The major in philosophy requires the completion of 44 units (11 4-credit courses) in philosophy. Most of the courses offered to philosophy majors and minors are capped at 20 students to ensure an intimate atmosphere, fostering in-depth discussion.
There are four (4) required "foundational" courses, and the remaining courses may be selected from 300- and 400-level electives, a variety of which are offered every semester. Students may count u0p to two (2) lower-division, 100- or 200- level introductory courses toward a Philosophy major, but are not required to do so. All incoming students are advised to immediately enroll in PHIL 310 - Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, which will also satisfy the Core D1 Philosophy requirement. PHIL 315 - Ethics for Majors, also required, will satisfy the Core D3 Ethics requirement
Summary of Requirements for the Major
The major requires completion of forty-four (44) credits in philosophy, as follows:
Required Courses (4)
- PHIL - 310 Origins: Ancient Philosophy and Development
- PHIL - 312 Modern Philosophy
- PHIL - 315 Ethics for Majors
- PHIL - 319 Logic
Elective Courses - Lower Division (2)
- (No more than two courses may be may be taken at the 100- or 200-level.)
- One Philosophy lower or upper division course
- One Philosophy lower or upper division course
- Elective Courses - Upper Division (300- or 400-level) (5)
- PHIL upper division course
- PHIL upper division course
- PHIL upper division course
- PHIL upper division course
- PHIL upper division course
Learning Goals/Outcomes for the B.A. in Philosophy
- Students will define and classify the philosophical questions animating specific historical periods.
- Students will demonstrate sophistication in analyzing and critically evaluating philosophical arguments.
- Students will articulate in speech and writing the relations between philosophical enquiries in various areas, identifying and differentiating the broad categories of the philosophical enterprise.
- Students will demonstrate an ability to philosophize, engaging the most profound questions of the discipline and employing the answers they find most cogent.
- Students will cultivate greater awareness of the relation between practical philosophy (e.g., ethics and politics) and the need for social responsibility and justice in their community and around the globe.
