2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Philosophy Program
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Zoli Filotas, Coordinator
Department of History
East Hall, Room 307
(605) 677-5218
philosophy@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/philosophy
FACULTY
Associate Professors:
Zoli Filotas, Ph.D., McGill University. Specialization: Ancient Greek Ethics and Politics, Social and Political Philosophy.
Joseph Tinguely, Ph.D., New School for Social Research. Specialization: Kant and 19th Century Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, Ethics, Aesthetics.
Senior Lecturer:
Dale Clark, Ph.D., University of Utah. Specialization: Ethics, Epistemology.
Lecturer:
Ralph DiFranco, Ph.D., University of Connecticut. Specialization: Philosophy of Language, Applied Ethics
Adjunct:
Seth Foss, M.A., The Open University, U.K.
MAJOR:
Philosophy, B.A., B.S.
DEGREE SPECIALIZATIONS:
Ethics, Law, and Society
MINOR:
Philosophy
CERTIFICATE:
Professional Ethics
The study of philosophy represents the finest tradition in university education and will be of lasting value in any vocation prizing that tradition, that is, law, government, health services, psychology, physics, mathematics, and fine arts. A philosopher is committed to a way of life which promotes wholeness, excellence, and well-being. A philosophical way of life is achieved only through intense, critical investigation of the fundamental principles of human thought, human endeavor, and of all reality. Thus, philosophy is referred to as the love of wisdom. The philosophy program does not hold a narrow, professionalist view of its discipline, and therefore denies that philosophical activity is limited to scheduled hours of the day. Both inside and outside the classroom, the faculty teaches by engaging in philosophical reflection with those who desire to learn. In light of the work of great philosophical thinkers, the curriculum challenges the student to seek consistent, reasonable, and well-defined positions regarding such issues as the nature and possibility of knowledge; the grounds for moral judgment; the methods, aims, and presuppositions of the sciences and arts; the objects and limits of religious tradition; and the fundamental nature of reality. Philosophical study not only encourages, but requires, responsible, independent thought and action; it often widens the scope of experience by disclosing surprising alternatives to settled opinions and habitual beliefs. Philosophy instills the conviction that free, critical inquiry is a necessary condition of a genuinely worthwhile life. The Philosophy program is administratively located in the Department of History.
Student Learning Outcomes for Philosophy (B.A., B.S.)
- Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
- Students will design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
- Students will be able to assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.
- Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
- Students will be able to demonstrate the cultivation of knowledge, skills, values and motivation that will enable them to make a difference in the civic life of communities and promote the quality of life in a community and engage in activities of personal and public concern that are both individually life enriching and socially beneficial to the community.
Programs
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