Department of Philosophy

Philosophy is an exciting and challenging discipline because it focuses on some of the deepest and most intractable questions humans face:  Is there any objective standard of moral rightness?  Does God exist?  Do humans have free will?  The methods philosophers use to tackle these questions – imaginative “thought experiments” and rigorous analysis of arguments – help students to build skills that are essential to a liberal arts education. We believe that our department has much to offer: an accomplished faculty who are dedicated to undergraduate teaching, a wide range of introductory courses that allows non-majors to explore philosophy, and a comprehensive philosophy major with many opportunities for students to pursue research under faculty supervision.  In addition, our relatively small size and location (in two  Charleston single houses) encourages casual and friendly faculty-student interaction.  Please explore what the department has to offer.  If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us for additional information.

Message from the Chair

Todd Grantham
Department Chair

Welcome students, parents, and alumni! After a quiet summer, the campus is once again coming alive with excitement.  In that spirit, I want to update you on some exciting developments in the department. read more

Department Spotlight

Christian Coseru
Associate Professor

Christian Coseru has been awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute Grant to stage an institute on “Investigating Consciousness: Buddhist and Contemporary Philosophical Perspectives” on campus in Summer 2012. read more