Program Overview

What is reality? What is the meaning of life? What makes something good or bad, right or wrong, beautiful or ugly? These are some of the perennial questions philosophers pursue. The Philosophy major at High Point University asks students to critically examine their own values and challenges them to think, communicate, and act as responsible global citizens in the 21st century. We hope that the major will empower students to construct responsible, fulfilling, and intentional lives.

A Focused Curriculum

The Philosophy major encompasses a balanced curriculum covering all the traditional areas of philosophic inquiry and is built around five core history courses: Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Contemporary Continental Philosophy, and Contemporary Anglo-American Philosophy. These courses serve as the foundation for the study of ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, logic, critical thinking, and aesthetics. The department has a wealth of offerings in ethics, including courses in environmental, social, family, bio-medical and business ethics, and regularly teaches two graduate courses in the professional ethics.

The courses in ethics address the impact of value-claims on the social, political, and religious communities in Western society as well as the impact of those claims within the global community. Because a Philosophy major requires only 36 hours to complete, it also serves as a popular double major. The department emphasizes critical thinking throughout its courses and offers two logic courses. The symbolic logic course is especially popular with students preparing to take graduate entrance exams in a variety of disciplines.

Philosophy is a versatile major because it teaches you how to think.

In a recent study on what employers are seeking, the number one attribute, demanded by 81% of those surveyed, is “Critical Thinking and Analytic Reasoning” (Hart Research Associates, 2010). This was followed closely by “Ethical Decision-making” and “Complex Problem Solving.” Where better than philosophy to gain these essential skills?

Nearly half of our philosophy majors and the majority of our minors take the skills they learn in our department straight into the workforce.

The other half of our majors enter graduate programs. They have matriculated into top programs in Political Science, Law, Education, Psychology, History, Communication, Religion, as well as in Philosophy, including:

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Duquesne University

• The New School in New York

• American University

• Widener University

• University of Kentucky

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro

While the data shows that philosophy majors may not make as much as business majors in their first job, philosophy majors surpass business majors in their earning potential by mid-career.

Think deep. Think long-term. Think philosophy.

Requirements for B.A. in Philosophy (36 credits):