Philosophy Learning Outcomes

After Pacific | Philosophy majors often pursue careers in teaching, law, politics, health care, counseling, publishing and business. Graduates of our philosophy program are effective at analyzing problems, articulating ideas and keeping a sharp focus on details and big-picture issues. Our graduates are doctors, lawyers, college professors, business leaders and graduate students.


Student Learning Outcomes

As a department, our goal is to educate our students with respect to the history, interpretive frameworks, and analytical techniques of the discipline of Philosophy; given this goal, graduating majors should be able to:

  • exhibit a general understanding of the history and development of Philosophy and a specific understanding of some portion of that history
  • describe and critique several of the most important historical and contemporary interpretive frameworks used in the discipline of Philosophy (for example, Plato's Theory of Forms, the utilitarian approach to ethics, and the existentialist analysis of the human condition)
  • apply the analytical techniques of the discipline of Philosophy (for example, by presenting orally and in writing succinct analyses of philosophical texts and coherently structured arguments in defense of their own philosophical claims).

Program Purpose

The Department of Philosophy seeks to acquaint students with various philosophical traditions, to present the chief philosophic problems and types of Philosophy, and to help students cultivate the art and skill of philosophical analysis as well as the intellectual, civic, and moral virtues of the discipline of Philosophy— for example, intellectual integrity, objectivity, resilience in the face of obstacles and daunting problems, a commitment to consistency, a knack for seeing and articulating what issues are at stake, the courage to cross-examine opinions that one holds dear, respect for interlocutors and colleagues, a felt obligation to contribute to one's community.

The department seeks to serve those students who intend to pursue graduate studies, those pursuing interdisciplinary career programs, and those who simply desire to understand human reflective traditions in order to enlarge their own horizon of awareness.