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Academics

The Department of Philosophy at Miami University has nine full-time faculty members with a diverse array of research interests and offers a broad range of courses and research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. We are committed to a pluralist outlook and offer courses in both the Analytic and Continental traditions, and in the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics, philosophy of law, feminist theory, and the philosophy of science, with the history of philosophy emphasized as the common ground of all these areas.

Major and Minors

Philosophy Major

Students of philosophy gain insight into the origin and development of fundamental concepts, and they learn to think and argue well, negotiate diverse perspectives, evaluate conflicting claims to truth, analyze ideas, and reason clearly which leads to a wide variety of career options.

Ethics, Society, and Culture Minor

This minor is a good choice for students who are unable to complete the major, but are interested in philosophical thinking about morality, ethics, politics, aesthetics, culture, and more generally about the meaning of living in a human world with others. This minor is a particularly good choice for students with interest in medical school and/or law school. (18 credit hours)

Philosophy and Law Minor

This minor offers students not majoring in philosophy the opportunity to explore key features of legal reasoning and the philosophy of law and to connect these broader themes in social and political theory. (20 credit hours)

Combined B.A./M.A. program in Philosophy

Consider applying to the highly selective combined B.A./M.A. Program in Philosophy. This program allows you to complete both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Philosophy in only one extra year of study.

Additional Academic Opportunities

Check out these opportunities for undergraduate students.

Pre-Law and Pre-Medical Studies

If you are interested in careers in healthcare or law, Philosophy majors are well prepared for critical thinking, analytical reading and writing skills, and social and ethical concerns required in these fields as well as LSAT and MCAT testing.

Independent Study

Independent reading courses may be taken with early planning and approval of the instructor you want to study with. Work with the faculty member to create a plan of study prior to registering for this course. It is that faculty member's decision to approve of and supervise such a program of study. The registration forms for independent study are available in the Philosophy Department office. Only 3 credit hours maximum of independent study can count towards your major.

Courses for Non-Majors

No matter what your course of study is, you can benefit from taking a Philosophy course.

Philosophy Courses in the Miami Plan

The Miami Plan requires 3 credit hours of Humanities courses as part of the Perspectives Areas. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking a philosophy course.

Department of Philosophy

212 Hall Auditorium
Oxford, OH 45056