Philosophy

The Associate Degrees in Philosophy are designed to prepare students for upper division work in the major. A student with an interest in philosophy would ordinarily transfer to a four-year college or university in order to obtain a Bachelor's Degree. Students who subsequently finish a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy will have pursued a course of study enabling the development of critical, analytical and creative skills applicable to graduate work in many professional schools where a basic liberal education is assumed. A person who is interested in teaching philosophy must obtain a Master's Degree to be employed by a community college, or a Ph.D. in order to teach at the university level. While some philosophy majors may want to continue a further study in the discipline, others will have developed capacities for written and oral communication, evaluation of assumptions and argument structure, and decision making that enable them to succeed in such professions as law, medicine, business and public service. As such, training in philosophy is designed to help develop some of the most transferable of all job skills.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes  
In accordance with its mission of ensuring that all students shall have equal access to a quality education and the opportunity to pursue and achieve their goals, it is also the college’s responsibility to ensure that students who graduate with an AA or AS degree should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

Communication Skills    
Students will demonstrate reading comprehension and expository writing skills at a college level.

Information Skills    
Students will define information needs, access information efficiently and effectively, evaluate information critically, and use information ethically.

Critical Thinking/Problem solving    
Students will use quantitative and logical reasoning to analyze information, evaluate ideas, and solve problems.

Global Awareness             
Students will demonstrate knowledge of global interdependence; others’ values, cultures and beliefs; and the ability to describe one’s own cultural heritage

Aesthetic Appreciation  
Students will critically reflect upon works of visual and performing arts in a diverse cultural context.

Personal Growth and Responsibility 
(a) Students will select lifestyle choices that promote physical and mental well-being.        
(b) Students will demonstrate the importance of being an informed, ethical, and active citizen in their community and the world.