Majors & Minors

B.A. in Philosophy
Minor in Philosophy
Minor in Religious Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
The Philosophy program at Green Mountain College develops students’ critical thinking skills while exploring vital problems of human existence affecting how we understand ourselves and nature, how we act in relation to others, and what has significance for our lives. Green Mountain’s philosophy program is distinctive in its focus on applied philosophy, that is, on issues related to how we should live, how we should govern ourselves, and how we should come to understand the world. It emphasizes connections between basic philosophical questions and the relation of humans to their cultural and natural environments. In this way, students learn to think critically about beliefs, values, and prejudices. It also provides students with a broad background in the history of philosophy and a solid understanding of major areas in contemporary philosophy. In addition to standard catalog offerings, the curriculum includes frequent seminars on current issues, such as Peace, War, and Justice; Education for a Sustainable Society; and Liberty, Fraternity, Equality: Our Social-Political Culture War.

The major is excellent training for careers, including law, government service, and business. Philosophy is consistently ranked as a top major for performance on the GRE, LSAT, and GMAT exams. Green Mountain Philosophy majors are also regularly accepted into strong graduate programs in Philosophy. The communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills that students develop are in high demand. Beyond preparation for good careers, the major attempts to enhance intellectual curiosity and to encourage a careful, balanced approach to life decisions.

Green Mountain students tend to be enthusiastic about opportunities to reflect on their values and commitments. Central to Green Mountain’s identity as an environmental liberal arts college is a realization that a liberal arts education must evolve to meet the challenges of our own situation. Philosophy, through its role of interpreting, evaluating, criticizing, and redirecting our culture, is a vital discipline for liberal education.

Goals for Philosophy majors

• Graduates will have strong analytical, critical thinking, reading, and writing skills at a level appropriate for professions or graduate school.
• Graduates will demonstrate critical comprehension of alternative cultural perspectives and frameworks, and they will have the reflective and communication skills to listen and respond to diverse perspectives.
• Graduates will have reflected on multiple perspectives regarding the relationship between humans and nonhuman nature.
• Graduates will have a general literacy in the history of philosophy and in major areas in twentieth and twenty-first century philosophy.
• Graduates will have an expanded base of knowledge of and care for ethical concerns and an active interest in potential responses to moral problems in academic, political, professional, and everyday local and global contexts.

Download degree requirements (PDF format).

Philosophy Minor
A Philosophy minor provides students with a background in the ethical, conceptual, metaphysical and historical dimensions of central issues about how we should live and how we should think about the world. It also enhances students’ critical thinking skills.
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Religious Studies Minor
In the changing and global nature of the contemporary world, a knowledge of world religions, fluency in religious discourse, and a critical understanding of the foundations and components of faith commitments is essential to understanding human culture, politics, and values. A student minoring in religious studies has the opportunity to explore the philosophy and history of religion, contemporary debates, mythology, and how religious beliefs fit into individual lives and communities.

While students in this minor can choose from the following list of regularly offered courses, they may also request that independent studies and courses in other programs with significant religious studies content be approved by the Religious Studies Program Director.
Download degree requirements (PDF format).