Department of Philosophy
Learning Compact
The compact is a list of core learning expectations. The expectations are in the table below. The types of items are listed to the right. The last three items in the table are associated with expectations in Liberal Studies. The assessment used to measure the expectations are listed separately in another table below.
| Philosophy |
| |
| Purpose of the Program: |
| The mission of the department with respect to the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy is to provide a solid education to undergraduates majoring in Philosophy that will prepare them for their chosen postgraduate pursuits. Some go on to pursue a higher degree in Philosophy; some go to law school. We aim to provide them with analytical skills as well as a thorough background in the history of Philosophy and the core areas of the discipline (esp. logic, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, Philosophy of science). |
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| Student Learning Outcomes |
The Outcome Involves These Skills: |
| Upon completion of the Bachelors in Philosophy: |
Content |
Critical Thinking |
Communication |
| Ability to understand Plato and his Predecessors — The student will be able to summarize the views of Plato and his Predecessors |
X |
|
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| Ability to understand Aristotle & the Medievals — The student will be able to summarize the views of the philosophers from Aristotle to Augustine |
X |
|
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| Ability to understand the Modern Philosophers — The student will be able to summarize the views of the Modern Philosophers |
X |
|
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| Ability to understand normative ethics — The student will be able to summarize three of the main positions in normative ethics |
X |
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| Ability to assess arguments in sentential logic — The student will be able to appraise arguments in sentential logic |
|
X |
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| Ability to construct proofs in sentential logic — The student will be able to construct proofs in sentential logic |
|
X |
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| Ability to assess arguments in predicate logic — The student will be able to appraise arguments in predicate logic |
|
X |
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| Present Ideas and/or Information — The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to formulate a clear original message that presents ideas or shares information. |
|
|
X |
| Effective Use of Both Vocal and Physical Delivery — The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to formulate a clear original message that makes effective use of both vocal and physical delivery. |
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|
X |
| Adaptation to Audience — The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to formulate a clear original message that has been adapted to the particular audience. |
|
|
X |
| Student Performance on the Outcomes will be Assessed Directly Using: |
| Behavioral Observation |
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| Capstone Course Evaluation |
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| Class Performance or Presentation |
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| Clinical Evaluation |
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| Course Embedded Assignment (Often in tandem with exam question bank) |
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| Course Report |
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| Department Assessment |
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| Departmental Exam/Comprehensive Exam/Preliminary Exam |
X |
| Faculty Committee Evaluation of Dissertation, Thesis or Treatise |
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| Faculty Designed Comprehensive or Capstone Examination and Assignment |
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| Instructor Constructed Exam |
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| Internship Evaluation of Specific Activity |
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| Judged Exhibition |
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| Judged Performance |
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| National or State Standardized Exam |
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| Performance on Licensing or other External Examination |
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| Portfolio of Student Work |
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| Pre-Test/Post-Test Evaluation |
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| Problem-Solving Exercise |
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| Professional Judged Performance or Demonstration of Ability in Context |
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| Project Evaluation |
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| Public Performance or Presentation (Juried) |
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| Simulation |
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| Videotaped or Audio-taped Performance |
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| Written Report or Essay |
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