College of Liberal Arts
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The Major

Students who major in Philosophy have the considerable opportunity to design an undergraduate experience that meets their needs and interests. The major includes a "15 hours of additional Philosophy" requirement where students have the opportunity to explore course work in several different areas or focus on a specialized area of interest.

Many students find it possible to double major in Philosophy and in another field of study. The department welcomes such arrangements. Students with questions should contact the Academic Advisor to discuss how to incorporate another major in conjuction with the Philosphy major.

 

Major requirements

30 semester hours of philosophy including at least 18 hours of upper-division coursework and 18 hours in residence:

  • Three hours of ancient philosophy chosen from:
    • PHL 301K Ancient Philosophy or PHL 329K History of Ancient Philosophy
  • Three hours of early modern philosophy chosen from:
    • PHL 301L Early Modern Philosophy or PHL 329L Early Modern Philosophy: Descartes to Kant
  • Three hours of symbolic logic chosen:
    • PHL 313 Introductory Symbolic Logic or PHL 313Q Logic and Scientific Reasoning
  • Six hours of philosophy chosen from:
    • PHL 321K Theory of Knowledge
    • PHL 323K Metaphysics
    • PHL 323M Philosophy of Mind
    • PHL 323S Philosophy of Science
    • PHL 325K Ethical Theories
    • PHL 332 Philosophy of Language
  • 15 additional hours of Philosophy (six - nine hours must be upper-division)

 

Course Sequences

The Department of Philosophy does not require its students to follow a strict sequence of courses. However, we strongly recommend students take PHL 313 symbolic logic during their second or third year. We strongly advise against students taking PHL 313 during their first semester or waiting until their final year. 

We recommend students to take the ancient & early modern history sequence PHL 329K & PHL 329L -or- PHL 329K & PHL 301L -or- PHL 301K & PHL 329L during a students first two years. Ancient & early modern courses do not need to be taken in chronological order (i.e., ancient before early modern), although it is recommended. Additionally, these courses may not both be taken at the lower-division level. If one of these courses is taken at the lower-division level, an additional Philosophy course must be upper-division.   Note: PHL 329K is only offered in fall. PHL 329L is only offered in spring. 

We encourage students not to wait until their last semester to take the philosophy main courses like PHL 321K Theory of Knowledge, PHL 323K Metaphysics, PHL 323M Philosophy of Mind, PHL 323S Philosophy of Science, PHL 325K Ethical Theories, and PHL 332 Philosophy of Language. These courses fill quickly and students may have trouble getting into them, which could delay graduation.

 

 

Degree Plans

Earlier Catalogs

If you were in a catalog not listed above then you need to speak with the Academic Advisor to determine which catalog is appropriate for you and if you must complete additional degree requirements.