Frequently Asked Questions about the Undergraduate Program in Philosophy
I'm considering Philosophy as my major or minor
1. I’ve yet to decide on my major and minor
and have never taken a Philosophy course. How can I learn if the Philosophy
major or minor is a good option for me?
Start by taking one of our lower division courses: Phil 101: Intro to
Philosophy, Phil 201: Greek Philosophy, or Phil 202: Descartes to Kant.
Multiple sections of these courses are offered every semester, and any
one of them will give you exposure to some of the issues, questions,
and historical figures that are covered in our more advanced Philosophy
courses.
2. I’ve taken at least one Philosophy course,
but I’m still not sure whether Philosophy is a good option for me. Is
there a certain type of student for whom the Philosophy major and minor
is especially appealing?
No. There are in fact a wide range of students who are attracted to
Philosophy. For instance, some of our current students are coupling
their Philosophy major with a major or minor in another area of the
humanities (such as history and political science), while others are
coupling their study of Philosophy with a major or minor in one of the
sciences (such as mathematics and psychology).
3. I’d like to pursue Philosophy as a major,
but I’m worried that I won’t be able to find a job if I graduate from
UNM with a degree in Philosophy. Are there practical benefits I will
gain from pursuing a Philosophy major or minor that will help me when
I graduate?
Yes. The writing and analytical skills developed in Philosophy courses
are increasingly valued in professional fields, such as business and
marketing, and Philosophy majors tend to score very well on tests, such
as the GRE and LSAT, which are required for admission into post-graduate
programs. Also, bear in mind that pursuing a Philosophy major (or minor)
does not commit you to a career in Philosophy. Many of our graduates
have gone on to very successful careers in other fields, including business,
law, medicine, foreign service, public administration, social work,
and education (elementary, secondary, or college).
4. Are there real and long-term benefits associated
with completing a Philosophy degree?
Yes, at least according to a recent study conducted by PayScale.com:
Their data revealed that the mid-career median salary of Philosophy
majors is roughly $81,000. The results of this survey are available
on-line at http://www.payscale.com/2008-best-colleges/degrees.asp
5. I’d like to go to law school after I graduate.
Is it absolutely necessary that I pursue the Pre-Law concentration in
Philosophy rather than the general major?
No. Completing any one of our major programs will help you develop the
writing and analytical skills you’ll need in your post-graduate studies.
However, the required courses for the Pre-Law concentration (especially
Phil 371: Classical Social and Political Philosophy, Phil 372: Modern
Social and Political Philosophy, and Phil 381: Philosophy of Law and
Morals) will provide you a solid foundation in areas that are a part
of any law school curriculum. Thus, if you are interested in attending
law school and you opt to pursue the general Philosophy major, we highly
recommend that you take those three courses to fulfill the upper-division
electives required for the major.
6. I’m still not sure if I should major or
minor in Philosophy and would like to speak to someone in person. Is
there someone I can contact?
The Undergraduate Student Advisor (UA) for Philosophy. Look under look under the Contact Information section of our
web site and click on “Advisement Contacts” to find the email address
and office hours for our current UA.
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I'm ready to delcare Philosophy as my major or minor
1. I’m ready to declare Philosophy as my major.
What do I need to do?
To declare Philosophy as your major, you must first meet with an adviser
in the College
of Arts and Sciences Advising Office (University Advisement and
Enrichment Center, room 140). The adviser will provide you general information
about completing your degree requirements, and then give you a Major
Declaration Form. This form must be signed by the Undergraduate Student
Advisor (UA) for Philosophy and then returned to the College Advising
Office.
2. I have a Major Declaration Form. How do
I arrange for the UA to sign it?
You have a couple of options: You can meet with the UA during his/her
posted office hours, or you can arrange an alternative meeting time
by contacting the UA via email.
3. When are the UA’s office hours?
You can find the UA’s email address and office hours posted in the Philosophy
Department as well as on-line. Look under the Contact
Information section of our web site and click on “Advisement Contacts.”
4. I’d like to declare Philosophy as my minor.
In this case does the UA need to sign my Major Declaration Form?
No. The signature of the UA is only required if you are declaring Philosophy
as your major.
5. I’d like to pursue the Pre-Law concentration
rather than the general Philosophy major. What are the procedures for
declaring the Pre-Law major?
Follow the same procedures that are described for the general Philosophy
major.
6. I’d like to pursue the Economics-Philosophy
major. What are the procedures for declaring Economics-Philosophy as
my major?
Follow the same procedures that are described for the general Philosophy
major.
7. I’d like to pursue the English-Philosophy
major. What are the procedures for declaring the English-Philosophy
major?
In this case, you should contact the English-Philosophy Student Advisor
and have him/her sign your Major Declaration Form.
8. When does the English-Philosophy Student
Advisor hold office hours?
To find the email address and office hours for the English-Philosophy
Student Advisor, look under the Contact Information
section of our web site and click on “Advisement Contacts.”
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I'm currently completing the Philosophy major or minor
NB: The following information pertains to students who declared the general or Pre-Law Philosophy major prior to fall 2011. For those considering to major in Philosophy in fall 2011 or later, please see the section of this FAQ entitled “I noticed that the requirements for the Philosophy major have changed.”
1. Does the UA for Philosophy keep a record
of the courses I need to take to complete the major or minor?
No. This responsibility falls on the student. However, we do have worksheets available on-line, which students can use to help them keep track of the courses they need to complete for their Philosophy degree requirements.
General major worksheet: http://www.unm.edu/~thinker/majorsheet.html
Pre-Law major worksheet: http://www.unm.edu/~thinker/prelawsheet.html
2. Phil 201: Greek Philosophy and Phil 202:
Descartes to Kant are required for the general and Pre-Law majors. Must
I take these lower-division courses before completing my upper-division
requirements?
Not necessarily. The prerequisite for some of our upper-division courses
is simply one Philosophy course, but there are cases where Phil 201
and/or Phil 202 are prerequisites. (For instance, you must take Phil
202 before taking Phil 352: Theory of Knowledge.) For information on
the prerequisites for our upper-division courses, consult the current UNM course catalog or our Complete
Course List .
3. Does the department recommend that I take Phil 201 and Phil 202 before completing my upper-division requirements?
Yes, highly. We encourage our majors to take Phil 201 and Phil 202 as
soon as possible for two reasons: 1) These survey courses expose students
to some of the most important figures and theories of Greek and Early
Modern Philosophy; and 2) These courses offer a solid historical background
that will better enable students to orient themselves towards the issues,
questions, and leading figures of contemporary philosophy.
4. Does the department have other recommendations
concerning the order in which I complete my degree requirements?
Yes. We strongly recommend that our majors aim to complete the required courses for their major program by the end of their junior year and leave their senior year to complete their electives (and possibly pursue Honors in Philosophy – more on that below). We make this recommendation because some of the courses required for our majors (including Phil 354: Metaphysics, Phil 356: Symbolic Logic, Phil 371: Classical Social and Political Philosophy, Phil 372: Modern Social and Political Philosophy, and Phil 381: Philosophy of Law and Morals) are not offered every semester. Thus, it’s best that students complete these courses prior to the year they intend to graduate. Otherwise, they run the risk of having to delay their graduation until the required courses are offered again.
5. Are there courses that the department recommends
I take to fulfill the elective requirements for the major or minor?
No. We have designed our undergraduate programs to ensure that students have
a good deal of flexibility when choosing their elective courses for
the major and minor.
6. I have taken Phil 101. Will this course
count towards my elective requirements for the Philosophy major?
Yes, but only if you completed Phil 101 prior to taking Philosophy courses
at the 200-level or above. In other words, if you took a Philosophy course at the 200-level or above prior to taking Phil 101, then Phil 101 will not count toward your degree requirements.
7. I have taken Phil 101. Will this count towards
my requirements for the Philosophy minor?
Yes, but only if you have taken Phil 101 prior to taking Philosophy
courses at the 300-level or above. For instance, if you’ve only taken
Phil 201 thus far, you can in fact take Phil 101 to complete the sequence
required for the Philosophy minor. However, we highly recommend that
you instead take Phil 202 to complete that sequence simply because the
material covered in Phil 101 may seem too elementary for a student who
has already completed a 200-level course.
8. I am completing the general Philosophy major
and have taken Phil 156. Will this course count towards my elective
requirements for the major?
Yes, but only if you completed Phil 156 prior to taking Philosophy courses
at the 200-level or above. In other words, if you took a Philosophy course at the 200-level or above prior to taking Phil 156, then Phil 156 will not count toward your degree requirements.
9. I am interested in earning Honors in Philosophy.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
To be eligible for the Honors Program in Philosophy, a student must
(1) be a declared Philosophy Major, (2) have an overall GPA of 3.00
or better, and (3) have a GPA of 3.50 or better in the Philosophy coursework
he/she has taken at UNM. If you meet these requirements and would like
to be considered for our Honors Program, you must submit an application
to our department by the beginning of your senior year.
For further information, as well as the application form, go to the
Undergraduate Program
section of our web site and click on “Honors in Philosophy.” If you
have specific questions not addressed on our web site or would like
to speak to someone in person, get in touch with our Honors Advisor.
The Honor Advisor’s contact information and office hours can be found
by selecting “Advisement Contacts” on the Contact Information
section of our web site.
10. How can I stay informed about news and
events in the Philosophy Department?
Check the “News and Events”
section of our web site. Or, if you’d prefer email updates, you can
subscribe to the PHILMAJORS-L listserv. This listserv is open to all
members of the UNM community (you need not be a Philosophy major). To
subscribe, go to http://list.unm.edu,
click on “Subscribe to a List”, and when prompted, enter PHILMAJORS-L.
You will then indicate the email address to which you’d like messages
sent (the email address need not be a UNM address).
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I noticed that the requirements for the Philosophy major have changed
1. What are the precise changes to the general
Philosophy major?
Effective fall 2011, the requirements for the general Philosophy major
will be as follows. The two changes from previous requirements are marked
with an asterisk (*).
Major in Philosophy
Major Study Requirements
31 hours distributed as follows:
- 202 Modern Philosophy (3 Credits)
- *211 Greek Philosophy (3 Credits)
- 352 Theory of Knowledge or 354 Metaphysics (3 Credits)
- 356 Symbolic Logic (4 Credits)
- 358 Ethical Theory (3 Credits)
- *Plus, 15 hours of electives, 6 of which must be at the 400 level or above. (Normally 100 level Philosophy courses will count only if taken prior to any 200 level or higher courses.)
2. What are the precise changes to the Pre-Law Philosophy major?
Effective fall 2011, the requirements for the Pre-Law Philosophy major
will be as follows. The change from previous requirements is marked
with an asterisk (*).
Philosophy Major, Pre-Law Concentration
30-31 hours distributed as follows:
- 156 Reasoning and Critical Thinking (3 Credits) or 356 Symbolic Logic
(4 Credits)
- 202 Modern Philosophy (3 Credits)
- *211 Greek Philosophy (3 Credits)
- 352 Theory of Knowledge (3 Credits)
- 358 Ethical Theory (3 Credits)
- 371 Classical Social and Political Philosophy (3 credits) or 372 Modern
Social and Political Philosophy (3 credits)
- 381 Philosophy of Law and Morals (3 Credits)
- Plus, 9 hours of Philosophy electives, 6 of which must be at the 300 level or above. (Normally 100 level Philosophy courses will count only if taken prior to any 200 level or higher courses.)
3. What is the difference between Phil 201: Greek Thought and the new course Phil 211: Greek Philosophy?
Phil 201: Greek Thought fulfills the College of Arts and Sciences core curriculum requirement in the Humanities, and as such, it covers a broader range of themes and issues than Phil 211: Greek Philosophy. For instance, at the discretion of the instructor, Phil 201 will include readings in Greek literature and history and encounters with masterpieces of Greek art. On the other hand, Phil 211: Greek Philosophy will consistently focus on the major philosophers and philosophical questions in the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods. The course also includes more extensive readings and writing assignments than Phil 201, and enrollments in Phil 211 will be smaller, allowing the course to be conducted more like a seminar.
4. I declared my general/Pre-Law major in Philosophy prior to fall 2011. Will these changes have any impact on my progress in completing the degree?
No. Your audit report will reflect the major requirements that were in place during the semester you declared the major. More specifically:
- If you declared either the general or Pre-Law major prior to fall 2011 and already took Phil 201, then this course will count towards your major requirements.
- If you declared the general major prior to fall 2011 and already took one of Phil 402, 403, 404, 406, 409, 410, 412, 413, 421, 422, 441 or 442, then this course will count towards your major requirements.
5. I declared my general/Pre-Law major in Philosophy prior to fall 2011 but have not yet fulfilled the Phil 201: Greek Philosophy requirement. Should I now take Phil 211 instead of Phil 201?
Yes, although you are not required to do so. Since your audit report will list Phil 201 as a requirement for the major, you can take Phil 201 to complete your degree requirements. However, we would strongly encourage you to take Phil 211 instead, because this course will include content that will give you a strong foundation in Greek Philosophy. (See Question 3 above.)
NOTE: If you declared the major prior to fall 2011 and opt to take Phil 211 to fulfill the major requirements, then you must contact the Undergraduate Advisor and request that Phil 211 substitute for Phil 201. To process the substitution, please supply the Undergraduate Advisor the following information: (1) your name as it listed on your transcript; (2) the major you are completing (general or Pre-Law); (3) your Banner ID number; and (4) the semester you completed, or will complete, Phil 211. You can find the UA’s office hours and email address here.
6. I declared my general/Pre-Law major in Philosophy prior to fall 2011. Can I opt to complete the new requirements for the major rather than those that were in effect when I declared?
Yes, you can choose to complete the new requirements. To make this change to your record, you must consult with in an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office. Ask the advisor to process this change to your major requirements so that your audit report reflects the new requirements for the major.
7. I plan to declare my general/Pre-Law major in Philosophy in fall 2011. Can I opt to complete the requirements that were in effect prior to fall 2011?
Yes, as long as you were enrolled at UNM prior to fall 2011. If you would prefer to complete the degree requirements that were listed in the UNM catalog prior to fall 2011, consult with in an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office. Ask the advisor to process this change to your major requirements so that your audit report reflects the previous requirements for the major.
8. I declared the general major in Philosophy prior to fall 2011. Can I use any 400-level course to complete the 400-level requirement?
Yes, you can substitute any 400-level Philosophy course to fulfill the current 400-level requirement (according to which you must take one of the following courses: Phil 402, 403, 404, 406, 409, 410, 412, 413, 421, 422, 441 or 442). To process this substitution, you must contact the Undergraduate Advisor and supply the following information: (1) your name as it listed on your transcript; (2) the major you are completing (general or Pre-Law); (3) your Banner ID number; (4) the name and number of the 400-level course you like to count towards your degree requirements; and (5) the semester you completed the 400-level course. You can find the UA’s office hours and email address here.
NOTE: This substitution can only be processed if you earned a C or higher in the 400-level course you would like to use towards your degree requirements.
9. I am minoring in Philosophy. Have the requirements for the minor changed?
No. We will likely update the minor requirements in the near future,
but for now, students minoring in Philosophy are still required to take
2 of the following classes: Phil 101, 201, or 202.
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I’m graduating with a degree in Philosophy this coming year
1. Is there a typical career path that Philosophy students pursue after they graduate?
No. While many Philosophy students decide to attend law school or graduate
school, there is no “typical” path that’s been taken by graduates of
the UNM Philosophy program. Our alumni have put their skills and talents
to use in a wide variety of fields, including business, law, medicine,
library science, publishing, foreign service, public administration,
social work, and (elementary, secondary, and post-secondary) education.
2. Does UNM provide resources that will help
me decide on a career path?
Yes. We encourage you to talk to
a Career Development Facilitator at UNM’s Office of Career Services
(www.career.unm.edu). These facilitators are available
to help current UNM students and alumni assess their abilities and interests,
clarify their career goals, write a resume or cover letter, and conduct
a job search.
3. I’m interested in applying to graduate programs in Philosophy. Is my only option to pursue a doctorate (Ph.D.)?
No. You can also pursue a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Philosophy.
Not every graduate program in Philosophy offers a terminal M.A., so
you will have to research which schools have this degree as an option.
Some schools that offer a terminal M.A. in Philosophy include (in alphabetical
order): Brandeis University, California State University – Los Angeles,
Colorado State University, Georgia State University, the University
of Houston, the University of Missouri – St. Louis, UNM, Northern Illinois
University, the University of Oregon, San Francisco State University,
Texas A & M, Texas Tech University, Tufts University, Western Michigan
University, and the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.
4. I’m interested in applying to graduate programs in Philosophy but I’m not sure if it’s a good option for me.
Is there someone in the Philosophy Department I can contact?
Yes. You can speak with our current Undergraduate Student Advisor to get some general insight into studying Philosophy at the graduate level.
However, you will get better advice from Philosophy faculty members from whom you’ve taken several courses. Since they are familiar with your
academic skills and talents, they can help you determine whether you a prepared for the sort of writing and research you will have to complete in
graduate school.
5. Are there general factors to consider as I decide whether I should apply for graduate programs in Philosophy?
Yes. Although each student will have a unique experience applying for and attending graduate school, here are some things that are generally true:
1) Completing an M.A. in Philosophy typically requires at least 2 years
of full-time study, while completing a Ph.D. in Philosophy typically
requires 6 to 8 years of full-time study;
2) Admission into Philosophy graduate programs is very competitive (in
any given year, a graduate program with a strong reputation will receive
upwards of 300 applications and admit less than 10 students into their
program);
3) Finishing a graduate degree in Philosophy can be very costly (even
students who are admitted into a graduate program with some funding
typically need to supplement their income with student loans); and
4) There are many more people with Ph.D.s in Philosophy than there are
openings at colleges and universities to teach Philosophy (according
to a recent estimate, for every job opening to teach Philosophy at the
post-secondary level there are 3 qualified applicants).
6. All that sounds very grim. Are there any positive
factors to consider as I decide whether I should apply for graduate
programs in Philosophy?
Yes, and the positives are very positive. As a graduate student
in Philosophy, you will have the freedom to investigate the philosophical
problems and figures that interest you, the opportunity to connect with
students and faculty members who share your philosophical interests,
the freedom to manage your time as you see fit, and in many cases, the
opportunity to craft and teach undergraduate Philosophy courses. For
a better sense of how one can strike a balance between these positive
aspects of graduate study with the less-than-positive aspects, talk
to members of the UNM Philosophy faculty as well as our current graduate
students.
7. I’m interested in applying to graduate programs
in Philosophy but I’m not sure which schools I should consider. How
can I narrow my list of possibilities?
Most graduate programs in Philosophy have particular strengths
(which are associated with the number of faculty working in a specific
field), and you should apply to programs that have strengths which correlate
with your interests. For instance, if you are interested in studying
and researching non-Western Philosophy at the graduate level, then,
among other places, you should consider applying to the University of
Hawaii. To learn more about the strengths of particular Philosophy programs,
consult each program’s web site. Look at the research specialties of
different faculty members as well as the areas in which graduate courses
are commonly offered. You can also consult the Philosophical Gourmet
Report , a ranking of graduate programs in Philosophy (organized and edited by Brian Leiter).
8. I’ve decided to apply to law school and/or graduate school. Whom should I ask for letters of recommendation?
You’ll likely be asked to supply 3 letters of recommendation with your application, and in general, programs would like at least 2 of these letters to speak
to your academic abilities. For these letters, approach faculty members who are very familiar with your academic talents (for instance, professors with whom
you’ve had more than 1 class). For the third letter, you can request a letter from an additional faculty member or approach someone who is familiar with your
professional achievements (for instance, an employer or supervisor with whom you’ve worked for a year or more).
9. How should I approach a faculty member for a letter of recommendation?
You can request a letter of recommendation in person or via email. Whichever route you choose, be sure to offer your potential letter writer
specific information about your goals and the program(s) to which you are applying. You can do so by supplying a draft of your personal statement
along with a current resume. Also, be sure to give your letter writers ample time to compose their letters. Err on the side of caution and make your
requests at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to your application deadline.
10. I’ve been asked to include a personal statement with my application to law school and/or graduate school.
What should I include in my personal statement?
While there are different strategies for composing a personal statement, be sure to aim for clarity and emphasize 1) that you’re serious about
the program to which you’re applying and 2) that you’re prepared for the challenges you’ll face when completing your post-graduate work.
11. Does the Philosophy Department hold a convocation ceremony for its graduates?
Yes. The Philosophy convocation ceremony is held each May, typically on the Saturday afternoon following Finals Week, the same day that
UNM holds its general convocation ceremony. Undergraduate and graduate students who are graduating in May (or who graduated in December)
will be contacted by the Philosophy Department in March or April with more details about our ceremony.
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I have questions about the Philosophy program that were not answered above
Is there someone I can contact?
The Undergraduate Student Advisor (UA) for Philosophy. Go to the Contact Information section of our web site and click on "Advisement Contacts" to find the contact information and office hours for our current UA.
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