Chair, Philosophy Department
Ph.D., Philosophy, DePaul University
Baldwin Wallace University has discontinued the philosophy major and is no longer accepting applications as of spring 2024. BW will continue to offer a minor and elective courses in philosophy. View majors.
Undergraduate Admission
(440) 826-2222, admission@bw.edu
OVERVIEW
Intellectually stimulating. Intrinsically rewarding. Philosophy is a dynamic major that builds competencies in critical thinking, argumentation and communication. Its real-world focus fosters innovative thinking and leadership attributes applicable to careers in law, business, education, journalism, medicine and public service.
Coursework is rigorous, theoretical and practical. You'll study classic philosophers, engage in Socratic dialog and probe contemporary issues. You'll explore your own values, opinions and presuppositions as you delve into complex topics.
Personal attention, faculty collaboration and interdisciplinary opportunities are at the forefront of the major. You'll supplement classroom studies with enriching experiential learning opportunities, including independent study projects, internships and study abroad.
Philosophy offers outstanding preparation for graduate and professional school as well as workplace opportunities. It teaches you to address topics and questions in a critical, systematic way. It fosters ethical decision-making and builds skills in reasoning, problem-solving and oral and written communication.
Gain an edge for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, GRE
Because it builds strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, Philosophy offers excellent preparation for the entrance exams required for law, medicine, business, computer science and engineering schools as well as other disciplines. Students interested in these career areas can benefit from majoring or minoring in Philosophy.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Managers/administrators
- Social policy/government
- Sales executives
- Human resource managers
- Journalists/writers
- Legal professionals
CURRICULUM
Offered as a major and minor, philosophy enables you to have a customized approach to your studies. In conjunction with a faculty advisor, you'll create a personalized plan for coursework and experiential learning that addresses your professional interests and career goals.
An outstanding companion field of study, philosophy supports and enhances the disciplines of psychology, English, communications, theatre, economics, business and computer science. Because it has a moderate number of course requirements, it is often chosen as a second major or minor.
The philosophy major prepares students to:
- Demonstrate competence in inquiry and analysis (critical thinking)
- Demonstrate competence in ethical reasoning and action
- Demonstrate competence in written communication
- Demonstrate facility in engagement with big questions/knowledge of history of philosophy
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Student success is a top priority. Small class sizes, individual attention and faculty mentoring are at the core of BW's program.
Experiential learning bridges classroom study with real-world opportunities. You can enhance your studies through internships, co-curricular activities and other learning opportunities.
On campus, philosophy students are regularly recognized for their achievements.
Phi Sigma Tau is the International Honor Society in Philosophy. It provides a forum where interested and competent students can communicate and exchange ideas with faculty and students of similar interest at BW and throughout the world.
At the annual Honors Ceremony in the spring, recognitions include the Delo C. Grover Scholarship and Dr. Laura Anders Canis Philosophy Scholarship.
Philosophy students are also eligible for the Georgianna & Alfred B. Bonds, Jr. Scholarship and Gibler Scholarship (for students planning to pursue a career in ministry, medicine or law).
Experiential learning bridges classroom study with real-world opportunities. You can enhance your studies through internships, co-curricular activities and other learning opportunities that include:
STUDENT CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
Philosophy Club-Le Café Philosophique
Have you ever thought about what it really means to be "connected"? Or perhaps you've craved an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion about universal topics like life and death, love and hate, peace and war, joy and sadness? BW's Café Philosophique, or Café-Philo for short, encourages students to gather and explore myriad subjects in a respectful dialogue format where every individual is heard and can speak freely.
ALUMNI SUCCESS
Paul
Krause
'15
is
pursuing
an
M.A.
in
theology
and
political
theology
at
Yale
University
Divinity
School.
As
an
undergraduate
at
BW,
the
Parma,
Ohio,
native
conducted
research
in
China,
presented
at
the
2014
ASIANetwork
academic
conference
in
Chicago
and
had
two
papers
published
in
academic
journals.
Caitlin
Lewins
'10
is
an
actor,
musician,
writer
and
director
based
in
Cleveland.
She
was
recently
awarded
a
Nord
Family
Foundation
Playwright
Fellowship
with
Cleveland
Public
Theatre.
This
prestigious
fellowship
supports
emerging
playwrights
as
they
develop
new
works.
Caitlin
is
from
Cleveland.
FACULTY
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Vienna
Full-Time Faculty
Kelly
Coble
Chair,
Philosophy
Department
Professor
Ph.D.,
DePaul
University
James
Garrison
Assistant
Professor
University
of
Vienna
Adjunct Faculty
Timothy
Harasimchuk
Lecturer
M.A.,
Cleveland
State
University