The Etownian >> Features
New Philosophy Department Changes Highlighted
Monday October 20 2008
Recently renovated, the philosophy program has dedicated itself to putting a fresher spin on its major and minor course offerings. The major now has three tracks students can choose between: the philosophy of science, professional ethics and humanities. In order for a student to receive a major in philosophy, they only need to take six courses from within the department, as well as three courses from outside the department. The three courses outside the department must be relevant to the students chosen track. Those outside courses can also count as credit for both the philosophy major and other classes such as core requirements or another major. In order to receive a minor in philosophy, the only requirement is 12 hours worth of class: a 100, 200 and 300 level course respectively. “These requirements make for a very user-friendly department in terms of majoring or minoring in a timely fashion,” said Elizabethtown professor Michael Silberstein of the philosophy department.
The Elizabethtown College Web site formally states, “A major in philosophy is an excellent preparation for those going on to graduate school and for those planning professional vocations. It is an especially good background for the law, the ministry, computer science, and the natural sciences ... The program is designed to give the student maximum opportunity to get a broad, liberal education and to develop special skills along the way.”
“Our primary goal is to educate students who will not only go on to successful professional careers, but who also will cultivate the intellectual and moral fiber to live life well,” said Professor Silberstein. “The department of philosophy stresses interdisciplinary study and students have flexibility in determining their own particular programs.”
Philosophy, while always interesting, challenges the mind. The New York Times article “In a New Generation of College Students, Many Opt for Life Examined” said that, “Once scoffed at as a luxury major, philosophy is being embraced at other universities by a new generation of college students who are drawing modern-day lessons from the age-old discipline as they try to make sense of their world, from the morality of the war in Iraq to the latest political scandal. The economic downturn has done little, if anything, to dampen this enthusiasm among students, who say that what they learn in class can translate into practical skills and careers.”
Majoring in philosophy has become more popular over the years as well. David E. Schrader, executive director of the American Philosophical Association and an adjunct professor at the University of Delaware said, “In an era in which people change careers frequently, philosophy makes sense.”
All over the world, more colleges are offering undergraduate philosophy programs. The numbers have increased to 817 from 765 nearly a decade ago. “It’s a major that helps them become quick learners and gives them strong skills in writing, analysis and critical thinking,” said Schrader. “The demand for philosophy courses had outpaced the resources at some colleges, where students are often turned away. Some are enrolling in online courses instead. As the approach has changed, philosophy has attracted students with little interest in contemplating the classical texts, or what is known as armchair philosophy.”
Receiving a degree in philosophy can be extremely beneficial after graduation as well. “Philosophy graduates are all the rage with employers. Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show philosophy graduates, once derided as unemployable layabouts, are in growing demand from employers. The number of all graduates in full-time and part-time work six months after graduation has risen by 9 percent between 2002-03 and 2005-06; for philosophy graduates it has gone up by 13 percent,” states a November article entitled I Think Therefore I Earn portrayed in United Kingdom’s newspaper The Guardian. “The Higher Education Careers Services Unit, which also collates data of this kind, agrees philosophers are finding it easier to secure work. Its figures show that, in 2001, 9.9 percent of philosophy graduates were unemployed six months after graduation. In 2006, just 6.7 percent were. On average, 6 percent of all graduates were unemployed six months after graduation.”
There are a few basic undisputed facts about philosophy majors that have been true for decades.
On average, philosophy graduates perform outstandingly well on their LSATs, the pre-Law exam. Only math and economics students score more highly. All other humanities, social and natural science majors on average do less well.
Philosophy students also perform well on the GRE exam (for general entrance into graduate school.) On the verbal part of the GRE, philosophy majors outperform English majors. Overall, philosophy is the highest scoring Humanities major.
Philosophy graduates also do well on MCAT, the entrance exam for medical school.
If you are interested in majoring or minoring in philosophy, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Silberstein or any of the other philosophy department professors for more information.
The Etownian >> Features