Philosophy, Minor
Philosophy and Religion Department
Program Overview
Philosophy, Minor
Are you interested in sharpening your mind and exploring life’s biggest questions? The Philosophy Minor is a focused 12-credit program designed to give you robust critical reasoning and analytic skills that are highly valued in any career field. This minor is flexible, allowing you to pair it seamlessly with any major and deepen your understanding of core intellectual traditions.
Minor
Description
Philosophy isn’t about memorizing dates and facts; it’s about learning how to think clearly and critically. It’s the ultimate mental workout!
What Will You Explore?
This minor helps you tackle the biggest questions humans have ever faced. You’ll dive into areas like:
- Logic: Learn the rules of correct reasoning. You’ll figure out how to build unbeatable arguments and spot bad ones instantly.
- Ethics (Moral Philosophy): What is right and wrong? You’ll examine theories that guide our actions, like justice, duty, and happiness.
Why Is Philosophy a Smart Choice?
Choosing a philosophy minor gives you incredible skills that employers and graduate schools value, no matter what your main major is:
- Critical Thinking: You’ll learn to analyze complex problems and break them down into simple parts.
- Persuasive Writing & Speaking: You’ll gain practice crafting clear, logical, and convincing arguments.
- Problem Solving: Philosophy is essentially advanced problem-solving training!
This minor will challenge you to think smarter, argue better, and understand the world—and yourself—on a much deeper level!
Minor
Requirements
Required Core Courses
To earn the Minor in Philosophy (12 credits total), you must complete the following:
- Required Core Courses (6 Credits)
Students must complete both of the following courses:- PHIL 101 – Introduction to Logic (3 cr)
- PHIL 201 – Introduction to Ethics and Social Philosophy (3 cr)
- Elective Courses (6 Credits)
Students must complete at least 2 courses (6 credits total) from the following list:- PHIL 211 – Political Philosophy (3 cr)
- PHIL 214 – History of Modern Western Philosophy I: Rationalism, Empiricism and Kant (3 cr)
- PHIL 215 – History of Modern Western Philosophy II: The 19th Century (3 cr)
- PHIL 301 – Black Philosophical Thought in the Twentieth Century (3 cr)
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help
If you have questions regarding the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences or need assistance navigating the application process, please reach out to our department office.
Chairperson: David Orenstein | dorenstein@mec.cuny.edu
Phone: 718 270-4863 Fax: 718 270-4828
Location: 1650 Bedford Avenue, B-1032 D