Undergraduate

Philosophy

At Assumption College, students are introduced to philosophical thinking in dialogue with the primary works of the great philosophical authors. In the best cases, philosophy becomes a habit of thinking and, ultimately, a way of life.

Philosophy Program

Program Tracks Available

Major, Minor

Admission Deadline

Early Decision: November 1
Early Action: November 1
Early Action II: December 15
Regular Decision: February 15

Degrees Offered

B.A.

Department

Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies

Program Overview

Students studying Philosophy at Assumption will ask fundamental questions of human existence with an eye toward discerning the truth. Guided by the College's commitment to embody the complementarity of faith and reason and its broader mission, the Philosophy Department of Assumption College is founded on the ongoing engagement of its faculty and students with the Catholic intellectual tradition. Philosophy students will be on a quest for truths and values fundamental to all areas of inquiry.

Students who major in philosophy examine the history of philosophy by reading and analyzing primary texts in the areas of ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary thought. Philosophy majors investigate fundamental questions in various domains of inquiry, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and anthropology. In so doing, they cultivate their capacity to read primary sources and secondary literature with understanding, to write essays marked by logical rigor and depth of insight, and to engage fellow students and faculty in thoughtful and serious conversation. Philosophy students learn to engage respectfully and constructively in philosophical conversation while constructing and assessing arguments and evaluating their formal structures.

Philosophy students also have the option to complete their B.A./MBA in an accelerated MBA program.

Program Contact

Daniel Maher, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Philosophy

508-767-7569 dmaher@assumption.edu Founders Hall - Room 326

An Ideal Place to Learn

100%

All classes taught by professors, none by teaching assistants

Students from 29 states and 21 countries

11:1

Student/Faculty ratio

Jump To

Program Curriculum

Students develop competency in the history of philosophy through the close study of primary texts in the ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary periods. Students cultivate their capacity to read primary sources and secondary literature with understanding, to write essays marked by logical rigor and depth of insight, and to engage fellow students and faculty in thoughtful and serious conversation. The major requires 11 courses, giving students the freedom to combine their study with a second major.

PHI 100 Socrates and the Search for Truth

One Intermediate Course from the Following

PHI 151 Ethics and the Good Life
PHI 152 The Human Difference
PHI 153 The Book of Nature
PHI 154 God and the Philosophers
PHI 340 Metaphysics
Four Courses in History of Philosophy (one course from each era)

PHI 350-354 Ancient Philosophy
PHI 355-359 Medieval Philosophy
PHI 360-369 Modern Philosophy
PHI 370-389 Contemporary Philosophy
Two PHI Courses (200 or higher)

PHI 350-354 Ancient Philosophy
PHI 355-359 Medieval Philosophy
PHI 360-369 Modern Philosophy
PHI 370-389 Contemporary Philosophy
Course Descriptions
- Academic Catalog & Advising Guide
- Major in Philosophy Course Descriptions
Today’s businesses and today’s world need citizens who can think with insight, communicate clearly, and exercise good judgment both in and out of the workplace. This version of the Major in Philosophy includes an emphasis on ethics, business, and economic life, and it can readily be combined with a second major, such as Political Science or Economics. The first four courses listed below help prepare students to understand business activities in their ethical and civic context. The other eight courses are included to broaden and deepen students’ understanding of philosophical reasoning as a formative influence in human life, one important part of which is economic activity. Students who complete this major with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 are guaranteed acceptance into Assumption College’s Accelerated MBA Program (Management Track) for liberal arts majors.

Required Courses

PHI 100 Socrates and the Search for Truth
PHI 151 Ethics and the Good Life
PHI 260 Business Ethics
PHI 290 Property and Civic Life
Three Courses in the History of Philosophy (each from a different era)

PHI 350-354 Ancient Philosophy
PHI 355-359 Medieval Philosophy
PHI 360-369 Modern Philosophy
PHI 370-389 Contemporary Philosophy
Three PHI Courses (at least one numbered 200 or higher)

MGT 100 Management and Organizational Behavior
ACC 125 Principles of Accounting I
Course Descriptions
- Academic Catalog & Advising Guide
- Major in Philosophy, Business Track Course Descriptions
The minor in philosophy is designed to strengthen any major, broaden the student’s background, and enable the student to see his/her subject in perspective.

PHI 100 Socrates and the Search for Truth

One Intermediate Course from the Following List

PHI 151 Ethics and the Good Life
PHI 152 The Human Difference
PHI 153 The Book of Nature
PHI 154 God and the Philosophers
Two Courses in the History of Philosophy (each from a different era)

PHI 350-354 Ancient Philosophy
PHI 355-359 Medieval Philosophy
PHI 360-369 Modern Philosophy
PHI 370-389 Contemporary Philosophy
Two Additional PHI Courses

Course Descriptions
- Academic Catalog & Advising Guide
- Minor in Philosophy Course Descriptions
Following completion of the BA, students will complete the 12– 14-month Accelerated MBA. For specific information about the Accelerated MBA Program (Management Track), students should consult Prof. Robin Frkal, Director of the MBA Program (ra.frkal@assumption.edu).

During the summer prior to their MBA year, students take the Foundations courses, consisting of four courses designed to prepare liberal arts majors for graduate-level business courses. Undergraduate students interested in an MBA should seriously consider taking the following courses as undergraduates, since earning a B- or better in these courses waives MBA requirements otherwise fulfilled by the Foundations courses: MKT 101 Principles of Marketing (equivalent: MBA 562) ACC 126 Principles of Accounting II (equivalent: MBA 565) MGT 230 Decision Analytics for Managers (equivalent: MBA564) ECO 325 Corporate Finance (equivalent: MBA 553) ECO 110, 111 Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (equivalent: MBA 554) 217 PHI 260 Business Ethics fulfills the MBA requirement for MBA 600 Business Ethics, thus enabling students to substitute an elective in the MBA segment of the program. Each of the following undergraduate courses is also strongly recommended: CSC 113 Introduction to Computer Science (OR CSC 117 Introduction to Programming) ENG 304 Business and Technical Writing (OR ENG 201 Writing Workshop: Argument and Persuasion; OR ENG 308 Writing and Editing; OR ENG 204 Effective Business Writing) MAT 117 Calculus POL 322 Political Economy SPA 125, 126 Business Spanish I, II THE 346 The Social Teachings of the Church

Faculty Profile

Daniel Maher, Ph.D. Department Chair, Peace and Conflict Studies Associate Professor of Philosophy

Patrick Corrigan, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Philosophy

Christian Gobel, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Philosophy

Molly Brigid McGrath, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Philosophy Director of the Honors Program

Nalin Ranasinghe, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy

Veronica Roberts Ogle, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Samuel Stoner, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Anthony Traylor, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Philosophy

Experiential Learning

Learn the Skills Employers Seek

Faculty/Student Research

The Assumption curriculum encourages scholarly and real-world experience. With hands-on research conducted alongside faculty mentors, students gain a depth of knowledge and skills that lead to professional success and personal fulfillment.

Study Abroad

At Assumption College, the world is your classroom. Students can study and explore abroad in over 50 places from Vienna to England, South Africa, and even our own campus in historic, yet modern, Rome, Italy. Assumption’s study abroad program offers culture, history, and a living classroom for all.

Internships

Assumption starts planning for your future the day you arrive on campus. Our Career Development and Internship Center helps students secure exciting and fulfilling internships where you’ll apply knowledge obtained in the classroom in a professional setting, preparing for a future career or additional study. Assumption connects students to internship opportunities in corporations, government agencies, research hospitals, non-profit organizations, and more.

Assumption's Rome Campus

At Assumption's campus in Rome, Italy, the city and the country become your classroom through daily and weekend-long excursions throughout "the eternal city" and the Italian countryside. This unique study abroad experience will enrich your academic and cultural pursuits as you walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators then enjoy delectable Italian cuisine or perhaps a cappuccino after class in a local cafe. (Did you know that your financial aid follows you to Rome?)

Explore the Rome Campus

Career Paths

Brigham Young University

Great Hearts Academies

Lahey Clinic

Lemuel Shattuck Hospital

Nested Bean

Putnam Investments

State Street Corporation

University of Massachusetts Medical School

The United States Navy

First-rate Academics in a Catholic College Setting

Assumption College strives to form graduates known for critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship and compassionate service. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, the College pursues these ambitious goals through a curriculum grounded in the liberal arts that prepares students for professionally and personally rewarding lives of meaning.

Our Mission

Assumption is dedicated to providing a clear understanding of what your education will cost

We’ll help cut through the complexity of financing your education, ensuring you understand what you need, how to apply for aid, and what’s expected of you. You will be assigned a personal financial aid advisor who will guide you through the process and answer all of your financial aid-related questions.

Learn about financial aid

Apply

Visit Assumption

PHI 151	Ethics and the Good Life
PHI 152	The Human Difference
PHI 153	The Book of Nature
PHI 154	God and the Philosophers
PHI 340	Metaphysics

PHI 350-354	Ancient Philosophy
PHI 355-359	Medieval Philosophy
PHI 360-369	Modern Philosophy
PHI 370-389	Contemporary Philosophy

PHI 100	Socrates and the Search for Truth
PHI 151	Ethics and the Good Life
PHI 260	Business Ethics
PHI 290	Property and Civic Life

MGT 100	Management and Organizational Behavior
ACC 125	Principles of Accounting I