Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Academic Year: MMXXV–MMXXVI
re Sequence: The Great Books of Western Civilization
PHIL 101: Foundations of Classical Thought
An introduction to the pre-Socratic philosophers, the epic tradition (Homer, Hesiod), and the birth of metaphysical inquiry. Emphasis on wonder as the beginning of wisdom.
PHIL 102: Socratic Dialogues
A deep reading of Plato’s dialogues, with particular focus on the Apology, Phaedo, and Republic. Seminar format. Students practice dialectic through regular oral disputation.
PHIL 201: Aristotle’s Metaphysics and Ethics
Close reading of Nicomachean Ethics, Physics, and selections from Metaphysics. Emphasis on the doctrine of act and potency, the four causes, and the pursuit of eudaimonia.
PHIL 202: Medieval Synthesis
Study of Augustine, Boethius, Anselm, and early Scholastics. Core text: City of God. Themes include time and eternity, free will, the nature of evil, and the soul’s ascent to God.
PHIL 301: Thomistic Theology
Selections from St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae. Topics include the five ways, the attributes of God, the virtues, natural law, and the beatific vision.
PHIL 302: Crisis and Critique: Modern Philosophy
Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant, and Nietzsche. This course explores the rise of skepticism, empiricism, and moral relativism—and the Catholic response.
PHIL 401: The Person and the Polis
Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, and John Paul II. Explores the philosophical foundations of political community, subsidiarity, and the role of virtue in civic life.
PHIL 402: Senior Thesis and Rhetoric Seminar
A capstone course in which students complete and publicly defend a senior thesis before a faculty tribunal. Weekly seminar on classical rhetoric and persuasive communication.
Scripture & Theology Core
THEO 111: Sacred Scripture I – The Law and the Prophets
Genesis through Malachi, with theological commentary from Augustine and Aquinas. Introduction to typology and covenant theology.
THEO 112: Sacred Scripture II – The Life of Christ
A harmony of the Gospels through the lens of the Fathers. Students memorize key passages and present oral reflections.
THEO 211: Sacred Scripture III – The Apostolic Church
Acts, Pauline Epistles, and Catholic Epistles. The development of doctrine and ecclesial structure.
THEO 212: Sacred Scripture IV – Eschatology and Apocalypse
The Book of Revelation, the Last Things, and apocalyptic theology from St. Ephrem to St. Leo. Includes commentary on the Liturgy of the Hours.
Language & Logic Sequence
LAT 101–102: Latin I & II
Classical Latin grammar and vocabulary, with readings from Cicero, Caesar, and early Christian texts. Required for all first-year students.
LAT 201–202: Latin III & IV
Translation and composition. Texts include Augustine’s Confessions, Leo the Great’s sermons, and Latin hymns.
LOG 201: Logic and Argumentation
Introduction to Aristotelian logic, fallacies, and syllogisms. Weekly exercises in symbolic logic and disputation.
RHE 401: Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing
Study of the classical rhetorical tradition with practice in speeches, homilies, essays, and public oratory. Final project is a formal address delivered in the Royal Forum.
Electives (Royal Honors Collegium only)
GREEK 301: Introduction to Koine Greek
Grammar and vocabulary through readings in the New Testament and Septuagint.
PHIL 410: Phenomenology and Personalism
Heidegger, Stein, Wojtyła, and Guardini. Open to advanced students with permission of the Chair.
PHIL 495: Directed Reading in Patristic Theology
Independent tutorial with a faculty member on an approved topic. May substitute for one core course with approval.
📜 Graduation Requirements
- Completion of 120 credit hours
- Latin proficiency examination (by end of Year 2)
- Senior thesis and oral defense
- Regular participation in campus liturgies and academic convocation