Board of Regents approves undergrad philosophy major at Kennesaw State
New program reflects university’s academic expansion and global-learning goals
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Georgia
(Oct 14, 2010) —
KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct. 13, 2010) – Kennesaw State University will begin offering a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy
next fall following approval by the Board of Regents at its October meeting.
The new degree program will be the only philosophy major offered at a University System
of Georgia institution that emphasizes both western and non-western philosophies.
“Philosophy is a very important component of the liberal arts tradition,” said W.
Ken Harmon, KSU’s interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Adding
the major is a low-cost, effective way for a growing university the size of Kennesaw
State to fill a significant gap in its liberal arts offerings.”
The philosophy major will emphasize knowledge of world cultures, research methods,
writing and analytical skills, ethical reasoning and understanding, and an appreciation
of cultural diversity.
“The curriculum in this major represents just the sort of education required for leadership
in today’s increasingly interconnected world,” said Richard Vengroff, dean of the
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, which will house the new major. “Our approach
stresses internationalized and integrated learning across disciplines and cultures.”
In addition to the general education, electives and related courses required for all
KSU undergraduates, the philosophy degree will require 30 hours of upper-level philosophy
courses, including nine hours in one of three concentrations: Western philosophy,
non-Western philosophy and values.
With the exception of three new courses that will be added to those currently offered
by the Department of History and Philosophy, all courses in the new major will be
taught by existing full-time faculty. Three part-time instructors will be added during
the first two years of the program.
The philosophy major is designed to prepare students for graduate study in philosophy
or related disciplines as well as for successful careers in a variety of fields such
as law and business, noted Tom Keene, interim chair of the Department of History and
Philosophy.
“A student majoring in philosophy receives a firm foundation in all areas necessary
for making sound moral choices, especially in thinking critically about real-life
issues,” said Keene. “With its emphasis on analytical problem solving, philosophy
is one of the undergraduate majors preferred by law schools in selecting applicants.”
Businesses and government also consider a philosophy major appropriate preparation
for many professional and management positions. The Federal Career Directory lists
20 different job classifications for which a philosophy major could qualify. Career
guidance publications such as “Occupational Thesaurus,” “Path” and “What Can I Be?”
list 55 different positions in nine general areas of business for which a philosophy
major is appropriate preparation.
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Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering more
than 70 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including doctorates in education, business
and nursing and a new Ph.D. in international conflict management. A member of the
35-unit University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive, residential
institution with a growing student population of more than 23,000 from 142 countries.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
