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Tammy Nyden, Associate Professor of Philosophy, teaches a class in Steiner Hall

Philosophy

Question everything and think critically.

To study philosophy is to ask the questions that thinking human beings everywhere have asked, in one way or another: Who am I? What can I know? What should I do? What can I hope? Though it does not fall upon any generation to answer these questions once and for all, a generation that refuses to confront them refuses to engage the work of its time. Pluralistic and historically oriented, the philosophy program at Grinnell is dedicated to open inquiry into these big questions and their meaning for today.

Why Study Philosophy

  • Students participating in the classroom.

    Big Questions

    Discover yourself and your place in the world.

    As a student of philosophy, you’ll ponder the questions that thinking human beings everywhere have always asked, in one way or another: Who am I? What can I know? What should I do? What can I hope for? Pluralistic and historically oriented, the philosophy program at Grinnell is dedicated to helping you pursue open inquiry into these big questions and their meaning for people today.

  • Professor Nyden demonstrates early scientific instruments

    Interdisciplinary Curriculum

    A varied program that supports all your academic efforts.

    You’ll confront, in a disciplined and constructive way, fundamental questions and problems, both theoretical and practical, about yourself and your relationship to the world. You’ll discover that the study of philosophy enriches your thinking, imagination, understanding, and experience. You’ll find yourself reflecting upon things you formerly took for granted — and you’ll learn to apply these philosophical perspectives to issues in your other courses.

  • Professor Fennell in classroom

    Individualized Program

    Supplement your studies with your own interest areas.

    As a student in the philosophy department, you’ll be invited to construct an individualized program that pursues your philosophical interests and helps you make connections to your studies in other disciplines. You will also be encouraged to study a foreign language to supplement your study of philosophy. You’ll find this approach to be a valuable contribution to your academic pursuits and to almost any career.

Alumni Spotlight

Jack Marchesi '20

Spot the Gaps and Fill Them In

Philosophy major Jack Marchesi ’20 appreciates how philosophy courses consistently defy his expectations. “I always leave with more questions than I had before the course began.”

Meet Jack
Burling Library at night, windows lit

At the Intersection of Philosophy and Political Science

Max Fenton ’19, a philosophy and political science double major, was drawn to Grinnell as a good base for graduate school and for its “reputation as a place in which knowledge was acquired for its own sake.”

Meet Max
Jin Chang

Intrigued by the Challenge of Intro to Philosophy

Jin Chang ’18, marketing associate at a Silicon Valley tech company, thought he was going to major in math or science when he came to Grinnell. Then, his tutorial adviser encouraged him to take a humanities class his first semester. He chose Introduction to Philosophy. 

Meet Jin

A Different Kind of Philosophy Course

Professor Tammy Nyden (center) listens to two students during class

Behind the Scenes of a Specially Designed Course

You probably know from experience that when you have a teacher who’s excited about teaching, the class is energized. Special topics courses give professors that chance to re-energize. Now multiply that energy level by 3. Three professors — from American studies, education, and philosophy — co-taught a special topics course, The School-to-Prison Pipeline (STPP), during the fall 2019 semester.

About a dozen students and instructor listen to another student presenting informally in their classroom

Students Learn Strategies and Tactics for Making a Difference

You care about the world and you want to make a difference. Can you do that in a class?

The 25 Grinnell students who took The School-to-Prison Pipeline, a special topics course, would say, “Yes, absolutely.” The 4-credit class examined schools’ discipline practices and policies, their impacts, and the work people are doing to create positive change. Students not only learned about the issue, but also how to contribute to the common good through social action.

Philosophy Career Outcomes

First Destinations

  • 42% Employment
  • 36% Graduate School
  • 8% Post-Graduate Service
  • 3% Fellowships
  • 0% Continuing Education
  • 11% Other

Employment

100%
Positions related to Career Goals

Positions Related to Career Goals

This graph illustrates the extent to which our graduates' first job is aligned with their career goals. It's one thing to find a job; it's an entirely different thing to land the job you want!

Employer

  • Civic Works
  • Investment Reports
  • Land O' Lakes, Inc.
  • Zl technologies

Graduate Schools

100%
100% Accepted to 1st- or 2nd- choice programs

Graduate School Acceptance Info

Of those who applied to and were accepted to at least one program, this chart illustrates the percentage of admitted students who were accepted to either their first or second choice program and institution.

Institutions

  • Central European University
  • DePaul University
  • Stanford University
  • University of Memphis
  • University of Minnesota
Explore More Graduate Outcomes

Department Chair

John Fennell

Department Information

Phone
(641) 269-3157

Humanities & Social Studies Center
1226 Park St
Grinnell, IA 50112
United States

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