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Philosophy

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Why pursue a degree in Philosophy at North Central College?

Philosophers explore the fundamental questions that underlie our lives: questions about the meaning of justice, the nature of knowledge, and the purpose of human existence. In a philosophy major, you’ll become an excellent writer, speaker and thinker. Philosophy students are equipped for several different opportunities when they graduate, including graduate school or a career in business, law, medicine, religion or science. At North Central College, you can major in Philosophy or choose to add a Law and Society distinction. Law and Society students are especially interested in answering questions related to the philosophical dimensions of law, sociology and politics. Through this track, you’ll be prepared to attend law school or a career in civil service. Overall, in this program you will develop the reasoning skills needed to succeed in any career you choose.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Challenging established views using logic and reason
  • Asking, answering and arguing both basic and complicated questions
  • Seeking to understand what is moral, ethical, logical or metaphysical

then a degree in PHILOSOPHY might be for you.

Why study philosophy at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • 20th Century Philosophy
  • Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
  • Death and Dying
  • Ethical Theory
  • Ethics
  • Knowledge and Reality
  • Law and Order in Cross-Cultural Perspective
  • Logic and Critical Thinking
  • Modern Philosophy
  • Philosophy of Law
  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Power and Statecraft
  • Science and Religion: Conflict or Dialogue?
  • Social and Political Philosophy
  • Enjoy small courses that are particularly insightful because 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.

Beyond the Classroom

As a philosophy major, you can: 

  • Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • Get involved politically through NCC College Democrats or Republicans or Student Governing Association
  • Receive individualized coaching with our nationally ranked speech and debate team.

More Department information

Philosophy, B.A.

Philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, careful reading and reflection on the nature and purpose of human existence. Graduates are prepared for graduate study in philosophy and for a diverse range of careers, including education, social service and law. More importantly, they are prepared for a life of critical self-reflection and responsible citizenship.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Religious Studies.

A minimum of 32 credit hours, with at least three Philosophy courses at the 300-level or above, including:

Required Courses

History of Philosophy

Two of the following:

Normative Theory

One of the following:

  • PHIL 110 - Ethics

    PHIL 110 - Ethics

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of alternative bases for morality and the arguments by which moral claims are justified.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 310 - Ethical Theory

    PHIL 310 - Ethical Theory

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of topics in contemporary and/or classical ethical theory. Course may focus on key figures in ethical theory or issues in normative ethics and metaethics. Topics have included virtue ethics, feminist ethics and relationships between normative ethical theory and social or natural sciences.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 340 - Social and Political Philosophy

    PHIL 340 - Social and Political Philosophy

    4.00 credit hours

    An investigation of political philosophy in the Western philosophical tradition. Students question how we ought to live together, organize social life, and structure our political institutions. Topics covered include individual freedom, the distribution of property, ideal forms of government, race, gender, and class.

    Schedule Of Classes

Metaphysics/Epistemology

One of the following:

  • PHIL 250 - Philosophy of Mind

    PHIL 250 - Philosophy of Mind

    4.00 credit hours

    An introduction to the philosophy of mind, including such topics as the mind/body problem, the nature of consciousness, perception, and theories of mental content. Special attention is paid to philosophical questions that arise in psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 280 - Philosophy of Science

    PHIL 280 - Philosophy of Science

    4.00 credit hours

    An inquiry into the nature of scientific evidence, laws, explanations and theories, as well as the nature of the relationship between the natural and social sciences.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 360 - Philosophy of Religion

    PHIL 360 - Philosophy of Religion

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of the basic issues in the philosophy of religion, including the relation of faith and reason, the problem of the existence and nature of God.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 363 - Science and Religion: Conflict or Dialogue?

    PHIL 363 - Science and Religion: Conflict or Dialogue?

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of the contemporary dialogue between science and religion in relation to different Western and Asian religious traditions. The course considers the implications of recent scientific theories for understanding and assessing the belief systems of various theistic and non-theistic religions.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 380 - Knowledge and Reality

    PHIL 380 - Knowledge and Reality

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of such topics as theories of knowledge, truth and justification of belief, the problem of skepticism, the mind-body problem, the problem of universals and theories of being.

    Schedule Of Classes

Electives

Two additional courses in Philosophy.

Note:

  • IDEA 393 - The Evolution of Daoism

    IDEA 393 - The Evolution of Daoism

    4.00 credit hours

    This course explores the evolution of Daoism from the earliest masters to its popularization in the
    West through a student-centered pedagogy that focuses on in-depth reading and lively class discussion.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • RELG 215 - The Global Buddha: Permeating Space-Time

    RELG 215 - The Global Buddha: Permeating Space-Time

    4.00 credit hours

    A study of the global transformations of Buddhism from its initial development in India to its various formulations in Southeast, Central, and East Asia as well as its more recent manifestations in the West.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • RELG 250 - Death and Dying

    RELG 250 - Death and Dying

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of the meaning and mystery of death and dying from several religious, philosophical and scientific perspectives. The course also considers both spiritual practices and ethical issues connected to death and dying.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order

    RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of primary texts from the history of religious political philosophy with an eye to their relevance for understanding current events and challenges at the intersection of religion and politics. Emphasis is on Jewish, Christian and Muslim sources.

    Schedule Of Classes

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Philosophy, Law and Society Track, B.A.

The Law & Society track of the philosophy major couples a broad grounding in philosophy with an emphasis on legal, political and social theory. It is an excellent major for students considering law school.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Religious Studies.

A minimum 36 credit hours, with at least three Philosophy courses at the 300-level or above, including:

Required Courses

  • PHIL 230 - Logic and Critical Thinking

    PHIL 230 - Logic and Critical Thinking

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of inductive and deductive reasoning, formal and informal fallacies and rules and procedures for evaluating arguments.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 240 - Philosophy of Law

    PHIL 240 - Philosophy of Law

    4.00 credit hours

    An introduction to the concept of law, including such topics as the nature of law, liberty and law, justice, legal responsibility, punishment and theories of legal interpretation.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 340 - Social and Political Philosophy

    PHIL 340 - Social and Political Philosophy

    4.00 credit hours

    An investigation of political philosophy in the Western philosophical tradition. Students question how we ought to live together, organize social life, and structure our political institutions. Topics covered include individual freedom, the distribution of property, ideal forms of government, race, gender, and class.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 490 - Philosophy Capstone Seminar

    PHIL 490 - Philosophy Capstone Seminar

    4.00 credit hours

    Examination of a major philosopher or central problem in one of the areas of philosophy such as philosophy of mind, metaphysics, epistemology or value theory.

    Schedule Of Classes

History of Philosophy

Two of the following:

Legal, Political or Social Theory

One of the following:

  • ANTH 352 - Law and Order in Cross-Cultural Perspective

    ANTH 352 - Law and Order in Cross-Cultural Perspective

    4.00 credit hours

    Systems of conflict resolution, resource and property rights and social control and punishment in cross-cultural perspective. Correlation of legal systems with sociopolitical organization across time and space. Examination of classic ethnography from legal anthropology and of cases of contemporary indigenous customary law systems. Development of cultural competency for criminal justice professionals. Opportunities for related field study experience offered occasionally through ANTH 445.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • BUSN 205 - Business Law and Ethics

    BUSN 205 - Business Law and Ethics

    4.00 credit hours

    Surveys the major aspects of the law governing business and commerce including the domestic and international legal environment, the range of dispute resolution processes, legal liability including torts and negligence, contracts, employment law including employment discrimination, business entities, commercial transactions and intellectual property—all with particular emphasis on business ethics and ethical decision making.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • COMM 335 - Freedom of Expression

    COMM 335 - Freedom of Expression

    4.00 credit hours

    Examines the First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech, religion, press and association, and its role as a cornerstone of American democracy. Students study foundational U.S. Supreme Court cases that have defined and delimited these freedoms. They learn how to analyze legal and moral arguments and conduct basic legal research. They also develop an understanding of the political and philosophical conflicts surrounding the exercise of First Amendment freedoms.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • IDEA 220 - Power and Statecraft

    IDEA 220 - Power and Statecraft

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of influential accounts and critiques of the relationship between power and statecraft in various cultural traditions, both Western and non-Western, from 1500 to 1800. Particular emphasis is given to the development of Western imperialism as the dominant global force during this period.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • POLS 335 - Constitutional Law

    POLS 335 - Constitutional Law

    4.00 credit hours

    Introduction to constitutional law, with an emphasis on the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of Articles I, II, and III. This means that the course will cover how the nation's Court of last resort has helped shape the powers of and constraints on the three branches of our federal government. Students will also discuss and analyze topics like: the development of law surrounding the separation of powers, congressional power over the commerce clause, and the creation and demise of the concept of substantive due process.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • POLS 336 - Rights, Liberties and Justice

    POLS 336 - Rights, Liberties and Justice

    4.00 credit hours

    Introduction to civil liberties and civil rights. We will focus primarily on the decisions of the Supreme Court in areas of religion, speech, privacy, criminal procedure and discrimination. Along the way, we will discuss the historical development of constitutional civil rights and liberties and the politics of Supreme Court decision-making. Students will learn the major legal doctrines governing civil liberties and civil rights, as well as develop a better understanding of the process of Supreme Court decision-making.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • SOCI 350 - Social Life and Social Theory

    SOCI 350 - Social Life and Social Theory

    4.00 credit hours

    An introduction, review and application of classic and modern sociological theories to everyday life. Emphasis placed upon the attempts to understand the emergence of modern and post-modern times and the underlying problems brought about by these social developments. Applications of social thought to issues of work, marriage, deviance, presentations of self, love, police work, gender, consumer behavior and punishment.

    Schedule Of Classes

Electives

  • Two additional courses in Philosophy

Note:

  • IDEA 393 - The Evolution of Daoism

    IDEA 393 - The Evolution of Daoism

    4.00 credit hours

    This course explores the evolution of Daoism from the earliest masters to its popularization in the
    West through a student-centered pedagogy that focuses on in-depth reading and lively class discussion.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • RELG 215 - The Global Buddha: Permeating Space-Time

    RELG 215 - The Global Buddha: Permeating Space-Time

    4.00 credit hours

    A study of the global transformations of Buddhism from its initial development in India to its various formulations in Southeast, Central, and East Asia as well as its more recent manifestations in the West.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • RELG 250 - Death and Dying

    RELG 250 - Death and Dying

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of the meaning and mystery of death and dying from several religious, philosophical and scientific perspectives. The course also considers both spiritual practices and ethical issues connected to death and dying.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order

    RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of primary texts from the history of religious political philosophy with an eye to their relevance for understanding current events and challenges at the intersection of religion and politics. Emphasis is on Jewish, Christian and Muslim sources.

    Schedule Of Classes

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Philosophy Minor

Philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, careful reading, and reflection on the nature and purpose of human existence. A philosophy minor is an excellent compliment to any major, from business to science to art.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Philosophy and Religious Studies.

A minimum of 20 credit hours, with at least one Philosophy course at the 300-level or above, including:

Required Courses

  • PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy

    PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of basic questions in philosophy, such as how we can know anything, whether God exists, how moral judgments can be justified, whether people have souls and whether people have free will.

    Schedule Of Classes

History of Philosophy

One of the following:

Ethics

One of the following:

  • PHIL 110 - Ethics

    PHIL 110 - Ethics

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of alternative bases for morality and the arguments by which moral claims are justified.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 210 - Professional Ethics

    PHIL 210 - Professional Ethics

    4.00 credit hours

    Professional ethics in selected career fields including law, business and biomedicine. Students may apply basic concepts to the career of their choice, relate their personal ethics to professional ethics and become better informed consumers of professional services. This course begins with an examination of the alternative bases for making moral judgments.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 213 - Health Care Ethics

    PHIL 213 - Health Care Ethics

    4.00 credit hours

    Considers fundamental ethical questions concerning health care and applies ethics to contemporary debates such as abortion.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 225 - Environmental Ethics

    PHIL 225 - Environmental Ethics

    4.00 credit hours

    After a brief examination of philosophical ethical frameworks, the following will be considered: the history of environmental ethics; the problem of the "moral status" of nonhuman animals and other aspects of nature: the environment and "the good life," ethical issues related to population growth, sustainability, diminishing/vanishing resources and the use of cost benefit analysis in environmental policy.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHIL 310 - Ethical Theory

    PHIL 310 - Ethical Theory

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of topics in contemporary and/or classical ethical theory. Course may focus on key figures in ethical theory or issues in normative ethics and metaethics. Topics have included virtue ethics, feminist ethics and relationships between normative ethical theory and social or natural sciences.

    Schedule Of Classes

Electives

Two additional courses in Philosophy

Note:

  • IDEA 393 - The Evolution of Daoism

    IDEA 393 - The Evolution of Daoism

    4.00 credit hours

    This course explores the evolution of Daoism from the earliest masters to its popularization in the
    West through a student-centered pedagogy that focuses on in-depth reading and lively class discussion.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • RELG 215 - The Global Buddha: Permeating Space-Time

    RELG 215 - The Global Buddha: Permeating Space-Time

    4.00 credit hours

    A study of the global transformations of Buddhism from its initial development in India to its various formulations in Southeast, Central, and East Asia as well as its more recent manifestations in the West.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • RELG 250 - Death and Dying

    RELG 250 - Death and Dying

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of the meaning and mystery of death and dying from several religious, philosophical and scientific perspectives. The course also considers both spiritual practices and ethical issues connected to death and dying.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order

    RELG 344 - Religion and the Political Order

    4.00 credit hours

    An examination of primary texts from the history of religious political philosophy with an eye to their relevance for understanding current events and challenges at the intersection of religion and politics. Emphasis is on Jewish, Christian and Muslim sources.

    Schedule Of Classes

Philosophy Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

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
  • Maurer School of Law: Indiana University
  • John Marshall Law School

Careers

Recent graduates in philosophy work in:

  • Law
  • Philosophy instruction
  • Technical writing
  • Executive-level administration and management
  • Editing and publishing
  • Public relations and journalism
  • Philosophical counseling

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