Philosophy Program at The American University of Paris - France

The Philosophy Program offers students either a Minor (20 credits) or a Concentration (28 credits) in the History of Philosophy and Modern and Contemporary Philosophy. The Concentration in Philosophy must be done in accompaniment with a separate major: i.e. ICP/PL, IE/PL, AH/PL, CL/PL, etc. Interested students wishing to specialize in one area more than another during their philosophical studies (Philosophy and the Humanities and/or Philosophy and Social Science) are also recommended to consult the honors program in “Philosophy, Politics and Economics” in the International and Comparative Politics department and the interdisciplinary minor in “Critical Theory” in the Comparative Literature department.

The Philosophy Minor introduces the student to fundamental methods of philosophical enquiry, gives a historical overview of western philosophy from the Ancients to contemporary philosophical thought and then allows the student to develop their individual philosophical interest within a broad range of topic-oriented courses across the humanities, social sciences and sciences.

The Philosophy Concentration is divided into three sections: the first core (as for the minor) develops basic skills in philosophical analysis and thought and gives an overview of western philosophy; the second core focuses on three major areas of concern to modern and contemporary continental reflection – the genealogy of the subject, the critique of political economy, philosophical and political modernity; the third section offers a range of courses in ‘Philosophy and the Disciplines’ (Philosophy and Film, Philosophy and Literature, Philosophy and Political Economy, Philosophy and Science, etc.) that are housed either in the Philosophy Program, adjoining departments, or in the programs of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and Critical Theory. The overall concern of the Philosophy Concentration is to give students a rigorous and adventurous introduction to philosophy in its historical, modern, and contemporary concerns with actuality. The concentration has therefore been conceived in a disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and dynamic fashion.

Training in both philosophical reasoning and the traditions of philosophy provides the student with a rigorous and imaginative set of skills that strongly enhances and complements all majors across the humanities and social science. The Concentration in Philosophy is thus highly advised as a theoretical and reflective companion to work in, and across, specific disciplines. All professional careers and/or graduate schools appreciate such reflection at the undergraduate level.