Nov 21, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Philosophy, Social Justice Track, B.A.

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The major requires a senior oral examination (0 credits). The interdisciplinary Social Justice track seeks to prepare students to direct their knowledge and skills toward the work of social change. Students will engage in the Catholic and Jesuit traditions of service to others, build a strong foundation of philosophical knowledge and moral deliberation, investigate the causes and consequences of contemporary social issues, and develop skills to be leaders advocating for the advancement of human dignity.

The Wisdom Core section included at the bottom of this program outlines the requirements to fulfill the Rockhurst Wisdom Core for all undergraduate students. When registering for classes, to find which courses will fulfill core requirements, search the Course Schedule by “Attribute Type”.

The Course Schedule is located on the Rockhurst Registrar’s webpage at www.rockhurst/registrar.

Specified Philosophy Hours

Students must take one lower-division foundational philosophy course, followed by the following 15 specified philosophy hours – 33 total (minimum) with Capstone:

Advanced Topic Ethics & Justice

Must take 6 credit hours

PL 4650 - Philosophy of Justice (3)
And select one of the following courses:
PL 3250 - Virtue and Character (3)
PL 4500 - Ethical Problems (3)
PL 4700 - Contemporary Bioethics (3)
PL 4750 - Natural Law Ethics (3)
Another approved course in philosophical ethics (3)

Catholic and Jesuit Foundation

Must take 3 credit hours

CA 3000 - Catholic Social Teaching (3)

Leadership and Communication

Must take 3 credit hours

LDV 3000 - Leading Collaborative Change (3)
CT 3010 - Leadership and Communication (3)
CT 3300 - Presentational Speaking (3)
CT 3840 - Persuasion: Theories of Social Influence (3)
CT 3850 - Culture and Communication (3)

Interdisciplinary Integration

Must take a 3 credit hour Philosophy Capstone (PL4XXX)

Upper-Level Elective Courses

12 Credit Hours

Twelve credit hours (12) of upper-level elective courses will be chosen in consultation with an advisor with the understanding that the topics of these courses will be the basis of research for the student’s capstone project.

Service Component

60 minimum cumulative required service hours (over 4 years)

25 hours of service must be related to the student’s chosen social issue and capstone project.
Additional hours may include service performed for service-learning courses & student organizations, and service tasks.

25 required service hours and one or more service trips or projects

25 hours of service must be related to the student’s chosen social issue and capstone project. A service trip or project may count toward this requirement if the service is related to the student’s project with approval from Philosophy Department advisors.
35 hours of service can be performed through one or more service trips and projects with approval from Philosophy Department advisors.

Wisdom Core Requirements

With few exceptions, Rockhurst undergraduate students are required to fulfill the following requirements of the Rockhurst Wisdom Core. To locate courses that fulfill specific wisdom core requirements, search the Course Schedule by “Attribute Type”. The Course Schedule is located on the Rockhurst Registrar’s webpage at www.rockhurst/registrar.

Cornerstone Requirement:

Cornerstones courses introduce students to the Jesuit tradition and to the University through study, discussion, and reflection. Topics will vary. Students are encouraged to take the Cornerstone course during their first year at Rockhurst.

This 2 credit hour course may be offered through the College of Arts and Sciences (WCCA), the College of Business and Technology (WCCB), or Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences (WCCN), with a variety of content to be covered in each individual course.

The attribute code attached to any Cornerstone class is WCC.

WCC 1000 - Wisdom Core Cornerstone (2)

Foundation Course Requirements: 37-40 hours

Foundations courses are lower division courses representing the traditional liberal arts and sciences disciplines that are highly valued within the Jesuit tradition. Transfer courses may be accepted to fulfill Foundation core requirements.

NW - Natural World	Complete one science class with a lab from biology, chemistry, physics, or natural sciences (4 hours)
HC - History and Culture: HCA	Complete one class from art, music, or theatre arts (3 hours)
HC - History and Culture: HCH	Complete one transnational history class (3 hours)
HC - History and Culture: HCL	Complete one class from literature in English or literature in Modern Languages (3 hours)
IS - Individuals and Society	Complete two classes from two different disciplines of: criminal justice, economics, psychology, sociology, or political science (6 hours)
UQ - Universal Questions: UQP	Complete one philosophy course in ethical theory at 2000-level or above (3 hours)
UQ - Universal Questions: UQT	Complete one lower-level course in Theology & Religious Studies (3 hours)
UQ - Universal Questions	Complete one additional upper-level course from either theology or philosophy - this swing course may be a Rockhurst or transfer course. (3 hours)
EP - Eloquentia Perfecta: WC	Complete one or two written composition courses with WC attribute. (3 or 6 hours) A student with an English ACT score over 24 may fulfill this requirement with EN 1140. (3 hours); OR A student who does not have an English ACT score of 24 must complete EN 1110 and EN 1120. (6 hours)
EP - Eloquentia Perfecta: OC	Complete one oral communication course with OC attribute. (3 hours)
QR - Quantitative Reasoning	Complete one math course (3 hours)

Keystone Core Designations:

The Keystone designations are specific learning outcomes which students fulfill through Rockhurst upper-division courses, found primarily in the students’ major or minor program of study. No specific number of credits are required, but students are required to fulfill one of each of the seven Keystone designations. These courses emphasize skills listed in the “Core Rationale and Learning Goals,” such as Inquiry, Analysis, Critical Thinking, and Global Citizenship.

Keystones can only be fulfilled through Rockhurst courses.

Note: if a Keystone designation contains sub-core designations, the Keystone requirement may be fulfilled through either one of its subcore designations.

The seven Keystone designations are as follows:

KEYSTONE DESIGNATION CODE	KEYSTONE DESCRIPTION	SUB-CORE KEYSTONE DESIGNATIONS
IAC	Inquiry, Analysis, and Critical Thinking	Complete one course with either CT (Critical Thinking) or IA (Inquiry & Analysis) designation. Either designation will satisfy IAC.
IQL	Information and Quantitative Literacy	Complete one course with either IF (Information Fluency) or QL (Quantitative Literacy) designation. Either designation will satisfy IQL.
ACI	Artistic/Creative & Innovative Expression	Complete one course with either AE (Artistic Expression) or IV (Innovation) designation. Either designation will satisfy ACI.
CC	Communication and Collaboration Skills	Complete one course with either CM (Communication Skills) or CO (Collaboration Skills) designation. Either designation will satisfy CC.
IAS	Intercultural Awareness and Sensitivity	Complete one course with the IAS designation.
GC	Global Citizenship	Complete one course with the GC designation.
ESE	Ethical Reasoning & Social Engagement	Complete one course with either ER (Ethical Reasoning & Action) or SK (Social Knowledge & Engagement) designation. Either designation will satisfy ESE.

Threshold Experiences

Before graduation, students are required to engage in at least one course or experience certified as using a high impact practice. Students must complete one of the following Threshold Experiences at Rockhurst:

WI	Writing-Intensive
ID	Interdisciplinary
UR	Undergraduate Research
IN	Internship
TSL	Threshold Service Learning Experience
RP	Reflective Portfolios
SA	Study Abroad

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