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Old Main, Room 138
(607) 753-2727
E-mail: kathy.russell@cortland.edu
www.cortland.edu/philosophy/

School

Arts and Sciences

Faculty

Kathryn Russell (Chair), Lawrence Ashley, Andrew Fitz-Gibbon, Mechthild Nagel

Adjunct Faculty

For a listing of adjunct faculty see the Faculty and Administration section.

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Arts in Social Philosophy

Majors Offered

Social Philosophy

Minors Offered

Social Philosophy

Description

Philosophy is essentially an activity, rather than a fixed set of teachings. Philosophy cultivates the capacities and appetite for self-expression and reflection, for debate and exchange of ideas, and for reflecting on and puzzling over problems of living, being human and being part of a community. Philosophy prepares one for the tasks of citizenship, for participation in political and community affairs and for responsible and intelligent engagement in public life. This department’s unique major (and minor) in social philosophy is meant to instill these skills. As such, it is a valuable tool and indeed the very paradigm of a liberal arts education major.

Special Features

• Unique program in social philosophy — the only one in the SUNY system
• Chance for internship in senior year
• Small department allows close interaction with faculty
• Philosophy majors frequently top all other majors in the Law School Admissions Tests (LSAT)
• Cortland students who have graduated with a philosophy degree have gone on to widely varied careers — law school, human services, journalism, graduate study in philosophy, etc.
• Philosophy majors do better than the average liberal arts students at obtaining jobs after graduation — a surprise to many people who think of philosophy as impractical.

Requirements

1. Degree Requirements listed here apply to all of the majors offered by this department.
2. Liberal Arts Requirements: 90 credit hours

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