2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Department of Philosophy
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 Return to: 3000 College of Arts and Sciences and Departments
Eddy Nahmias, Chair
Eric Wilson, Director of Undergraduate Studies
S.M. Love, Pre-Law Advisor
Law and Ethics
A study of the philosophy of the law can deepen our understanding of the proper foundations, limits, and applications of legal authority. Legal theorists often consider the meaning of legal doctrine but philosophers of law help to frame the ethical considerations that guide and constrain the law. The minor in law and ethics gives students the skills and knowledge needed for a critical assessment of law, especially in light of the principles of ethics and social values. The minor also improves argumentative, writing, and logical skills invaluable for law school and many other careers in legal fields. The minor in law and ethics is designed to be a complement to any major. Students with majors in the humanities or social sciences planning a career in law, public service, advocacy, or policy are particularly encouraged to consider the minor in law and ethics.
Law and Society
Faculty Coordinator: Michael Fix, mfix@gsu.edu
This program emphasizes the social sciences and humanities perspectives of the law. Drawing on the disciplines of political science, sociology, history, English, philosophy, psychology, criminal justice, and business law, the Law and Society area of concentration offers the student a broad liberal but nonprofessional background in law. It is a viable option for pre-law students. For students interested in the program, please contact the program coordinator or the Department of Political Science (404-413-6159).
Program Admission
Students may enroll in a concentration upon admission to Georgia State University. Students who wish to change their major to this degree program should select a concentration in consultation with their academic advisor and the faculty coordinator. A 2.0 Georgia State University GPA is required.
Students who enroll in a concentration will be required to submit a course plan checklist to demonstrate their understanding of the degree requirements. It is highly recommended that students develop a course of study with their specific faculty coordinator before taking coursework in the degree program to avoid taking courses that will not count towards graduation.
Academic Advisement for Undergraduate Students
Academic advisement for undergraduate students is provided through the University Advisement Center (freshman through junior status/fewer than 90 hours) and the college’s Office of Academic Assistance (senior status/90 or more hours). See Office of Academic Assistance for additional information.
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Arts students should also consult regularly with the faculty program coordinator for the specific program regarding course selection, program plans, experiential learning, and other academic opportunities.
Graduation with Distinction in the Major
This unit offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the undergraduate director for the specific criteria for this honor.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of what exists, how we know, and how to live. Students of philosophy consider questions about the scientific method, human nature, justice, God, art, and the meaning of life. Philosophy majors develop the intellectual abilities to think critically and to write and communicate effectively. They learn to apply these valuable skills in other disciplines, in their career, and in their life. Because philosophy deals with fundamental questions and explores methods for answering them, it is highly interdisciplinary, connecting to every other discipline in the university curriculum. Hence, philosophy is an ideal double major or minor. Philosophy prepares students for careers and graduate programs that value the abilities to solve problems, to communicate clearly, to learn new skills, and to use new knowledge. It is an excellent major for a wide range of careers, including law, government, the sciences, medicine, public service, education, religion, writing, media, and all areas of business.
The Department of Philosophy offers a B.A. in Philosophy and B.A. in Philosophy with a Pre-Law Concentration, as well as a minor in Philosophy and a minor in Law and Ethics. The Department maintains an extensive website at philosophy.gsu.edu.
Academic Advisement for Undergraduate Students
Academic advisement for undergraduate students is provided through the University Advisement Center (freshman through junior status/fewer than 90 hours) and the college’s Office of Academic Assistance (senior status/90 or more hours). See Office of Academic Assistance for additional information.
Graduation with Distinction
To graduate with distinction in the Philosophy major, the student must have excelled in his or her philosophy courses and undergraduate career. For a student to earn Graduation with Distinction, the student must have at least a 3.5 GPA in the major and 3.5 GPA overall, must have passed PHIL 2500 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic , and must be in good academic standing. Rare exceptions may be made by faculty vote.
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Faculty Coordinator: Andrew J. Cohen (cohenaj@gsu.edu), Philosophy
Program Contact: Spencer Banzhaf (hsbanzhaf@gsu.edu), Economics
Program Contact: Peter Lindsay (plindsay2@gsu.edu), Political Science
Historically, Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics (PPE) were deeply connected. The father of modern economics, Adam Smith, was a philosopher concerned with moral and political philosophy. PPE, as a contemporary academic field of study, began at Oxford University in 1920 and has spread across the English-speaking world. The program at GSU helps students become familiar with and capable of contributing to ongoing debates about the nature of good political and economic institutions, as well as the policies and practices that are best suited for creating and sustaining them. More broadly, students develop the intellectual skills of both the social scientist, who seeks to understand how the social world operates, and the moral philosopher, who seeks to critically evaluate the social world in relation to how it ought to be. The program prepares students for careers and graduate programs that require independent thought with significant analytic and critical reasoning as well as writing. They are well-positioned for careers in law, government, public service, or entrepreneurial endeavors as well as Ph.D. programs in political science, philosophy, and economics. Moreover, they are ideally situated to contribute intelligently to the public dialogue of a vibrant democracy.
Program Admission
Students may enroll in a concentration upon admission to Georgia State University. Students who wish to change their major to this degree program should select a concentration in consultation with their academic advisor and the faculty coordinator. A 2.0 Georgia State University GPA is required.
Students who enroll in a concentration will be required to submit a course plan checklist to demonstrate their understanding of the degree requirements. It is highly recommended that students develop a course of study with their specific faculty coordinator before taking coursework in the degree program to avoid taking courses that will not count towards graduation.
Academic Advisement for Undergraduate Students
Academic advisement for undergraduate students is provided through the University Advisement Center (freshman through junior status/fewer than 90 hours) and the college’s Office of Academic Advisement (senior status/90 or more hours). See Office of Academic Assistance for additional information.
Graduation with Distinction in the Major
This unit offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. To graduate with distinction in the PPE program, the student must have excelled in his or her PPE courses and undergraduate career. For a student to earn Graduation with Distinction, the student must have at least a 3.5 GPA in the major and 3.5 GPA overall and must be in good academic standing. Rare exceptions may be made by faculty vote.
ProgramsMinorOther ProgramsCoursesPhilosophy
Return to: 3000 College of Arts and Sciences and Departments
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