.
Because the skills stressed in philosophy courses are so fundamental, a
philosophy major can help you succeed in whatever career you might
choose. For more information about the value of a philosophy degree see
our "Why Study Philosophy?" web page at http://www.louisiana.edu/Academic/LiberalArts/PHIL/WhyStudyPhilosophy.html.
For more information about graduate school and other career options,
see our Philosophy Graduate Resources page at http://www.louisiana.edu/Academic/LiberalArts/PHIL/Graduating_Seniors.html.
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3. Advising & Courses
3.1 Getting Advised
3.1.1 Advising Procedures
Advising is required for a variety of reasons. First, your advisor will
help you ensure that the courses you take will apply to your degree.
Second, you advisor can help you select courses consistent with your
long-term goals. Third, your advisor can help you determine your
long-term goals and suggest ways to help you meet them. Fourth, if you
don't get your PAC number from your advisor, you can't register for
classes.
Advising usually occurs during the time announced in the schedule of
classes. It is best to schedule an appointment for advising with your
advisor. You are notified of which advisor is assigned to you in the
letter you receive when you first join the program. Also, a list of
advisors and advisees is posted on the bulletin board in the Philosophy
Program hallway (5th floor, Griffin Hall). You can also check with the
secretary in the Philosophy Program office if you are not sure who your
advisor is.
You are strongly urged to GET ADVISED AND REGISTER FOR COURSES AS EARLY
AS POSSIBLE. Early advising and registration vastly increases the odds
that you will be able to take the courses you want when you want to
take them. Waiting to register usually results in courses getting
filled before you get to them, hence your being unable to take the
courses you want.
Things To Do Before You See Your Advisor:
1. Acquire a copy of the Schedule Of Classes from the registrar's
office or the Philosophy Program office, and think about which courses
you need to take and which you would like to take.
2. Find out about your courses (see tips below).
3. Make sure you meet the prerequisites for each course (prerequisites
for courses are listed in the current Undergraduate Bulletin).
4. Bring your Schedule of Classes and list of courses you would like to
take with you when you get advised.
3.1.2 Selecting and Completing Courses
Here are some helpful tips for deciding which courses to take:
1. Get required courses out of the way early.
As you move along in your college career, opportunities for taking
classes dwindle. It can be a drag to have to skip taking a course you
are really interested in because the time it is offered conflicts with
a required course.
2. Find out about your courses.
While considering taking a course, it is a good idea to ask your
friends about the course, see if there is more information about the
course on the instructor's web page, go to the campus bookstores and
see what textbooks are required for the course and whether they seem
interesting, talk with the professor about his or her course, etc.
3. The instructor is more important than the topic.
A good instructor can make a course on the mathematics of the chemical
structure of slime a life-changing experience, and a bad instructor can
make the most interesting subject matter excruciatingly dull. When
possible, find out what you can about an instructor before taking their
classes.
When the instructor is listed as "Staff" in the Schedule of Classes, it usually
means that an adjunct or graduate student is teaching it.
4. Check the Pre-requisites and Co-requisites.
Some courses have pre-requisites, usually in the form of other courses
that need to be taken first. Co-requisites are other courses that need
to be taken along with the course you would like to take. You should
not try to register for courses without having fulfilled its
pre-requisites or co-requisites.
5. Withdrawing from a course is not a good way to protect your GPA.
The "W" or "Withdraw" option is heavily abused by students at UL
Lafayette. Some students will even request a "W" as soon as they find
out they got a "C" or lower on their first exam in a class. This is a
bad idea for several reasons. First, graduate schools and serious
employers don't simply look at your GPA. Rather, they ask for your
transcripts and review them. For many, a 3.0 GPA gained with a
half-dozen W's will look a lot worse than a 2.8 GPA and no W's. Second,
it's when you have to work at something that you learn. Doing poorly on
a first exam usually means you have to get better to pass the class,
and it's having the skill of learning how to get better that will be of
the most use to you in whatever career you choose. By depriving
yourself of opportunities to learn how to overcome challenges, you
deprive yourself of one of life's most essential skills.
Note that you are permitted to drop a course without receiving a "W"
within the first few days of the semester (deadlines are given in the Schedule of Classes). If in the
first day or two of class, you decide that the class is not for you,
drop it and add another. But beyond the deadline for such drops, it is
almost always better to stick with the class than get a "W."
It's also very important to keep in mind the number of credit hours you
need to maintain in order to keep any financial aid you may be
receiving.
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3.2 Major Requirements
PHILOSOPHY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: 33
hrs.
Each philosophy major must meet the Distribution Requirements. To
meet the Distribution Requirement, the student must pass with a grade
of "C" or better at least three courses in the History of
Philosophy Distribution Area, at least two courses in a second
area, and at least one course in each of the remaining two areas.
The Distribution Area and the courses which fall within them are as
follows:
1. History of Philosophy (PHIL 321, 322, 324, 327, 329, 428)
2. Value Theory (PHIL 314, 319 and POLS 370, 470)
3. Metaphysics & Epistemology (PHIL 331, 402, 441)
4. Mind, Science & Language (PHIL 342, 349, 448)
PHIL 371 and 497 may count towards a distribution area given permission
of both the student's advisor and course instructor.
101 Introduction to Philosophy
3
_____
202 or Critical Thinking / Practical
Argument 3 _____
210
321 Plato, Aristotle & the
Ancients
3 _____
322 Hist. Of Modern Philosophy
3 _____
361 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
3 _____
Philosophy Electives: Must be selected in consultation with academic
advisor. Must include at least 18 hours at 300 or 400 level
____ _____________________________
3 _____
____ _____________________________
3 _____
____ _____________________________
3 _____
____ _____________________________
3 _____
4___ _____________________________
3 _____
4___ _____________________________
3 _____
UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE/DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS:
60hrs.
CMPS: Computer
Science
____ Elective
3 _____
ENGL:
English
101 Rhet & Comp
3
_____
102 Comp & Lit
3
_____
360 Advanced Exposition
3 _____
HIST:
History
____ Elective
(HIST)
3 _____
____ Elective
(HIST)
3 _____
HUMN:
Humanities
101 Explorations in Lib. Arts
1
_____
MATH:
Mathematics
105/109 College Algebra/Pre-Calc.
Algebra 3
_____
____ Elective: Math 110, 250 or Stat 214,
325 3 _____
MODL: Modern
Language
Any foreign language. (French, German, Latin, or Spanish)
101
Elective
5 _____
201
Elective
5 _____
202/203
Elective
3 _____
ARTS: Arts (DANC, MUS, THEA, or VIAR)
Choose from VIAR 120, 375, 380; THEA 161, 261; MUS 300,
301, 303, 304, 360, 362; DANC 101, 102; ARCH 121.
____
ARTS10
3 _____
BHSC:Behavioral Science
Choose from PSYC, ANTH, SOCI, POLS, ECON, GEOG. 3 hours must be
at the sophomore level or above.
____
BHSC
3 _____
____
BHSC
3
_____
LIT: Literature Any literature course, ENGL or MODL
____
LIT
3
_____
SCI: Sciences
Must take 6 hours in a single biological (BIOL, MCBL) or physical
(CHEM, GEOL, or PHYS) sciences. Elective must be in the natural
science not represented by the six hours required. At least 3 hours
must be in BIOL.
____
SCI
1 _____
____
SCI
3 _____
____
SCI
3 _____
BIOL
SCI
3 _____
FREE ELECTIVES:
14 hrs.
____
Elective
3 _____
____
Elective
3 _____
____
Elective
3 _____
____
Elective
3 _____
____
Elective
2 _____
MINOR:
18 hr.s or more
Electives must be chosen in consultation with academic advisor to
complete an 18-hour minor (can be Cognitive Science), or for ENGL or
HIST, a 24-hour minor, or for MODL, a 23-hour minor.
____ Elective______________________
3 _____
____ Elective______________________
3 _____
____ Elective______________________
3 _____
____ Elective______________________
3 _____
____
Elective(300/400)
3 _____
____
Elective(300/400)
3 _____
TOTAL
125 hrs.
Not Applicable (ACSK, DEVE, CNED,
etc.)
(Use separate sheet if necessary)
____ _______________________
___ _____
____ _______________________
___ _____
____ _______________________
___ _____
____ _______________________
___ _____
Credit Transfer from:
(1) _______________________________________________
(2) _______________________________________________
(3) _______________________________________________
(4) _______________________________________________
- Electives must be
chosen in consultation with academic
advisor.
- Students may not audit
courses they must take for credit (i.e.,
Math 105, a required major course, etc.).
- Each student must earn
at least 45 hours of 300/400 level credits.
- Students may not apply
more than 42 hours of classes in the major
toward a degree.
- No more than 4 hours of
PEDA credit may be used for graduation
requirements.
- Correspondence courses
are, in general, discouraged and are not
allowed in the final 30 hours.
- TOPICS courses may be
repeated once, for additional credit, under
a different subtitle of topic.
JUNIOR DIVISION:
To exit Junior Division, a student
must
have completed:
ENGL 102 or ESOL 102 with a grade of "C" or better
MATH 100, 105 or 107 with a grade of "D" or better
LANG 101 with a "D" or better
have at least 30 non-developmental hours with a minimum 2.0 adjusted GPA
HUMN 101 with a "C" or better
MINOR:
Philosophy allows students to
minor in
areas such as History or English that may already be included in the
student's curriculum. For example, if hours from history are
included in both the minor and history subject areas, the student must
have the appropriate substitutes in order to complete the 124-125 hours
required.
TRANSFER CREDITS:
Transfer students must call for an
appointment with the Dean's office to have their transfer credits
evaluated during the student's first semester at UL Lafayette. Transfer
courses for a continuing UL Lafayette student must be approved prior to
the student's enrollment in those courses. Students are limited to 62
hours of transfer credit at the community college level. A student
shall be required to earn the last 30 hours, applicable toward a
degree, in residence as a major in the academic college from which the
degree is sought. Each student must earn at least 45 hours of 300/400
level credits. In the case of transfer from a four year school,
up to six hours may be considered upper level if the courses are
equivalent to upper level courses to UL Lafayette. Note: This
exception does not apply to transfer work from two-year colleges.
GRADUATION:
To file for graduation, student
must
complete two documents:
The Degree Plan - completed with adviser, approved by department head
and dean. Due in the dean's office at the beginning of the
semester before a student expects to graduate. The degree plan
indicates what course work remains in order to complete degree
requirements.
The Application for Degree - due the semester prior to graduation if
the student wants priority registration or at the beginning of the
semester the student plans to graduate. The application is a
brief name and address form that is used to order the student's
diploma. It is available in the Registrar's office. There
is a $45 fee, payable at the Cashier's office. The form must be
returned to the Dean's office after payment.
[Back to Table of Contents]
3.3 Philosophy Courses
The following is a list of all the philosophy courses offered by the
Philosophy Program. For information regarding how frequently courses
are offered, see section 3.4.
The numbering of the courses (100-, 200-, 300- or 400-level) roughly
correspond to their level of difficulty. 100- and 200-level philosophy
courses are intended primarily for first-year and second-year
undergraduates. 300-level courses are intended primarily for juniors
and seniors, although a second-year student who is well motivated
should feel comfortable taking one. PHIL 361 Symbolic Logic and
400-level courses are aimed primarily at junior and senior philosophy
majors.
The numberings within each of the four levels do not indicate
difficulty but, instead, roughly correspond to an area of philosophy.
Thus, for example, the fact that one course is numbered 371 and another
314 is no indication that the former will be any more difficult than
the latter.
101. INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY. (3, 0, 3). An introduction to
the major problems of philosophy through a critical reading of
selections from great philosophers. Coreq: Eligibility for ENGL
101.
111. CONTEMPORARY MORAL DILEMMAS. (3, 0, 3). A critical,
philosophical examination of important ethical issues for individuals,
the professions and society today. Includes: abortion,
euthanasia, animal rights, and capital punishment.
151. HONORS INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY. (3, 0, 3).
Restr: Permission of instructor is required.
202. CRITICAL THINKING. (3, 0, 3). Introduction,
inductive logic, logical fallacies, and basic forms of valid
reasoning. Rest. Eligibility for ENGL 101.
210. PRACTICAL ARGUMENTATION. (3, 0, 3). Introduction
to the nature of scientific reasoning and the application of inductive
and critical thinking and discourse skills to claims regarding folk
theories, evolution, and other controversial issues.
231. TOPICS IN WORLD RELIGIONS. (3, 0, 3). A
philosophical study in one or more of the world religions, such as
Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. May be
repeated for credit with a different topic.
234. INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. (3, 0, 3).
Academic survey of the Old Testament with particular attention given to
the early beginnings, history, and prophets.
235. INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT. (3, 0, 3).
Academic, non-sectarian survey of the New Testament with specific
attention given to the exegesis of one of the gospels and the Pauline
Epistles.
240. AESTHETICS. (3, 0, 3) Analysis of the nature of art,
and a critical examination of various criteria for determining
aesthetic value.
314. ETHICS. (3, 0, 3). An analysis of the principal theories of
the nature of the good.
316. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. (3, 0, 3). A study of some of the
moral problems encountered in the professions of business, medicine,
law, and engineering; different conceptions of the nature and source of
moral obligation in the professions.
319. PHILOSOPHY OF LAW. (3, 0, 3). An introduction to
the nature and philosophical and moral problems of law, e.g.:
legal enforcement of morality, justification of punishment, civil
disobedience, jurisprudence.
321 PLATO, ARISTOTLE AND THE ANCIENTS. (3, 0, 3) An
examination of the roots of western philosophy with emphasis on the
works of Plato and Aristotle. Prereq: ENGL 101.
322. HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY. (3, 0, 3).
Examination of the roots of contemporary philosophy, focusing on the
major philosophers and Descartes to Kant. Prereq: ENGL 101.
327. EXISTENTIALISM AND PHENOMENOLOGY. (3, 0, 3).
Examination of major theories, and figures, e.g.: Nietzsche,
Sartre, Husserl, Camus, etc.
329. TOPICS IN THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY. (3, 0, 3).
Examination of either a philosophical movement, a philosophical period,
or the works of a particular philosopher. Can be repeated for
credit three times with different topics.
331. PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION. (3, 0, 3). A discussion of the basic
philosophical problems in the great religions of the world.
340. PHILOSOPHY OF MIND. (3, 0, 3). Discussion of the nature of the
mind and its relation to the world. Survey of topics to include the
mind/body problem, consciousness, artificial intelligence, mental
representation, perception.
342. PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE. (3, 0, 3). An analysis of the
nature of science and of scientific method. The philosophical problems
of the various sciences are emphasized. Prereq: PHIL 202 or PHIL
361. Restr: If prerequisites not met, permission of
instructor is required.
349. TOPICS IN MIND AND COGNITION. (3, 0, 3). A
philosophical study of a topic in the philosophy of mind or cognitive
science, such as computer models of the mind, explanation of behavior,
or the evolution of the mind. May be repeated for credit with a
different topic.
361. INTRODUCTION TO SYMBOLIC LOGIC. (3, 0, 3).
Introduction to formal language, Boolean logic, and the classical first
order predicate logic, as well as syllogistic logic.
371. TOPICS IN PHILOSOPHY. (3, 0, 3). In-depth study
of an important philosophical issue, area or movement. Alternate
subtitles will appear on students transcripts. May be
repeated for credit with a different topic.
To enroll in any 400-level course, students must be admitted to the
Upper Division.
402. METAPHYSICS. (3, 0, 3). An analysis of the ultimate nature
of reality. Sp, odd-numbered years. Prereq: Six hours of philosophy.
428(G). SEMINAR IN THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY. (3, 0, 3).
441(G). THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE. (3, 0, 3). Critical
examination of the nature and limits of knowledge. Prereq:
Six credits of philosophy.
448(G). SEMINAR IN MIND AND COGNITION. (3, 0, 3). Specific
problems related to understanding the nature of the human mind and/or
human cognitive ability. Prereq: PHIL 342, 349, 441, or
permission of instructor.
483(G). PHILOSOPHY IN LITERATURE. (3, 0, 3). Basic
philosophical problems in great works of literature. Fa,
odd-numbered years. Prereq: Three hours of philosophy, or
permission of instructor.
497. INDIVIDUAL STUDY. (1-3). A study in depth of one of the
major philosophical problems. Fa, Sp. Prereq: twelve hours of
philosophy. Restr: Senior standing and permission of
instructor required.
The following Graduate courses are also offered by the Philosophy
Program. To take these courses, one must be admitted to the Graduate
Program.
533. ADVANCED LOGICAL TOPICS. (3, 0, 3) Content varies. May be repeated
for credit. In-depth study of a selected logical topic such as
non-monotonic logics, temporal logics, modal logics, entailment logics,
or combinatorial logic. Prereq: PHIL 361. Restr.: If prerequisite not
met, permission of instructor is required.
541. PHILOSOPHY OF MIND. (3, 0, 3). Central themes pertaining to
cognitive science.
542. PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE. (3, 0, 3). Epistemology and ontology of
science and its branches.
597-598. INDIVIDUAL STUDY. (1-3 ea.) Restr: Approval of department head
and instructor.
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3.4 Course Rotation
Not every course the Philosophy Program has is offered every semester.
Whether a particular course is offered in a particular semester depends
primarily on student demand and faculty availability, and these factors
are evaluated on a semester by semester basis. The following account of
when courses are offered is based on recent offerings and current
expectations, and should help you to plan ahead so that you can take
the courses you desire and meet the requirements for the major. Keep in
mind, however, that unexpected events may prevent a course from being
offered. Your advisor will be able to give you the latest information
on when a particular course will next be offered. Feel free to request
of a faculty member that a particular course be taught, as such
requests will be taken into account when determining whether a course
will be offered.
Courses typically offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters:
PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 202 Critical Thinking
PHIL 111 Contemporary Moral Dilemmas
PHIL 151 Honors Intro to Philosophy
PHIL 231 Topics in World Religions
PHIL 316 Professional Ethics
Courses typically offered only in Fall semesters:
PHIL 210 Practical Argumentation
PHIL 234 Introduction to the Old Testament
PHIL 321 History of Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 342 Philosophy of Science
Courses typically offered only in Spring semesters:
PHIL 235 Introduction to the New Testament
PHIL 322 History of Modern Philosophy
PHIL 331 Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 361 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
A 400-level course
Courses typically offered once every two years:
PHIL 314 Ethics (Fall)
PHIL 319 Philosophy of Law
PHIL 329 Topics in the History of Philosophy (Fall)
PHIL 349 Topics in Mind and Cognition
PHIL 371 Topics in Philosophy
PHIL 402 Metaphysics (Spring)
PHIL 441 Theory of Knowledge (Spring)
Courses offered on occasion:
PHIL 240 Aesthetics
PHIL 327 Existentialism and Phenomenology
PHIL 428 Seminar in History of Philosophy
PHIL 448 Seminar on Mind and Cognition
PHIL 483 Philosophy in Literature
Courses typically offered during the Summer session:
PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 202 Critical Thinking
PHIL 316 Professional Ethics
Courses are only rarely offered in the Winter Intersession.
[Back to Table of Contents]
3.5 Career Preparation
A philosophy degree is an excellent way to prepare for a variety
of careers.
Courses that we feel would be of particular interest to those
interested in pursuing a career in law-related professions include:
PHIL 202 Critical Thinking
PHIL 210 Practical Argumentation
PHIL 314 Ethics
PHIL 316 Professional Ethics
PHIL 319 Philosophy of Law
PHIL 361 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
Courses that we feel would be of particular interest to those
interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Philosophy include:
PHIL 314 Ethics
PHIL 321 Plato, Aristotle and the Ancients
PHIL 322 History of Modern Philosophy
PHIL 329 Topics in the History of Philosophy
PHIL 342 Philosophy of Science
PHIL 361 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
PHIL 402 Metaphysics
PHIL 441 Theory of Knowledge
Courses that we feel would be of particular interest to those
interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Religious Studies include:
PHIL 231 Topics in World Religions
PHIL 234 Introduction to the Old Testament
PHIL 235 Introduction to the New Testament
PHIL 314 Ethics
PHIL 321 Plato, Aristotle and the Ancients
PHIL 322 History of Modern Philosophy
PHIL 331 Philosophy of Religion
Courses that we feel would be of particular interest to those
interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Cognitive Science include:
PHIL 322 History of Modern Philosophy
PHIL 342 Philosophy of Science
PHIL 349 Topics in Mind and Cognition
PHIL 361 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
PHIL 441 Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 448 Seminar in Mind and Cognition
Also keep in mind that customized courses, based on your particular
interests, can be taken for credit through PHIL 497 Independent Study.
Simply get permission from the instructor you would like to work with
and the Head of the Program, and the course will be created for you.
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3.6 Selecting A Minor
All majors in the College of Liberal Arts, including Philosophy majors,
are required to complete a minor consisting of 18 or more credit hours
in a secondary area of study outside one's major. At least two of the
courses taken for the minor must be at the 300- or 400- level. The
minor is intended to provide more depth and breadth to the major, and
to better prepare students for graduate or professional school. Most
departments in the university offer a minor. In addition, there are
also interdisciplinary minors in the following areas:
African/African-American Studies
Business Administration - Pre MBA
Cajun and Creole Studies
Cognitive Science
Film Studies
Latin American Studies
Religious Studies
Technology
Women's Studies
Consult the Guide to Minor
Concentrations or see your advisor for more information and
advice regarding minors.
[Back to Table of Contents]
3.7 Advice on
Succeeding in Your Philosophy Courses
An important rule regarding any course you take, in whatever
discipline, is this: the more you put into a course, the more you get
out of it. Similarly, what is most valuable in a college education is
not WHAT you learn, but HOW you learn. Putting as much work as you can
into each class you take will help you get the most of your college
education.
Here is some basic advice for you:
- If you are having
difficulty in a course, see the instructor and
ask for help.
- Take advantage of any
internet resources the instructor has
provided.
- Always proof read a
paper before turning it in.
A variety of resources are available through Dr. Korcz's How To Survive
Your First Philosophy Class pages at
http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/Survival.html. However, be sure
not to follow any advice contrary to that given by your instructor!
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3.8 Repeating A Course
Courses may be repeated in order to achieve a better grade. The effect
of repeating a course is to remove the previous letter grade from the
calculation of one's grade point average, and replace it with the new
grade. For this to take effect, the student must submit a Repeat Rule
Form, available at the Registrar's Office in Martin Hall, rm. 171.
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4. Philosophy Research Guide
What follows is a guide to researching philosophical issues. A detailed
guide on how to proceed with research is available online at http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/DoingResearch.html.
Below are brief descriptions of a variety of resources for researching
a philosophy paper or just exploring an issue in which you are
interested.
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4.1 Internet Resources
There is a huge amount of information about philosophy on the internet.
The best sites are the following:
4.1.1 Links Pages
EpistemeLinks, at http://www.epistemelinks.com/index.aspx,
is the largest set of links to philosophy resources on the internet,
and is well organized.
Dr. Korcz's Philosophy Links page, at http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/Linkspage.html,
provides a list of good sites organized by topic.
4.1.2 Philosophy Papers Online
There is a list of sites that index papers on-line on Dr. Korcz's links
page at http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/Linkspage.html.
Also see section 4.2.2 below.
4.1.3 Online Reference Works
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy contains in-depth,
peer-reviewed articles on a wide variety of philosophical issues. The
web address is: http://plato.stanford.edu/contents.html
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy likewise is very useful. Its
web address is: http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/
Also available is a Dictionary of Philosophical Terms and Names, which
contains brief entries and extensive cross-referencing. Its web address
is: http://www.philosophypages.com/dy/
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4.2 Dupre Library Resources
4.2.1 The Philosopher's Index
The main index for philosophy articles published in philosophy journals
is The Philosopher's Index. It's in the Reference Section on the first
floor of Dupre Library, call number Z7125.P452. It also indexes
philosophy books and book reviews.
4.2.2 Philosophy Journals
A complete list of philosophy journals available at UL Lafayette, with
call numbers and links to those available on-line, is at http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/DuprePhiJournals.html.
Dupre Library has a page listing all of the journal databases to which
they subscribe at http://library.louisiana.edu/Ref/Databases/.
4.2.3 Dupre Card Catalog
Dupre Library's on-line catalog can be searched via their web site, at http://library.louisiana.edu/.
This catalog also searches NetLibrary, which includes several hundred
philosophy books available on-line for free.
4.2.4 Interlibrary Loan
If Dupre does not have what you are looking for, they may be able to
borrow it from another library. For more information about interlibrary
loan, see their web page at http://library.louisiana.edu/ILL/.
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4.3 The Philosophy Library
The Philosophy Program maintains a small library, in Griffin Hall, of
philosophy books donated by the faculty. Philosophy majors may check
these out with permission of a member of the Philosophy faculty, who
will explain the check-out procedures.
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5. The Philosophy Club
The Philosophy Club provides a public forum for discussing
philosophical issues. There is no formal membership, and all members of
the UL Lafayette community are welcome to attend. Meetings are
ordinarily held every two weeks during the Fall and Spring semesters.
For more information, see the Philosophy Club web site at http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/PhilosophyClub.html.
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6. The John Vigorito and
Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prizes
The John Vigorito and Robert Kirkpatrick Essay Prizes in Philosophy
were established in the Fall 2001/Spring 2002 school year in honor of
two former UL Lafayette Philosophy Professors. The essay competition is
open to any UL Lafayette undergraduate student who has taken a
philosophy class and has either (a) received an "A" on a term paper
completed for the class or (b) had his or her paper nominated for the
prize by the course professor. Entrants are limited to papers completed
for a course taken in the previous year. There are two prizes: one for
courses at the 100 and 200 level, and another for courses at the 300
and 400 level. The award consists of a certificate, cash and assorted
prize(s). The winners will be awarded the prize and read their papers
at a special Philosophy Club meeting/awards ceremony.
For more information, or to submit your paper, please contact Dr.
Istvan Berkeley at istvan@louisiana.edu. You can also visit the essay
prize web pages at http://www.louisiana.edu/Academic/LiberalArts/PHIL/Essay.html.
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7. Contact Information
Philosophy Program Office:
secretary
Office: Griffin Hall, rm. 560
Office Phone: (337) 482-5401
e-mail:
Philosophy Program web site: http://www.louisiana.edu/Academic/LiberalArts/PHIL/
Faculty:
Dr. Keith Allen Korcz
Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Interim Program Coordinator,
Philosophy
Teaches: Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy of Religion, Ethics,
Metaphysics, History of Philosophy.
Office: Griffin Hall, rm. 563
Office Phone: (337) 482-6806
e-mail: keithk@louisiana.edu
web site: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/
Dr. Istvan Berkeley
Associate Professor of Philosophy; Associate Professor at The Institute
For Cognitive Science; Adjunct Professor at The Center for Advanced
Computing Studies; Assistant Program Coordinator, Philosophy
Teaches: Philosophy of Mind, Cognitive Science, History of Philosophy.
Office: Griffin Hall, rm. 559
Office Phone: (337) 482-6807
e-mail: istvan@louisiana.edu
web site: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~isb9112/
Dr. Steve Giambrone
Associate Professor of Philosophy; Cognitive Evolution Group
Teaches: Logic, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Mind, Cognitive
Science.
Office: Griffin Hall, rm. 564
Office Phone: (337) 482-5400
e-mail: steveg@louisiana.edu
web site: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~sxg8037
Current Adjunct and Associate Faculty:
Dr. Richard Baggett
Adjunct Philosophy Instructor
Teaches: Professional Ethics, Religion.
Office: Griffin Hall, rm. 562
Office Phone: (337) 482-5002
e-mail: drbagg@aol.com
Dr. Barbara Conner
Adjunct Philosophy Instructor
Teaches: Ethics, Religion, Philosophy of Law, Feminist Philosophy.
Office: Griffin Hall, rm. 561
Office Phone: (337) 482-5421
e-mail: zeno@louisiana.edu
Rusty Chastant
Adjunct Philosophy Instructor
Teaches: Introduction to Old Testament, Introduction to New Testament,
Topics in World Religions
Office: Griffin Hall, rm. 562
Office Phone: (337) 482-5002
e-mail: voyager738@earthlink.net
Dr. J. Brooke Hamilton, III
J. J. Burdin, M.D. and Helen B. Burdin LEQSF Regents' Professor of
Professional
Ethics, Department of Management and Quantitative Methods
Teaches: Professional Ethics.
Office: O K Allen 107
Office Phone: (337) 482-6427
e-mail: jbh4969@louisiana.edu
web site: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~jbh4969/
Dr. David Barry
Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Professor in the Department of
Modern Languages
Teaches: Existentialism and Phenomenology.
Office: Martin Hall, rm. 246
Office Phone: (337) 482-6219
e-mail: dbarry@louisiana.edu
Dr. Bryan-Paul Frost
James A. and Kaye L Crocker Endowed Professor of Political Science,
Department of Political Science; Adjunct Professor of Philosophy
Teaches: Political Philosophy.
Office: Mouton, rm. 230
Office Phone: (337) 482-5692
e-mail: bpf0465@louisiana.edu
Philosophy Club
Advisor: Dr. Keith Korcz
web site: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/PhilosophyClub.html
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Philosophy 