<p>Does anyone have any information regarding "prerequisite knowledge," required for philosophical studies? I would think that if one were to have required writings, both in class, and out, that it would include the incorporation of relevant philosophers, readings, theories, etc. </p>
<p>Thus, other than the "intro philosophy requirement," for most classes, what would kind of outside knowledge should one have? I have interests of doing a double major or minor in philosophy, but I have not done much independent study or reading, which would leave me to believe any required debates or arguments for class would not turn out too well.</p>
<p>Arguments and writings are based on facts and historical events. My writings would be limited to any knowledge acquired by assigned readings. Does this make sense to anyone?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I have taken two intermediate-level philosophy courses for my distribution requirements. I am a math major and computer science minor - I know no history to speak of and I had never seriously thought about philosophy before. I was fine in both of my philosophy classes.</p>
<p>Students start the philosophy major from a variety of backgrounds. The introductory and intermediate philosophy classes are mostly self-contained. If at some point in the course you feel like you could benefit from more historical background knowledge, you can talk to your professors and they would be happy to point you in the right direction. </p>
<p>If you want to prepare for the philosophy major ahead of time, the best thing you could do is study formal logic. A working command of second-order logic will help you parse some dense philosophical arguments.</p>
<p>One should know how to read and write well, but you don’t necessarily have to be a master of grammar or anything. The point of philosophy is to teach you how to think better and be a better human being, they don’t expect you to be there already before you even start the major. Therefore, there’s really no prerequisite expect for being competent enough to have graduated high school (although I actually didn’t graduate high school and got A’s in both phil. classes I’ve taken so far.</p>
<p>how about graduate level courses? I found a really interesting graduate course in philosophy at my school, but I don’t think it’s too smart taking the course during my first semester as a transfer. </p>
<p>however, I would hate to miss out on such an interesting topic. moreover, there is a really interesting honors course. too bad. haha.</p>
<p>If you have specific courses in mind, why don’t you email the instructors?</p>
<p>b@r!um,</p>
<p>Thanks. That is what I am currently doing. Is there any particular “email etiquette,” when speaking with them?</p>
<p>I know the advisors are responsible for most things; thus, I don’t know what is appropriate to bother professors with.</p>
<p>It’s totally appropriate to email professors with questions about the course content, especially as you get to the advanced undergraduate and graduate level where general advisers can’t really help you. Just keep your email polite and to the point.</p>
<p>thanks! my experience so far has been great; amazing the responsive and attentiveness of my professors (feels good to call them professors and not instructors).</p>