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Wasbash and Auditorium buildings
Location: Chicago
Start Term: Fall, Spring
Program Type: Major, Minor

In asking students to reevaluate their understanding of the human condition, philosophy courses encourage students to question fundamental beliefs and to appreciate the complexity of controversial subjects. Students learn to discern the important issues in life and become civically engaged. Studies demonstrate that philosophy majors generally have the highest scores of any major on law and graduate school standardized tests, and that the study of philosophy improves performance in STEM fields.

What Differentiates Us

Grad Hat

A LIFE WELL-LIVED

Students learn to read fundamental philosophical texts with precision, nuance, and subtlety, and learn to live a life of wonder, inquiry, and thoughtfulness.

Building

UNIQUE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The philosophy program has inquisitive, passionate fellow students from diverse walks of life and a world-class faculty that consistently grapples with the fundamental questions of life. Students have opportunities to engage with world-renowned scholars and a variety of educational programs through the Montesquieu Forum for the Study of Civic Life.

Teach

WORK CLOSELY WITH YOUR PROFESSORS

Full-time faculty teach in small classes and provide mentoring to students. Students complete a senior research project designed by the student in consultation with faculty.

Expectations & Requirements

Standards

  • A dynamic and constantly evolving curriculum.
  • Thematic courses that explore how individuals lead their lives.
  • Courses focused on substantial and timely philosophical questions, such as "What is happiness?" "What is a family?" Or on critical ethical issues, such as life and death in medicine.
  • Emphasis on history/history of ideas.
  • Writing-intensive classes.
  • Affiliation with the Montesquieu Forum, which gives students scholarly experiences outside the classroom.
  • Accessible faculty committed to student academic success.

Sample Courses

  • Philosophy of Technology
  • On Happiness
  • Philosophical Psychology
  • Utopias
  • Philosophy & Tyranny
  • Philosophy in Film
  • Existentialism
 

Outcomes

Positions held by Roosevelt philosophy alumni
Notable alumni
Graduate schools attended

More Opportunities

Clubs & Activities

  • Montesquieu Forum for the Study of Civic Life
  • Debate Club

Testimonials

The program trained me to think critically and consider thoughts from all points of view. It nurtured my inexperienced writing into a succinct and eloquent style. The professors provided strong guidance for my academics and my career. The skills learned in this program made me a better student and a better attorney.

​Harrison Keyes 2012
BA, Attorney, Chicago Stock Exchange
Stuart Warner

At RU, philosophy is a way of life — being thoughtful and passionate about big questions; taking pleasure in thinking about the world and our place in it; realizing our first thoughts should not be our last thoughts; and always being guided by the motto, 'Never Ask the End,' for our thinking and engagement about the world is a lifetime commitment.

Stuart Warner
Associate Professor of Philosophy, Roosevelt University

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