Highlights
- The philosophy minor pairs well with a variety of disciplines, adding value to any major course of study, including management, communication and rhetorical studies, political science, history and more
- Philosophy courses teach you to examine basic ideas, such as equality, justice, and freedom, and to argue effectively in speech and writing. You will develop your ability to think by improving your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
- You will be introduced to challenging philosophical texts, such as Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.
- Develop your writing skills by learning to present an argument for your own position, explain a text and evaluate it, or provide a research-based analysis of a course-specific topic.
- As a part of a diverse, scholarly community, you will engage in daily discussions speaking and listening to your fellow classmates as they raise questions about or offer objections to readings.
Outcomes
Philosophy courses prepare students to Graduate READY for professional success in a variety of ways. Some courses conclude with face-to-face oral exams, which are excellent preparation for job interviews. Other courses require the analysis of real-world events that students may encounter in their future careers, such as deceptive marketing or whistleblowing.
The study of logic also teaches the principles of reasoning needed to perform well on the GRE and LSAT, which are used in graduate school admission. Recent alumni from Illinois College’s philosophy program have attended law school or graduate school at institutions such as Drake University, the University of Illinois Springfield and the University of Michigan.