Philosophy

Philosophy is integral to a person’s education, and certainly integral to the mission of a liberal arts college like Ohio Wesleyan University.

About the Major

Philosophy majors develop important skills through detailed textual analysis and lively intellectual debates that prepare them for careers in business, law, medicine, teaching, and the ministry. A low student-faculty ratio provides for a variety of carefully supervised individual research projects.

You’ll explore theories of idealism, materialism, utilitarianism, pragmatism, and existentialism, and you’ll study the world’s great philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Hegel, Mill, Nietzsche, Arendt, and Beauvoir.

You will learn to analyze, evaluate, and construct arguments in defense of particular views. There also is considerable attention paid to writing, with the aim of producing better, more precise, and persuasive writers.

Undergraduate Research

Every philosophy major works with a faculty mentor to complete a senior research project. In the form of an evolving research paper, students present their work to the class, revise it in light of collective critique, and build the paper into a finished project.

Research & Independent Study

Travel Learning

From your first year on campus, you can get off campus—with Travel-Learning Courses. Journey to a distant land and immerse yourself in another culture. Learn how classroom theory truly connects with real-world experience.

Travel Learning Courses

Modernity & Colonialism

Professor Stone-Mediatore’s “Modernity & Colonialism” class traveled to Chiapas, Mexico, where they lived in a Zapatista community, learned about indigenous philosophies, and participated in a mural-painting project with internationally known muralist/community-activist, Gustavo Gutierrez.

Inspired Teaching

OWU faculty are outstanding scholars and researchers—and passionate teachers. They will push you, challenge you, inspire you, and work with you on your own research and creative projects.

They can even pack a 3-minute lecture with ideas, insight, and imagination. Check out our unique I³ lectures.

I³ Lectures

Highlights

Nationally Known Scholars

OWU Philosophy Professor, Dr. Shari Stone-Mediatore, guest lectured at the University of California, Berkeley, on creative approaches to teaching about diversity.

Senior Research

Present your senior research project to the campus community.

Honor Society

Participate in the Phi Sigma Tau national philosophy honor society.

Environmental Ethics

Visit local farms and environmental projects in the Environmental Ethics class.

Graduate Outcomes

Jessica Monroe '09

Jessica earned her JD from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and is now an attorney at a law firm in Cleveland, advocating for and advising unions on the forefront of the fight for economic justice.