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UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
The roots of the word "philosophy" (philo (love of) sophia (wisdom)) reflect the essence of the discipline. Philosophy is the
activity of examining the world, especially human practices and
institutions, in an effort to gain understanding or wisdom. Any field or
activity, including philosophy itself, is subject to such an examination,
which typically involves careful scrutiny of the basic concepts and
assumptions of the practices or institutions. The examination sometimes
results in the conclusion that the grounds of the activity are unjustified.
Throughout history philosophy has played a major role in bringing about
changes in thought that have enabled modern science, religious toleration,
and social and political reform. Even when the examination produces the
conclusion that the grounds of a practice are justified, it provides an
advance in understanding what the world is like and what we human beings
are doing in it. So one way to respond to the question, "Can you
afford the luxury to study philosophy?" is with another question,
"Can you afford not to?" Periods of history in which
philosophical inquiry was banned or restricted have proven to be truly dark
ages. Even a single course in philosophy can open one's eyes and one's
mind to the value of examining the grounds of what we take for granted.
Benefits of Studying Philosophy
The most widely accepted current day methods of doing philosophy involve
the careful and precise analysis of language. This requires both the
application of logic for the construction, analysis and evaluation of
arguments, and detailed awareness of and sensitivity to the historical and
cultural setting for the language under scrutiny. Thus, in the course of
examining such intrinsically interesting and important questions as
"What are the grounds of right and wrong?", "Does God
exist?", "What is it possible to know?", one will at the
same time be developing the skills to analyze carefully difficult and
complicated problems and to express oneself clearly and precisely in
writing and in speech. Moreover, philosophy typically employs the method
of dialectic (interactive discussion). In using this method one will learn
how to discuss difficult and sometimes controversial issues in an
atmosphere of intellectual openness and tolerance, where the emphasis is on
learning and justification rather than slogans and persuasion. Finally,
because of the necessary historical and cultural sensitivity required to
appreciate philosophical arguments, one acquires an awareness of
alternative ways of viewing and valuing the world and human activities.
Philosophy Honor Society, Phi Sigma Tau
The SC Delta chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the national honor society for
philosophy, was installed at USC in April 2005. Phi Sigma Tau was founded
in the 1940s to recognize and encourage excellence in the study of
philosophy. Phi Sigma Tau publishes a journal, Dialogue, containing
student essays in all areas of contemporary philosophical research and also
produces a newsletter three times per year containing news of local chapter
activities. USC's chapter is the 140th in the nation.
Career Opportunities for Philosophy Majors or Minors
It is hard to think of a career or profession that does not reward the
skills that one learns in philosophy: the ability to think and write
clearly and to work out successful resolutions of problems in committees or
groups. Career options that are directly related to philosophy include:
administrator, advertising executive, bank officer, computer systems
analyst, congressional staff member, consumer protection agent, development
manager, diplomat, editor, educational tester, insurance executive,
intelligence research specialist, investment broker, grant developer,
management analyst, policy and planning consultant, professor, public
information specialist, technical writer, and many others... A major or
minor in philosophy is widely regarded as excellent preparation for law,
medical, or divinity school.
Also see:
USC Career Center /
The College Career Development Program /
Philosophy Career Sites
Advisement in Philosophy
The Department of Philosophy is committed to providing high quality
advising. Each student majoring in philosophy is assigned a faculty
advisor who works with the student to make certain that academic programs
are completed in a timely manner and to assist the student in making
informed choices about life after graduation. However, the ultimate
responsibility lies with students to keep track of their courses and to
make sure that their programs satisfy departmental and college graduation
requirements. Students are also responsible for making an advisement
appointment in the Fall (usually the advisement period begins late October
or early November) for Spring term course selection and in the Spring
(usually the advisement period begins late March) for Fall term course
selection.
Links to Other Information
Also see the Financial
Aid and Scholarships section of the
Undergraduate Bulletin.
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