Program Overview
Credits: 60
Philosophy is the cornerstone of a liberal arts education.
It asks and searches for answers to some of the deepest, most personal questions that we all as human beings have had, such as:
- Is there a God and, if so, why does evil exist?
- Do we really have free will in our actions?
- What is the ethical thing to do?
- How do I know for sure I’m not living in a dream? How can I know anything?
- Is “artificial intelligence” possible?
- What are the metaphysical building blocks of the world?
- What counts as a logical, rational answer?
- What is the meaning of life?
Philosophy judges answers to these questions based on whether they can be rationally defended. Philosophy thus focuses almost entirely on assessing reasons, which is the keystone for critical thinking. Students who have had a firm grounding in philosophy are ready to enter the world as rational, freethinking, and critically reflective citizens and human beings.
What You'll Study
All undergraduates at Niagara are required to take two philosophy classes. “Reason and Responsibility” introduces students to philosophical methodology by showing why many great minds have taken opposite sides of difficult, fundamental questions—questions such as whether we have free will, or whether there is an all-good, all-powerful deity. The course also provides a basis for reasoning about value: what makes a good life? What are principled ways to settle ethical dilemmas?
Students then choose an upper-level philosophy class from a wide array of more specific topics. Students might decide to
- further develop reflection on values and ethics in courses such as Bioethics and the Ethics of Race & Gender
- gain a further sense of the Western philosophical heritage in courses like Ancient Philosophy and Modern Philosophy
- pursue more foundational questions about the nature of our world in courses like Philosophy of Religion and Metaphysics
- study the nature of reasoning itself in courses like Logic or Epistemology
Philosophy majors will take classes from each of these categories.
Research
Philosophy majors conduct independent studies with philosophy faculty on a research topic of their choosing, culminating in a capstone thesis paper or project.
Interdisciplinary opportunities
For any field of study there is always a philosophy “of” that field, since every other field starts with assumptions that are open to question. Double majors can demonstrate a deep grasp of the foundations of their other major, and might write their senior projects on a theoretical aspect of their discipline.
Expert Faculty
The philosophy faculty at Niagara University have specialized expertise in a vast array of topics from AI and math, through bioengineering, entrepeneuralism, and the Italian Enlightenment, to race relations and Zen Buddhism.
Explore This Minor!
View Coursework
Pursuing a minor can enhance your academic experience and broaden your expertise beyond your major field of study. The minor coursework is designed to provide foundational knowledge and specialized skills to diversity your academic credentials and future opportunities. Explore coursework for a minor in this program!
Prepare to Soar
Academic, Experiential, and Career Pathways
Careers
- Cultural Affairs Officer
- Lawyer/Paralegal
- Ministry
- Policy analysis and government work
- Advocacy and lobbying
- Research
- Teaching (with additional certification)
- Corporate training
- Curriculum development
- Educational administration
- Social work and counseling (with additional training)
- Journalism and media
- Library and information science
- Healthcare administration
Honor Society
Ready to Apply?
Filling out an application is easy!
NU offers rolling admissions, which means that you can apply at any time for the upcoming semester. Applications are reviewed as they come in, and students are typically notified of an admission decision in 3-4 weeks. What’s stopping you?
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