Philosophy

That Philosophy is basic to all other studies is an often heard but little understood statement. Not until the undergraduate has had a course or two in Philosophy does he really see how he is studying the "inside" of the ideas that are assumed or merely glossed over in other departments.

While the Government student studies the effects that a particular idea has upon the conduct of nations, and the literature student reads of reactions of individuals to an idea, the philosophy student of ethics studies the idea itself and speculates on its ramifications. In a similar manner the student taking a phil course in epistemology ponders on the assumptions that underlie the work of the physical scientist.

The concentration requirements in Philosophy are well designed to enable the student to take advantage of this "basic" nature of Philosophy. A minimum of only four full courses are required for honors and non-honor's men, leaving them plenty of room to study the "exterior" of the ideas under other departments. Combinations of Philosophy with other subjects such as History, Government, English, and Mathematics are also available, and generally quite satisfactory.

Schedule is Amorphous

Disadvantages of concentration in Philosophy are an extremely amorphous course schedule and some lack of integration on the undergraduate level.

The selection of middle-group courses ("for undergraduates and graduates") varies suddenly from year to year, sometimes leaving the concentrator with a hole where he had been planning an important course, and other times presenting him with a surplus of specially desirable courses in the same term. Some courses are given only once every two or three years, so long range planning is desirable, if not too effective.

Tutorial is available for dean's list honor candidates. It is individual work with members of the department and is highly rewarding. Those who don't receive tutorial are somewhat neglected, however. If they aren't careful to take the right courses and do extra reading on their own, they are liable not to be well prepared for the General Examinations that every concentrator must take in his last year.

Because it deals with the "interior" of man's ideas, Philosophy tends to be harder than most other fields. But though his grades may not be so good for the work he puts in, the Phil. concentrator who picks his courses carefully and does not bury himself in this field can get the best education, for it is a basic education.