Oct 03, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Philosophy and Religion, B.A.; Major in Philosophy


Program Description


The major in philosophy empowers students to analyze diverse worldviews and value systems. In a world that is increasingly pluralistic, ideologically driven and globally connected, skills in critical thinking and cross-cultural understanding are more important than ever. Our students apply this degree to a wide variety of career fields.

Students choose from two concentrations: general philosophy and interdisciplinary philosophy. The interdisciplinary concentration allows students to count relevant courses in another field toward the major and is a particularly good fit for students choosing philosophy as a second major.

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree Requirements Credit Hours
General Education  1 41
Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 2 0-14
Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) 3
University electives 26-43
Major requirements (listed below)

Total

33-36

120

Footnotes


1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some requirements may be fulfilled by courses within the major.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of World Languages and Cultures’​ placement test.

Core Requirements: 6 Credit Hours


All students must take the following courses.

Major Requirements Total: 12 Credit Hours


Total: 18 Credit Hours


Concentrations


Concentration in General Philosophy


In addition to the Core Requirements (6 credit hours) and Major Requirements (12 credit hours) listed above, students choosing the concentration in General Philosophy must take the following:

Choose one History of Philosophy course: 3 Credit Hours


Depending on the manner in which they are taught, the following topics classes may be counted toward the history requirement if they are approved by petition to the academic unit head: PHIL 390 PHIL 391  and PHIL 460 .

Choose one Metaphysics/Epistemology course: 3 Credit Hours


Depending on the manner in which they are taught, the following topics classes may be counted toward the metaphysics/epistemology requirement if they are approved by petition to the academic unit head: PHIL 390  and PHIL 391 .

Philosophy electives (six credits at the 300 level or above): 9 Credit Hours


Neither PHIL 120  nor PHIL 150  can be used as an elective.

Philosophy Major with General Philosophy Concentration Total: 33 Credit Hours


Concentration in Interdisciplinary Philosophy


In addition to the Core Requirements (6 credit hours) and Major Requirements (12 credit hours) listed above, students choosing the concentration in Interdisciplinary Philosophy must take the following:

Choose one of the following Metaphysics/Epistemology courses: 3 Credit Hours


Depending on the manner in which they are taught, the following topics classes may be counted toward the metaphysics/epistemology requirement if they are approved by petition to the academic unit head: PHIL 390  and PHIL 391 .

Philosophy electives (three credits at the 300 level or above): 6 Credit Hours


Neither PHIL 120  nor PHIL 150  can be used as an elective.

Cognate of three courses from one or more disciplinary areas outside of philosophy: 9 Credit Hours


Philosophy Major with Interdisciplinary Philosophy Concentration Total: 36 Credit Hours


Recommended Schedule for Philosophy Majors


The following outline is a sample four-year program. The actual courses and sequence a student takes may vary.

First Year


  • Introductory courses in major Credits: 6.00
  • B.A. degree requirements Credits: 6.00-8.00
  • General Education  courses Credits: 6.00-18.00 1

First Year Total: 30 Credit Hours


Second Year


  • Required courses in major Credits: 6.00
  • B.A. degree requirements or electives Credits: 6.00
  • General Education  courses Credits: 18.00

Second Year Total: 30 Credit Hours


Third Year


  • Requirements and electives in philosophy or religion Credits: 12.00
  • Electives (may be outside of major) Credits: 12.00
  • General Education  courses Credits: 6.00

Third Year Total: 30 Credit Hours


Fourth Year


  • Three Philosophy courses Credits: 9.00
  • B.A. degree requirements / university electives Credits: 21.00

Fourth Year Total: 30 Credit Hours


Footnote


1 Students should adjust General Education  and foreign language load to achieve 30 hours total.

Program Total: 120 Credit Hours