Philosophy

Overview

The Thesis Plan at Philosophy from San José State University is particularly appropriate for students who wish to pursue a formal written project under close faculty supervision in preparation for later dissertation work at a Ph.D. granting institution.

The Reading Intensive plan is particularly appropriate for students who are pursuing the Philosophy MA program from San José State University for personal enrichment. This plan is also favored by those who wish to focus on writing a publishable paper or a writing sample for their application to a Ph.D. program. 

The Applied Philosophy Project plan fits well with the concept of San Jose State as a metropolitan university. It connects philosophy in a systematic manner to professional life in Silicon Valley. Students who follow this plan frequently come from the community to reflect, in a sustained and rigorous way, on the ethical, social, epistemological, or metaphysical aspects human endeavor, whether in their professional, civic, or personal lives. Then, they return to the community with an enriched perspective, a firm commitment to philosophy, and stronger ties to San Jose State.

Graduates with Philosophy from San José State University will:

• Be able to identify, understand and critically discuss, both orally and in a sustained major written essay, and in a written exam taken without the benefit of notes, major figures and ideas in various historical periods and in various traditions from around the world. Identify and discuss, both orally and in a sustained major written essay, core areas of Philosophy.

• Have high level skills in communication, critical inquiry and the ability to collect and evaluate information successfully, and to use all of these skills in their own original research.

• Have an understanding of the demands of responsible citizenship and an understanding of how to make and defend ethical choices.

• Understand the ways in which culture, race, ethnicity, gender, economic class, sexual orientation, and national membership influence perceptions about reality, knowledge and value.

• Be able to teach and assess all these skills and competencies at the lower division undergraduate level.