Concentration Advising Pages

The Philosophy Major

The philosophy major is designed to provide a classic liberal education, emphasizing both breadth of knowledge and historical approaches. The requirements for the major build on the study of the history of philosophy and then branch out to explore the array of contemporary philosophical problems, as well as areas of specialty that students may wish to explore in greater detail. To help plan your class schedule, consult the Course Rotation Guidelines . Be certain to consult advisor early in your major program (visit the Advising pages for more information).

39 units are required to complete the major. The course requirements for the major are:

1. Philosophy 315 Philosophical Argumentative Writing (3)
2. Required courses in the history of philosophy before 1900 (9)
   • Philosophy 290 History of Philosophy: Greek Philosophy (3)
   • Philosophy 300 History of Philosophy: Rationalism and Empiricism (3)
   • Philosophy 301 History of Philosophy: Kant and the 19th Century (3)
3. Additional History of Philosophy Requirement: (6)
   Two of the following courses: Philosophy 291, 323, 343, 350, 379, 380, 381, 383
4. Other Course Requirements (3 units each from A and B)
   A. Ethics: Philosophy 345 or 410
   B. Metaphysics, Epistemology: Philosophy 420, 430, 435, 440
5. Seminar Requirement: Three units (one course) from Philosophy 447T, 455, 460, 470, 480 or 490
6. Electives: 12 units of philosophy courses, no more than six lower-division, which have not been used to fulfill other requirements.

NOTE: Philosophy 105, Critical Thinking, and Phil 106, Introduction to Logic, count BOTH toward meeting the University General Education Requirements (Area xxx) AND toward the philosophy major requirements (area 6). Students are encouraged to enroll in either of these courses as part of completing their general education requirements and philosophy degree program.

Recommended Course Work for Philosophy Majors

Students who are planning to attend graduate school in philosophy are urged (a) to consult with faculty early on about their planned program of study, (b) to acquire proficiency in a foreign language, (c) to take a wide variety of upper division courses offered by tenure-track faculty, and (d) to include in their program of study as many as possible of the following:

• Philosophy 303 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (3)
• Philosophy 345 Social and Political Philosophy (3)
• Philosophy 368 First Course in Symbolic Logic (3)
• Philosophy 375 Introduction to the Philosophy of Language (3)
• Philosophy 380 Analytic Philosophy (3)
• Philosophy 410 Ethical Theory (3)
• Philosophy 420 Metaphysics (3)
• Philosophy 430 Epistemology (3)
• Philosophy 440 Philosophy of Mind (3)
• Philosophy 455 Seminar in Values (3)
  

Students interested in pursuing admission to law school are advised (a) to contact the department's Professional Careers advisor as early as possible, (b) to consider Major in Philosophy, Concentration in Moral, Legal, and Social Philosophy for the Professions, and (c) alternatively, to include in their major program as many as possible of the following:

• Philosophy 345 Social and Political Philosophy (3)
• Philosophy 355 Philosophy of Law (3)
• Philosophy 368 First Course in Symbolic Logic (3)
• Philosophy 405 Advanced Topics in Applied Legal Reasoning (3)
• Philosophy 410 Ethical Theory (3)
• Philosophy 455 Seminar in Values (3)
• Philosophy 493 Senior Internship in Ethics and Society (3)