The Master of Arts in Social Philosophy provides an education for students interested in ethical, political, and other philosophical issues concerning society and social justice. Students enrolled in this program will learn to analyze the human condition through complex social, political, economic, and cultural contexts that characterize the contemporary global landscape. We also offer courses that introduce students to the history of philosophy and that explore the relationship between philosophical inquiry and the humanities for generally.

Curriculum

The Master of Arts in Social Philosophy requires 30 credit hours of graduate coursework (10 courses).  The below requirements apply to any student following the M.A. program in Social Philosophy. However, Jesuits who elect to pursue this degree should consult with their advisor regarding other requirements associated with their First Studies program.

Specific courses may not be offered every semester and course offerings are subject to change.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Select two courses in Moral Philosophy 1		6
PHIL 462	Kant's Moral Philosophy
PHIL 463	Virtue Ethics
PHIL 464	Utilitarianism
PHIL 466	Major Authors in Moral Philosophy
PHIL 467	Contemporary Ethical Theories
PHIL 468	Topics in Ethics
PHIL 469	Ethics and Rationality
PHIL 470	Ethics & Economic Justice
PHIL 474	Principles of Business Ethics
PHIL 475	Philosophy of Nursing: Nursing as a Moral Practice
PHIL 477	Social Health Care Ethics
PHIL 479	Issues in Applied Ethics
Select three courses in Social Philosophy 1,2		9
PHIL 459	Philosophy of Law
PHIL 480	Social & Political Philosophy
PHIL 481	Philosophy of Action
PHIL 482	Philosophy of Social Science
Select five elective graduate level Elective Courses 3		15
Total Hours		30

¹

 PHIL 470 Ethics & Economic Justice can fulfill either the Moral Philosophy or the Social Philosophy requirement. Some courses can fulfill the Moral or Social Philosophy distribution requirements depending on course contents. Students make seek advising from Graduate Program Director in course selection to meet requirements.

²

These courses often include issues concerning ethics and social justice.

³

Up two two electives may be related courses offered by other graduate departments or schools within Loyola, subject to approval from the Graduate Program Director.

• For students who being in M.A. in Social Philosophy in Fall 2023 of later: Beginning in Fall 2023, all required courses must be taken at the 400 or 500 level. 300-level undergraduate courses cannot be counted toward the MA in Social Philosophy. This does not apply to students who entered before Fall 2023.
• For students who being in M.A. in Social Philosophy before Fall 2023: Of the required courses, up to three may (but need not) be taken as upper-division undergraduate (300-level) courses. The remainder must be graduate courses (400 or 500 level).

Other Philosophy graduate level courses may be used in the above requirements.  Students should consult with the Graduate Program Director if a course of interest is not shown in the above curriculum grid.  For a full list of Philosophy graduate level courses, click here.

Research Tool Requirement

There is no research tool/language requirement for this degree.

Paper Presentation

There is no formal departmental examination.  A final project paper, developed in conjunction with a faculty advisor, is presented publicly at the end of the course of studies. The presentation of the paper requires a committee of three faculty members (at least two from the Philosophy Department).

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MA in Social Philosophy students will have:

• Acquired advanced knowledge and be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the history of philosophy
  • Demonstrate knowledge of perennial and contemporary issues in philosophy
  • Demonstrate expertise in a particular area of philosophy
• Engaged in discursive and critical thinking and be able to:
  • Identify hidden presuppositions of everyday beliefs
  • Articulate and evaluate philosophical arguments
  • Consider alternative kinds of philosophical argumentation
  • Apply philosophical categories, methods and insights to other areas of human interest, experience, or cognitive inquiry
• Produced and disseminated scholarship and be able to:
  • Frame, research, complete and defend the MA paper
  • Frame, complete and submit papers for scholarly conferences and publications
• Developed the skills to appreciate and participate in citizenship in the academic community, in the larger community, and in the world and be able to:
  • Work with others for the sake of common purposes
  • Foster Jesuit ideals, including truth and justice
  • Enhance the pleasures of work in common