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Philosophy

Welcome to the Department of Philosophy at St. John's University. We feel that the study of Philosophy is central to a strong liberal arts and sciences education and often find it disturbing that the subject is relegated to a minor role in the programs of many universities. If you are interested in a strong liberal arts and sciences education with Philosophy as a key ingredient, consider coming to St. John's. We assure an exciting intellectual experience.

The Department offers programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as five minor programs of study. 

Department Contact

Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Chair
St. John Hall, Room B-28 
718-990-6379
[email protected]

Philosophy Minors

The Department of Philosophy offers the following minors to undergraduate students who wish to supplement their major fields of study with additional background in logic and epistemology. Students with majors in Theology, Government and Politics, English, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Rhetoric and Public Address, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies may be especially interested in one of the following minors. The minors in Philosophy are also excellent preparation for students planning to attend law school.

The 18-credit Philosophy minor requires completion of the following courses:

  • PHI 1000C Philosophy of the Human Person
  • PHI 2200C Ethics
  • PHI 3000C Metaphysics

Students in the minor must also choose three electives from among the following:

  • PHI 3320 Science and Religion: A Philosophical Analysis
  • PHI 3330 Introduction to Feminist Philosophy
  • PHI 3400 Introduction to Logic
  • PHI 3420 Informal Logic
  • PHI 3500 History of Ancient Philosophy
  • PHI 3510 History of Medieval Philosophy
  • PHI 3520 History of Modern Philosophy
  • PHI 3530 History of Contemporary Philosophy
  • PHI 3540 American Philosophy
  • PHI 3550 Existentialism
  • PHI 3570 Personalism
  • PHI 3600 Problem of God
  • PHI 3610 Philosophy of Religion
  • PHI 3630 Epistemology
  • PHI 3640 Aesthetics
  • PHI 3650 Philosophy of Law
  • PHI 3660 Political Philosophy
  • PHI 3670 Modernity in Crisis
  • PHI 3680 Philosophical Issues Concerning Religion in the State
  • PHI 3700 Contemporary Moral Problems
  • PHI 3720 Environmental Ethics
  • PHI 3740 Social Justice
  • PHI 3800 Philosophy of Science
  • PHI 3810 Philosophy of Physical Sciences
  • PHI 3820 Philosophical Issues in Biology
  • PHI 3900 Philosophy of Literature: Meaning, Mystery, and Metaphysics in the Catholic Novel
  • PHI 3910 Philosophy of Language
  • PHI 3920 Philosophy and Film

The 18-credit Philosophy of Law minor requires completion of the following courses:

  • PHI 1000C Philosophy of the Human Person
  • PHI 2200C Ethics
  • PHI 3000C Metaphysics
  • PHI 3400 Introduction to Logic
  • PHI 3650 Philosophy of Law

Students in the minor must also choose two of the following electives:

  • PHI 3420 Informal Logic
  • PHI 3540 American Philosophy
  • PHI 3660 Political Philosophy
  • PHI 3680 Philosophical Issues Concerning Religion in the State
  • PHI 3740 Social Justice
  • CLS 2600 Roman Law and Society

The 18-credit Philosophy of Science minor requires completion of the following courses:

  • PHI 1000C Philosophy of the Human Person
  • PHI 2200C Ethics
  • PHI 3000C Metaphysics
  • PHI 3800 Philosophy of Science

Students in the minor must also choose two of the following electives:

  • PHI 3320 Science and Religion: A Philosophical Analysis
  • PHI 3810 Philosophy of Physical Sciences
  • PHI 3820 Philosophical Issues in Biology
  • PHI 3720 Environmental Ethics