John Brown University
2000 W. University St.,
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
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Become a thinker • Explore big ideas • Grow in wisdom
In the philosophy major, you'll engage with the writings of historic philosophers and connect their thinking to today's world. You'll be challenged to read carefully, think critically and communicate clearly as you explore big questions from a Christian perspective. Whether you continue your education or enter the workforce upon graduation, a degree in philosophy from JBU will equip you to succeed in any pursuit requiring analytical reasoning.
Start your applicationPhilosophy students interact and engage with faculty and classmates and discuss a diverse set of topics like modern philosophy, logic, ethics and the philosophy of religion.
The philosophy major is designed to produce students who leave JBU with disciplined clarity who will be able to read carefully, think critically, write effectively and speak clearly.
Students studying philosophy are well-positioned to pursue any career that requires analytical reasoning, as well as graduate school in philosophy, theology, ministry, business, law or medicine.
Philosophy students will engage with complex and deep topics while learning from the world's greatest thinkers. The philosophy department excels at providing students with the tools to think critically to set them up for future success.
The full-time and adjunct faculty at JBU have published extensive research in philosophy and maintain research projects in addition to teaching full-time.
Each year JBU students present papers at national academic conferences like The Southwest Conference of the American Academy of Religion.
JBU’s graduates are getting their graduate degrees from schools like Princeton, Duke, Denver Seminary and Dallas Theological Seminary.
JBU equips students with the necessary resources to launch them into the careers they set out to pursue, and students will find that their philosophy major will prepare them for a broad range of fields and jobs.
A degree in philosophy gives you a broad foundation and the ability to think critically and make decisions, which all benefit leaders in the business world.
The ability to think and write clearly, to analyze and present arguments, is highly valued in the law profession. Philosophy majors have one of the highest rates of acceptance at law schools.
Medical schools look favorably upon candidates with a liberal arts degree, especially from philosophy departments.
If politics has captured your interest, a major in philosophy will give you a solid foundation for a variety of jobs in government.
An introduction to considering and evaluating arguments. Topics include formal and informal fallacies, syllogisms, truth tables, and statement or propositional logic. The course can include an introduction to predicate logic as well.
A comprehensive and critical study of morality. Topics can include metaethics, normative ethics, or applied ethics.
A survey of the development of the Western philosophical tradition, based on a close reading of primary texts, from Descartes to Nietzsche.
An introduction to a major topic in the philosophy of religion, e.g. arguments for and against the existence of God, the problem of evil, or the relationship between God and morality. Students should be able to give an adequate defense of the Christian faith by the end of the semester.
Equip yourself for a successful career and a life of purpose.
JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.
