Every aspect of our society has been influenced by philosophy. As a discipline, philosophy offers a diverse range of skills from analytical thinking to persuasive argument. Whether you aspire to be a politician or a writer, its universal application makes it an ideal background for almost any career.
Program Overview
Examine every aspect of modern society from art to government.
In the program, you’ll explore the history of philosophy, examine diverse worldviews and analyze the core assumptions underlying contemporary society. Philosophy as a discipline will allow you to see the world from varied perspectives and provide practical, rational approaches to evaluate ideas. The Philosophy minor will deepen your educational experience by providing the intellectual skills needed to understand and appreciate relationships among other fields of study. Studying philosophy will train your brain to be versatile, which will prepare you for a successful career in a variety of occupations and fields.
Teaching tomorrow’s leaders
Western’s Philosophy program examines the complex, unexamined assumptions underlying contemporary society.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
A minimum of 18 credits is required, including the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 101 | Introduction to Philosophy (GT-AH3) | 3 |
| PHIL 335 | Advanced Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 355 | Philosophy of Science and Epistemology | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
PHIL 315 | Eastern Philosophy | |
PHIL 325 | Women and Gender in Philosophy | |
PHIL 345 | Philosophy of Religion | |
PHIL 375 | Postcolonial Philosophy | |
PHIL 401 | Reality and Representation | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
ART 424 | Modern Art History, Aesthetics, Theory, and Criticism | |
ECON 350 | History of Economic Thought | |
ENG 371 | Literary Theory and Criticism | |
ENVS 410 | Environmental Ethics | |
PHIL 100 | Critical Thinking | |
PHIL 135 | Introduction to Ethics | |
PHIL 200 | Symbolic Logic | |
POLS 309 | Political Theory I- Ancient to Early Modern | |
POLS 310 | Political Theory II-Modern and Contemporary | |
SOC 380 | Social Class, Status, and Power | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Spotlight
Hannah White
Student
“Being so involved in so many different things you get to know all kinds of people. You get to make connections with people that just aren’t at Western.”
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Make your education a life changing experience.
A college education is so much more than just taking classes. Expand your community and network, while gaining hands-on experience in your field.
- Bistro Philosophy: A monthly gathering of philosophy students and faculty at a local bistro to discuss concepts taught in classes, then brainstorming and expanding upon them creatively to address “burning questions” that arise through the semester.
- Philosophy Intersections: A series of discussions and lectures that highlights work among disciplines campus-wide, where students and faculty look at how their fields intersect and interact with Philosophy.
A deeper understanding
The Philosophy minor deepens the value of a liberal arts education itself by providing the intellectual skills needed to understand and appreciate relationships among other fields of study.
News & Research
Department Information
Communication Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department
Department Chairperson
Tamara Toomey, M.S.Chair – Communication Arts, Languages and Literature and Lecturer in English
Administrative Assistant
Cindy PetitoAdministrative Assistant III
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 216
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
