The Philosophy Department at
SJSU can offer you a Philosophy Program of very high quality, small classes in
your major, an active student body, and support for your academic growth. The
Department of Philosophy has been recognized for its breadth and the scholarly
activity of its faculty. The Department is strong in traditional areas of
philosophy and active in innovative ones (e.g., Feminist Philosophy; Applied
Philosophy). The Department is noted for its treatment of philosophy in a global
context (Comparative Philosophy; Asian Philosophy; African and African American
Philosophies), and for its engagement with issues reflecting itsSilicon Valley
setting (Computers and Philosophy; Science, Technology and Human Values;
Philosophy of Technology; Philosophy of Science).
For more information about the programs that we offer, please visit
the curriculum section of our site.
The Philosophy Department has four missions similar to, and
based on, the university missions:
To enrich the lives of its students through
philosophical study, discussion, and reflection
To transmit knowledge of philosophy to its students
along with
The necesssary skills for applying it in service of
our society (helping bring philosophical ideas to bear on important community
issues), and
To expand the base of knowledge through promotion of faculty
and student research and scholarship in philosophy.
These missions are distinct but mutually supportive.
BA Philoshophy Learning Outcomes
Students will
be able to identify and discuss, in both written and
oral fashion, major figures and ideas in various historical periods and in
various traditions from around the world
be able to identify and discuss, in both written and
oral fashion, core areas of Philosophy
be able to identify and discuss, in both written and
oral fashion, the methods used in various major philosophical traditions
have the ability to read texts carefully and to
identify and critique the arguments expressed in these texts
have the ability to understand oral presentations and
to identify and critique the arguments expressed in these communications
have the ability to successfully carry out research
projects
have the ability to successfully collect and evaluate
information
have high level skills in communication and critical
inquiry
have an ability to critically reflect on issues in
the sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts, and express this
reflection in both written and oral forms
have an understanding of the demands of responsible
citizenship and an understanding of how to make and defend ethical choices
have an understanding of the ways in which culture,
race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, sexual orientation, and national
membership influence perceptions about reality, knowledge, and value
MA Philosophy Learning Outcomes
Graduates with a MA in Philosophy will:
be able to identify and discuss, both orally and in a
sustained major written essay, and in a written exam taken without the benefit
of notes, major figures and ideas in various historical periods and in various
traditions from around the world.
be able to identify and discuss, both orally and in a
sustained major written essay, core areas of Philosophy.
be able to identify and discuss, both orally and in a
sustained major written essay, the methods used in various major philosophical
traditions, and
have the ability to read texts carefully and to
identify and critique the arguments expressed in these texts.
develop and present in written and oral form their
own philosophical positions and defend them using philosophically sound
reasoning.
have the ability to understand oral presentations and
to identify and critique the arguments expressed in these communications.
have high level skills in communication, critical
inquiry and the ability to collect and evaluate information successfully,
demonstrate intellectual curiosity and academic
integrity, as well as high level writing and research skills, in their own
original research.
have an ability to reflect critically on issues in
the sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts, and express this
reflection in both oral and written forms.
have an understanding of the demands of responsible
citizenship and an understanding of how to make and defend ethical choices.
have an understanding of the ways in which culture,
race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, sexual orientation, and national
membership influence perceptions about reality, knowledge and value.
be able to teach and assess all these skills and competencies
at the lower division undergraduate level.
