The Department of Philosophy provides a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The program offers the opportunity for examining major philosophers and areas from ancient times to the present. These include issues that are matters of continuing human concern: Is there a God? What is knowledge and how is it acquired? What is the basis of right and wrong? What is the most just form of government? Is my behavior genuinely free or determined by prior causes? The study of philosophy helps students to understand these kinds of fundamental issues and provides the critical skills needed to examine them.
The major provides students with excellent preparation in the field. Students receive strong training in analytical and writing skills and a broad knowledge of the subject. The flexible structure of the program also enables each student to focus on his or her particular area of interest. In addition to courses available in the history of Ancient and Modern Philosophy, there are courses in Ethics, Logic, Philosophy of Religion, Political Philosophy, Theory of Knowledge, Contemporary Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, and Existentialism.
There are two minors and a pre-law emphasis that students can enroll in as well. These provide students an excellent way to complement a major from another discipline.
Our faculty conduct internationally recognized research and innovative, technologically-enhanced instruction. Grounded in practical experience but exploring the frontiers of their disciplines, they are models of academic excellence.
The Department of Philosophy invites Seton Hall students to submit essays to its Philosophy Essay Competition. The best essay will be awarded a cash prize of $250.
The essay (one entry per student) can be a revised term paper or a newly composed essay. The length of the essay should be 10-15 pages (double-spaced, excluding endnotes and bibliography). The essay should be prepared for blind review (only the essay's cover sheet should list the name and e-mail address of the author and no reference to the author should be made in the essay or the footnotes of the essay). Three paper copies should be submitted to the Chair of the Philosophy Department by April 1.
Each essay will be evaluated by three of the department's fulltime professors. The winner will be informed by the end of April.
