Philosophy

Why choose philosophy at North Central College?

Students in this major become excellent writers, thinkers and speakers. You’ll be ready for anything after graduation, whether you attend graduate school or pursue a career ranging from law to business, religion to science. Why? Because the study of philosophy develops reasoning skills, which in turn enables you to argue effectively in writing and speech. You'll gain these skills by studying and discussing texts by philosophers and philosophy scholars.

You can also:

Enjoy small courses that are particularly insightful since they are led by full-time professors who encourage personal relationships and discussion.
Apply for research opportunities and internships in the Naperville area and throughout Chicago.

Alexandra Cook earns 2012 Outstanding Major in Spanish Award

Alexandra Cook of Palatine was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Spanish Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Szymon Kesek of Schiller Park earns 2012 Outstanding Major in Philosophy Award

Szymon Kesek of Schiller Park was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Philosophy Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Fisher gives his assessment of French philosopher

David Fisher, North Central College professor of philosophy, has published various chapters and essays on the work and thinking of philosopher Paul Ricoeur.

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Internships

Exhibitions intern, Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL

Graduate Schools

Recent graduates in philosophy have been accepted at:

San Francisco State University
Chicago Theological Seminary
Vanderbilt University
Southern Illinois University
Loyola University
University of California-San Diego
University of Kentucky

Careers

Recent graduates in philosophy include:

Philosophy professor
Technical writer
Executive-level administrator
Editor and publisher
Journalist
Philosophical counselor

Feature

Joshua Heyza

Philosophy

“North Central’s professors care what you think and take pride in helping you develop your own research interests, and I love research,” says Joshua.

Majoring in philosophy has been a good springboard for research. His first independent study - about ethics after the Holocaust - paired him with a faculty member who he says, “taught me a lot about research techniques.” Another faculty member enhanced his writing and research skills on his next project about Native American storytelling.

That project was accepted for presentation at a national conference. “This was the best opportunity. I learned to present in front of people and the whole experience motivated me to present two research projects at next year’s conference.”

“Clearly, at North Central, the benefit for me has been the time and attention I’ve had with my professors to ask them questions, pick their brains and get to know them.”

Joshua plans to pursue graduate school and possibly a Ph.D.

Feature

Matt Rogers

Philosophy major

Matt first studied philosophy at a large university and learned two important lessons: he wanted to add philosophy to his Japanese major and he wanted to transfer to a small college. At North Central, he found he could easily access his professors and also explore his interests in East Asian culture. “Philosophy is good for your critical thinking skills even if you’re majoring in something else,” he says. “I’d like to pursue graduate school in the future and I see myself teaching some day.” During Matt's junior year, he researched and published a paper titled “Exclusivism in Hick’s Pluralistic Hypothesis" in Aporia, an undergraduate journal of philosophy.

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