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Philosophy

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Why pursue a degree in Philosophy at North Central College?

Philosophers explore the fundamental questions that underlie our lives: questions about the meaning of justice, the nature of knowledge, and the purpose of human existence. In a philosophy major, you’ll become an excellent writer, speaker and thinker. Philosophy students are equipped for several different opportunities when they graduate, including graduate school or a career in business, law, medicine, religion or science. At North Central College, you can major in Philosophy or choose to add a Law and Society distinction. Law and Society students are especially interested in answering questions related to the philosophical dimensions of law, sociology and politics. Through this track, you’ll be prepared to attend law school or a career in civil service. Overall, in this program you will develop the reasoning skills needed to succeed in any career you choose.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Challenging established views using logic and reason
  • Asking, answering and arguing both basic and complicated questions
  • Seeking to understand what is moral, ethical, logical or metaphysical

then a degree in PHILOSOPHY might be for you.

Why study philosophy at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • 20th Century Philosophy
  • Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
  • Death and Dying
  • Ethical Theory
  • Ethics
  • Knowledge and Reality
  • Law and Order in Cross-Cultural Perspective
  • Logic and Critical Thinking
  • Modern Philosophy
  • Philosophy of Law
  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Power and Statecraft
  • Science and Religion: Conflict or Dialogue?
  • Social and Political Philosophy
  • Enjoy small courses that are particularly insightful because they are led by full-time professors who encourage personal relationships and discussion.
  • Apply for research opportunities and internships in the Naperville area and throughout Chicago.

Beyond the Classroom

As a philosophy major, you can: 

  • Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • Get involved politically through NCC College Democrats or Republicans or Student Governing Association
  • Receive individualized coaching with our nationally ranked speech and debate team.

More Department information

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Philosophy, B.A.

Philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, careful reading and reflection on the nature and purpose of human existence. Graduates are prepared for graduate study in philosophy and for a diverse range of careers, including education, social service and law. More importantly, they are prepared for a life of critical self-reflection and responsible citizenship.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Religious Studies.

A minimum of 32 credit hours, with at least three Philosophy courses at the 300-level or above, including:

Required Courses

History of Philosophy

Two of the following:

Normative Theory

One of the following:

Metaphysics/Epistemology

One of the following:

Electives

Two additional courses in Philosophy.

Note:

One of the following courses may be substituted for a Philosophy elective:

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Philosophy, Law and Society Track, B.A.

The Law & Society track of the philosophy major couples a broad grounding in philosophy with an emphasis on legal, political and social theory. It is an excellent major for students considering law school.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Religious Studies.

A minimum 36 credit hours, with at least three Philosophy courses at the 300-level or above, including:

Required Courses

History of Philosophy

Two of the following:

Legal, Political or Social Theory

One of the following:

Electives

  • Two additional courses in Philosophy

Note:

One of the following courses may substitute for a Philosophy elective:

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Ethics Minor

Ethics explores fundamental questions about right and wrong and ultimately asks what it means to live a good life. Students use critical thinking skills to apply ethical theories to real life dilemmas. An ethics minor can be integrated with any major and benefits graduates seeking to understand the ethical dilemmas in their personal and professional lives.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Religious Studies.

A minimum of 20 credit hours, including:

Required Courses

History of Philosophy

One of the following:

Applied Ethics

Two of the following:

Philosophy Minor

Philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, careful reading, and reflection on the nature and purpose of human existence. A philosophy minor is an excellent compliment to any major, from business to science to art.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Religious Studies.

A minimum of 20 credit hours, with at least one Philosophy course at the 300-level or above, including:

Required Courses

History of Philosophy

One of the following:

Ethics

One of the following:

Electives

Two additional courses in Philosophy

Note:

One of the following may be substituted for a Philosophy elective:

Philosophy Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Graduate Schools

Recent graduates in philosophy have been accepted at:

  • San Francisco State University
  • Chicago Theological Seminary
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Loyola University
  • University of California-San Diego
  • Maurer School of Law: Indiana University
  • John Marshall Law School

Careers

Recent graduates in philosophy work in:

  • Law
  • Philosophy instruction
  • Technical writing
  • Executive-level administration and management
  • Editing and publishing
  • Public relations and journalism
  • Philosophical counseling

Invest in your future

Choosing the right college is a big decision. Don’t make it alone. North Central’s admission and financial aid team is here to help you design a financial aid solution that works best for you and your family.

Merit scholarships, grants, loans, campus employment - these are just some of the resources available to you. Over 95 percent of students and 100 percent of all eligible students receive aid. Let our team partner with you in finding the best value for your education.

Learn more about financial aid and costs for North Central College

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