Philosophy
Outcome Statements for Philosophy Majors
By the time a student graduates from the University of Rhode Island
with a B.A. in Philosophy, s/he should:
- Recognize patterns of valid and fallacious logical
reasoning, and basics of logical theory (PHL 101
and PHL 451)
- Read a major philosophical text analytically and
be able to write out critical evaluations of philosophical
arguments (PHL 205);
- Be familiar with major ethical theories and their
practical applications (PHL 212 and PHL 314);
- Possess a basic knowledge of the history of philosophy,
in particular Ancient Philosophy and Modern Philosophy
(PHL 321 and PHL 323);
- Be familiar with the “Analytic” approach
to philosophical questions, and at least one of the
fields of philosophical inquiry in which this approach
is most commonly practiced (PHL 341, PHL 342, and
PHL 452);
- Be familiar with the “Continental” approach
to philosophical questions, and at least one of the
fields of philosophical inquiry in which this approach
is most commonly practiced (PHL 204, PHL 318, PHL
324, and PHL 346);
- Be able to engage critically both the primary and
secondary literature on philosophical subject matter,
to present one’s critical assessment orally
to a group, and to produce a written document reflecting
one’s independent research on a philosophical
subject (PHL 490); and
Optional
8. Be able to write a substantial essay on a given philosophical
topic reflecting directed research and independent analysis and conclusions
(PHL 499).