The Philosophy Department is well-integrated into the , with courses in every tier of the MCC. 

Foundation-Tier Courses

In addition to PHIL 1001 (Foundations in Philosophy), the Philosophy Department faculty regularly teaches sections of CORE 1929 (Foundations in Methods of Inquiry). It also offers the following Engaging Social System and Values 1 (ESSV1) courses.

Engaging Social Systems and Values 1 (ESSV1)

PHIL 2310 – Ethical Reasoning: Theory and Dialogue in Real-World Contexts
                      (formerly PHIL 2310 – Theory of Ethics)
PHIL 2720 – Philosophical Perspectives on Equality

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Discovery-Tier Courses

Students must take at least four courses in their chosen Discovery-Tier theme: at least one in the Humanities (HUM), one in Natural Science and Mathematics (NSM), and one in Social Science (SSC).

The Philosophy Department offers multiple HUM courses each semester, spanning all of the Discovery-Tier themes. In conjunction with the Cognitive Science Program, which is part of the Philosophy Department, it also offers two NSM courses. Courses listed below are HUM unless otherwise noted.

Up to two courses can count towards fulfilling both MCC Discovery-Tier requirements and the major requirements of primary Philosophy majors. 

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Other Requirements: Writing-Intensive Courses

PHIL 3505 – Philosophy and Film
PHIL 3610 – Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 4540 – Philosophy of Education
PHIL 4954 – Writing-Intensive Seminar in Philosophy
INCG 4997 – Capstone in Cognitive Science

Other Requirements: Engaging Social Systems and Values 2 (ESSV2) Courses

PHIL 3502 – Narrating Freedom: Gender, Race and Mass Incarceration
PHIL 3507 – Global Justice
PHIL 4931 – Topics in Philosophy: Justice, Freedom and the Arts
All PHIL EPP courses

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Culminating Experience

Philosophy faculty teach half of the numerous sections of CORE 4929 The Service of Faith and Promotion of Justice, a culminating course that further integrates the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Core experience, emphasizing reflection on and application of knowledge and skills developed in the Core. A special focus on vocation and discernment invites students to evaluate their course work at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ alongside their own worldview.

[Updated Jun 2026]