Philosophy, BA

Philosophy is an adventure of the mind. Philosophy majors read and discuss ideas generated by some of the greatest thinkers in history, putting these ideas in conversation with each other and with contemporary concerns. The Department of Philosophy also offers Philosophy students a look at theoretical and practical problems from a philosophical perspective.

Because the study of philosophy develops a student’s ability to analyze ideas and arguments, to think critically, and to write well, a major in philosophy provides skills that are valued by many kinds of employers and serve as appropriate pre-professional preparation for various fields, including law, medicine, psychology and theology. Additionally, the major provides preparation for students interested in obtaining a background for graduate work in philosophy.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3A, 3B, 4, UD 3, or UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 units (see Writing in the Disciplines)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division General Education: 22 (6 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

American Institutions/ US123 Requirements: 6 (Note: may be satisfied by GE coursework)

Upper Division General Education: 0 (9 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

Physical Education: 2

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR): 3

Lower Division Humanities & the Arts College Requirement: 3

Upper Division Humanities & the Arts College Requirement: 2-4

Major Requirements: 33

University Electives: 47-49

Total: 120

2. Lower Division College of Humanities & the Arts Requirement (3 units):

3. Upper Division College of Humanities & the Arts Requirement (2-4 units):

Complete a course offered by the College of Humanities & the Arts in a discipline other than your major.

4. Major Requirements (33 units)

Logic and Reasoning (3 units)

Complete at least one of the following three courses in logic/reasoning.

PHIL 9 - Mathematics and Logic for General Education 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4)
PHIL 57 - Logic and Critical Reasoning 3 unit(s) (GE Area 1B / Formerly Area A3)
PHIL 157 - Intermediate Logic & Language Analysis 3 unit(s) (PHIL 157 requires permission from advisor)

History of Philosophy (6 units)

Complete surveys of at least two periods in the history of philosophy. Additional courses from this list may be taken as electives.

PHIL 70A - Ancient Philosophy 3 unit(s) (GE Area 3B / Formerly Area C2)
PHIL 70B - Early Modern Philosophy 3 unit(s) (GE Area 3B / Formerly Area C2)
PHIL 70E - Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy 3 unit(s)

Seminar Course (3 units)

Complete One Seminar Course From:

PHIL 190 - Seminar in Philosophical Classics 3 unit(s)
PHIL 195 - Seminar in Philosophy of Law 3 unit(s)
PHIL 290 - Advanced Seminar in a Selected Philosopher or Tradition 3 unit(s) (GWAR)
PHIL 291 - Advanced Seminar in Epistemology and Metaphysics 3 unit(s) (GWAR)
PHIL 292 - Advanced Seminar in Ethics or Aesthetics 3 unit(s)
PHIL 293 - Advanced Seminar in Logical Theory 3 unit(s)

Philosophy Electives (21 units)

Complete seven additional Philosophy courses. Eligible courses for this requirement include all upper division courses, as well as 70A, 70B, 70C, 70D, 70E, and/or UD GE Philosophy courses.

Students may substitute a Graduate Level Philosophy course for one of the seven upper division Philosophy courses with permission from the advisor.

5. University Electives (47-49 units)

At least 4 units must be Upper Division

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