Department of Philosophy

Philosophy is the cornerstone of the humanities. Majoring in philosophy cultivates the development of analytical skills and clarity of thought that are invaluable, not only in pursuiing a college degree, but also for developing a rewarding career and a meaningful life. Training in philosophy is highly regarded in wide-ranging professional fields such as law, medicine, artificial intelligence, social services, and government.

The faculty in the department have a diversity of backgrounds and areas of specialization making for a pluralistic department. This makes possible a solid grounding in the history of philosophy and in the various sub-areas of philosophy such as ethics, logic, metaphysics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of science and philosophy of language.

The Philosophy Major with a Pre-Law Concentration offers the Philosophy Major Curriculum with elective course options for studying aspects of law.

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Maureen Eckert (Chairperson), BA 1992 Hunter College, MA 2000, PhD 2003 CUNY, Ancient Philosophy, Non-classical and Feminist Logic, Fatalism, David Foster Wallace Studies

Keota Fields, BA 1996 Howard University, MA 2001 New York University, PhD 2007 City University of New York, Early Modern Philosophy (Particularly the British Empiricists), Metaphysics, Epistemology, Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophical Logic

Catherine Villanueva Gardner, BA 1985 University of Leicester, MA 1989 University College of Swansea in Wales, PhD 1996 University of Virginia, Ethics, History of Moral Philosophy, History of Women Philosophers, Feminist Philosophy

Jennifer Mulnix, BA 1999 University of Nebraska, MA 2006, PhD 2006 University of Iowa, Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Happiness, Critical Thinking

Timothy Nulty, BA 1995 Clark University, MA 2000, PhD 2004 University of Connecticut, Philosophy of Language and Mind, Metaphysics, Twentieth-century Analytic and Continental Philosophy

Philosophy Program Learning Outcomes

Content: Enabling students to describe, discuss, explain, or review major topics in any of the following sub-fields of philosophy: (a) the history of philosophy; or (b) moral, social or political philosophy; or (c) metaphysics or epistemology; or (d) non-traditional philosophy.
Skills: Enabling students to identify and evaluate formal (deductive, inductive, abductive, etc.) or informal arguments based on explicit criteria (e.g., validity, soundness, strength, cogency, etc.), or identify common argumentative fallacies.
Skills: Enabling students to locate, analyze, summarize, paraphrase, or synthesize philosophical arguments in primary or secondary texts.
Capstone Skills: Enabling students to create, develop, and defend one’s own original thesis either orally or in writing.