Page 160 of Boston College 2003-2004 Catalog by Boston College University

ARTS AND SCIENCES Stuart B. Martin, Associate Professor; A.B., Sacred Heart College; L.M.H., Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies; A.M., Ph.D., Fordham University Vanessa P. Rumble, Associate Professor; B.A., Mercer University; Ph.D., Emory University Francis Soo, Associate Professor; A.B., Berchmans College; A.M., University of Philippines; B.S.T., Fu-Jen University; A.M., Harvard University; Ph.D., Boston College Eileen C. Sweeney, Associate Professor; B.A., University of Dallas; M.A., Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin Ronald K. Tacelli, S.J., Associate Professor; A.B., Boston College; M.Div., Weston College; Ph.D., University of Toronto Marina B. McCoy, Assistant Professor; B.A., Earlham College; M.A., Ph.D., Boston University Gerard C. OBrien, S.J., Assistant Professor; A.B., A.M., Boston College; Ph.D., Fordham University David McMenamin, Adjunct Associate Professor; B.A., Fordham University; M.A., Villanova University; Ph.D., Boston College Brian J. Braman, Adjunct Assistant Professor; B.S., Central Michigan University; St.B., Gregorian University, Rome; M.A., Gonzaga University; Ph.D., Boston College Daniel J. Dwyer, Adjunct Assistant Professor; B.A., University of Notre Dame; Ph.D., The Catholic University of America Laura Garcia, Adjunct Assistant Professor; B.A., Westmont College; Ph.D., University of Notre Dame Paul McNellis, S.J., Adjunct Assistant Professor; B.A., Cornell University; M.Hum., Fordham University; B.A., Ph.L., Georgian University, Rome, Italy; Ph.D., Boston College Albert K. Whitaker, Adjunct Assistant Professor; B.A., M.A., Boston University; Ph.D., University of Chicago Departmental Notes Department Administrator: Peggy Bakalo, 617-552-3877, bakalo@bc.edu Department Secretary: Rose Marie DeLeo, 617-552- 3847, deleoro@bc.edu Department Secretary: Bonnie Waldron, 617-552-3845 World Wide Web: http://fmwww.bc.edu/PL/ Fax: 617-552-3874 Undergraduate Program Description Philosophical study at Boston College provides the opportunity for open-ended inquiry and reflection on the most fundamental questions about ourselves and our world. The Philosophy Department offers a broad spectrum of courses in the history of philosophy (ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary), and a special focus on Continental Philosophy from Kant to the present. Faculty also teach and conduct research in metaphysics, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, ethics, and social and political philosophy. In addition to these areas of specialization, provision is made for interdisciplinary programs. The Philosophy department offers a program of courses allowing for concentration in the following specialized areas: ancient, medieval, modern, contemporary american, contemporary continental, and the philosophies of religion and science. Undergraduate students may, with the approval of the Chairperson and the individual professor, enroll in certain graduate philosophy courses. The Department offers to qualified students the opportunity to do independent research under the direction of a professor. The Department also participates in the Scholar of the College Program, details of which are to be found in the Arts and Sciences section. Undergraduate majors who plan to do graduate work in philosophy will be prepared more than adequately to meet all requirements of graduate schools. Major Requirements Working under the guidance of faculty advisors, students are encouraged to design a well-balanced program that will give them a solid foundation in the history of philosophy and yet allow for development of their major interests. Philosophy majors begin with one of the Philosophy Core offerings. History of Philosophy (Electives) This sequence is intended for students who have completed the Core requirement in philosophy and who wish to understand the history of Western thought in greater depth. Through study of the major thinkers in the history of philosophy, students will have the opportunity to develop a critical appreciation for the complexity of each philosophers thought including: the influences which have shaped each thinkers ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology, and the rich legacy which in turn has passed on. Open to both majors and non-majors, these courses are recommended especially for those who consider pursuing graduate study in philosophy and wish a thorough grounding in its history. Students are free to take selected courses or the sequence in its entirety. PL 405 Greek Philosophy PL 406 Modern Philosophy PL 407 Medieval Philosophy PL 408 Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Philosophy Philosophy Minor The Philosophy minor is structured to give students several thematic options which correspond to the traditional divisions of philosophical inquiry: Ethical and Political Philosophy Aesthetics Philosophy of Religion History and Philosophy of Science The Department will offer in each of these areas a sequence of courses that will build on the foundation of our Core courses. Each student will design his or her own minor in consultation with a faculty advisor. Each program will consist of a coherent blend of required and elective courses. With the permission of the instructor seniors may participate in some graduate seminars. Information for First Year Majors and Non-Majors The Department offers students three basic options for fulfilling the Universitys two-semester Core requirement in Philosophy: Core Program, Perspectives Program, and PULSE Program. Core Programs The Core requirement for all undergraduates is six credits in philosophy. The options and the requirements they fulfill are listed below: PL 070-071 Philosophy of the Person (Fall/Spring) This is a two-semester, six-credit course that fulfills the Core requirement in Philosophy. PL 281-282 Philosophy of Human Existence This is a two-semester, six-credit course that fulfills the Core requirement in Philosophy. Perspectives Program I-IV The Perspectives Program at Boston College is a four-year interdisciplinary program centered upon the great books of the Western intellectual tradition. It integrates the humanities and natural sciences in order to help students work out for themselves a set of coherent answers to such questions as the following: Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? The Perspectives Program seeks 158 The Boston College Catalog 2003-2004

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