About the program

The Philosophy program from Marist College aims to produce students with a broad knowledge of the history of philosophy and topics in philosophy.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop and demonstrate critical thinking skills (in oral and written expression) and critical reading skills by learning to identify, analyze, and understand arguments.
• Students will recognize and develop an appreciation for the problems and challenges that arise in the major sub-divisions of philosophy by engaging in scholarly research and writing.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the development of philosophical ideas through our intellectual history by engaging in scholarly research and writing.
• Students will develop an understanding of and appreciation for how philosophy can inform and be informed by the concerns in other disciplines and everyday life.

Why Major or Minor in Philosophy at Marist?

Philosophy complements any area of study. Philosophy fine-tunes skills that are desirable among employers. Philosophy trains students to become creative problem-solvers. Philosophy encourages questioning accepted dogmas and subjecting them to rational critique. Training in philosophy enables students to look at challenges in new ways, focusing on dimensions of problems others may fail to address.

Thus, the study of philosophy engenders habits of thought that are regarded as desirable not only in other academic disciplines, but outside of colleges and universities, in business and finance, government, journalism, law, medicine, and, ministry.

What Can One Do With a Major or Minor in Philosophy?

Philosophy majors pursue a wide range of careers. Very few go on to do graduate work in philosophy and wind up as philosophy professors. Many go on to law school. A growing number are going on to medical school. But philosophy majors can be found in almost any profession. The fact is that the skills acquired as a result of studying philosophy are regarded as desirable in many careers. Especially when joined with majoring and minoring in another field, the combination of experiences makes philosophy students well-positioned to enter an array of careers.

A sample of the diversity of careers in which philosophy majors have been successful include arts and entertainment, broadcasting and journalism, business and finance, law and politics, religion, and many other areas. For instance, did you know that one of the writers and directors of The Big Lebowski (Ethan Coen) has a B.A. in philosophy?

Other famous figures who graduated with degrees in philosophy include the poet T.S. Eliot, actor and comedian Ricky Gervais, guitarist for the rock band Soundgarden Kim Thayil, novelist Mary Higgins Clark, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, journalist, Juan Williams, NBC News Anchor Stone Phillips, LA Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, billionaire financier Carl Icahn, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and many others.

Courses Included

• Foundations of American Social Thought
• Pragmatism
• Existentialism
• Ancient Philosophy
• Philosophy
• Medieval Philosophy
• Modern Philosophy