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Overview

Faculty

Justin Clark

Katheryn Doran (away spring 2021, New York City Program)
A. Todd Franklin
Marianne Janack (on leave spring 2021)
Russell Marcus, chair
Alexandra Plakias

Special Appointment

Suraj Chaudhary

The goal of Hamilton’s Philosophy Department is to work with students to develop the skills of critical analysis, powerful speaking, and clear writing, skills alumni find of singular practical use in a wide variety of careers, and indispensable to their work as responsible citizens. We emphasize the value of philosophical examination for understanding broad issues that concern us all.

The concentration in philosophy consists of nine courses:

  1. PHIL-201, PHIL-203, and PHIL-550; and
  2. One logic course: either PHIL-100, PHIL-200 or PHIL-240; and
  3. Three additional courses at the 400 level, none of which may be cross-listed from outside the department; and
  4. Two electives in philosophy.
  5. Concentrators must also satisfy the Social, Structural, and Institutional Hierarchies (SSIH) requirement in a course so designated. Concentrators may satisfy the SSIH requirement with a course they are counting toward the concentration requirements 1-4 above.

No more than one of the nine courses counted toward the concentration may be at the 100 level. Any course may be taken credit/no credit for the concentration or minor except 550.

Concentrators normally complete PHIL-201, PHIL-203 and the logic requirement (either PHIL-100, PHIL-200 or PHIL-240) by the end of their sophomore year.

Senior concentrators complete the Senior Seminar (PHIL-550) in the fall of the senior year. Each student in PHIL-550 will complete a senior project.

Candidates for honors must have a 3.7 in all courses in philosophy, and must also have an A in the senior project, and at least an A- in 550.

A minor in philosophy can be of two kinds: standard (five courses consisting of one course from among PHIL-100, PHIL-200 or PHIL-240; PHIL-201, PHIL-203 and two other courses, one of which must be at the 400 level); or thematic (five courses in philosophy that are thematically related, one of which must be at the 400 level).  No more than one of the five courses counted toward the minor may be at the 100 level.  No more than one course taken outside of Hamilton will count toward the minor. 

Students who wish to declare a thematic minor should so indicate on the declaration of minor form.  To certify completion of the thematic minor, students submit to the Philosophy Department Chair a list of 5 courses they either have taken or for which they are registered, along, with a reflective explanation of how the courses are thematically linked. After the Chair approves of the list and reflection, the student submits a copy of that explanation, with the Chair’s approval, to the Registrar.

First-year students may enroll in PHIL-200, PHIL-203, or PHIL-240 with no prerequisites. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may enroll in PHIL-200, PHIL-201, PHIL-203, or PHIL-240 with no prerequisites.