Philosophy, B.A.

The Philosophy major provides its students with the opportunity to engage in critical as well as constructive dialogue with the greatest thinkers in both the Eastern and Western traditions. This includes ideas and values, from ancient through contemporary works, which continue to influence and challenge our thinking in all areas of human thought and action. While learning how to read such works philosophically, both class discussions and writing assignments will assist the student in learning how to think, speak, and write philosophically. These skills will cultivate the power to logically analyze and holistically integrate concepts and theories, as well as lay the foundations for a lifetime of learning in that students will learn how to learn for themselves. A degree in philosophy will provide one of the best preparations both for an academic career, as well as for many other professions, such as law, medicine, government and education.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Requirements for the Major (42 Units)

Philosophy majors must earn a minimum grade of “C-” in all courses taken to fulfill the major requirements; and must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 in the major.

Lower Division

PHIL 100 - Logic Units: 3
PHIL 210 - Ancient Philosophy Units: 3
PHIL 211 - Modern Philosophy Units: 3

Upper Division

PHIL 303 - Theories of Ethics Units: 3
PHIL 371 - Contemporary Social and Political Philosophy Units: 3
PHIL 420 - Contemporary Epistemology and Metaphysics Units: 3
PHIL 425 - Philosophy of Science Units: 3
PHIL 485 - Seminar in Philosophy Units: 3

Electives

Complete 18 units. Of the 18 units, at least 12 units must be from Group B.

Group A

PHIL 301 - Reflections on the Arts Units: 3
PHIL 302 - Environmental Ethics Units: 3
PHIL 304 - Philosophy of Sex and Love Units: 3
PHIL 306 - Race, Racism and Philosophy Units: 3
PHIL 307 - Philosophy of Law Units: 3
PHIL 309B - Perspectives: Humanities/Science/ Social Science Units: 3
PHIL 485 - Seminar in Philosophy Units: 3 (in addition to required seminar)

Group B

PHIL 349 - Latin American Philosophy Units: 3
PHIL 355 - Existentialism Units: 3
PHIL 415 - Symbolic Logic Units: 3
PHIL 345 - Philosophies of China Units: 3
PHIL 346 - Philosophies of India Units: 3

Program Learning Outcomes

Locate and employ discipline-relevant information effectively and ethically.
Effectively identity and explain philosophical arguments and positions.
Critically examine arguments and positions by effectively using philosophical methods and analysis.
Employ the methods of conceptual and philosophical analysis to moral and/or political issues of power and privilege and proposed methods for crating inclusive, racially just, and equitable communities.
Employ the methods of conceptual and philosophical analysis to issues of the moral relationship between humans and the natural environment.