Philosophy Learning Outcomes

Philosophy at USD prepares the next generation of global citizens to rise above. To learn the challenges of society and then help to solve them.

Major learning outcomes

1. Students demonstrate their ability to use the techniques of formal and informal logical analysis.
2. Students employ philosophical texts, past and present, to explain why a philosophical problem is significant and to critically evaluate attempts to solve a problem.
3. Students can read and understand primary and secondary philosophical sources.
4. Students can reconstruct and critically evaluate philosophical arguments in written form.

Core curriculum learning outcomes

Philosophical inquiry

Students should be able to:

1. Identify and define issues and problems of concern, analyzing them critically and systematically by asking relevant questions, examining different sides of an issue and evaluating arguments and, where appropriate, using the language and techniques of formal logic to articulate and assess argumentation. (Analysis)
2. Construct clear, rigorous arguments for well-delineated theses. (Argumentation)

Philosophy courses will achieve of one or more of the following learning outcomes:

1. Central problems of philosophy: Demonstrate awareness of the central areas of philosophical inquiry, including logic, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, epistemology, or ethics and of the major questions explored in these fields.
2. History of philosophy: Demonstrate knowledge of the views of selected major figures, movements, and important theories in central areas of ancient, medieval, modern or contemporary philosophy.
3. Philosophy and other disciplines: Integrate the study of philosophic problems and problem-solving techniques with work in other academic disciplines.

Ethical inquiry

Students should be able to:

1. Describe and analyze key ethical concepts (e.g., justice, happiness, the good, moral value, virtue, dignity, rights, equality, etc.). (Foundational Knowledge)
2. Reason ethically by drawing on major ethical theories and traditions (e.g., virtue ethics, feminist ethics, Catholic social thought, deontological ethics, consequentialist theories, etc.) or the values grounding those traditions (e.g., autonomy, utility, etc.) to normatively assess individual, professional and institutional decisions. (Ethical Reasoning)
3. Analyze a contemporary ethical issue from multiple perspectives, including identifying potential biases on the basis of social location (e.g., historical, cultural, gender, racial, economic, religious, ability, etc.) (Perspectival Reflection)
4. Develop, articulate and defend a well-reasoned judgment on a particular ethical issue, demonstrating nuance and ambiguity, as well as clarity and precision, in their thinking and writing about moral problems, concepts and ideals. (Clarity of Argument)
5. Reflect on and evaluate their own ethical decisions, actions and practices, as well as on their obligations as morally responsible agents. (Ethical Self-Reflection)

For the most updated curriculum and course information, go to the catalog of record.