PHILO-BA - Philosophy (BA)
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Program Overview
The Philosophy undergraduate program’s mission is to train students to think clearly and critically about the deepest and broadest questions concerning the fundamental structure of reality and our place in it including how we should act in our lives. With philosophy you gain the tools needed to make arguments and exercise sound judgment about the most fundamental concerns of human life. The program introduces students to the best contemporary theories, and their historical roots, across philosophy including metaphysics and the philosophy of science (the study of the fundamental structure of reality), epistemology (theories of how we know about the world), ethics and political philosophy (how we should act and how society should be organized), and logic (what is correct reasoning). Courses in the major equip students with core skills in critical reading, analytical thinking, sound argumentation, and the clear, well-organized expression of ideas.
Philosophy is an excellent major for those planning a career in law, medicine, business, or the non-profit sector. It provides analytical skills and a breadth of perspective helpful to those called upon to make decisions about their conduct and the welfare of others. Philosophy majors have an excellent admission record to professional and graduate schools.
Instead of the standard program of the philosophy major, students can pursue two alternative, optional subplans:
History and Philosophy of Science
Philosophy and Literature
The standard program and the two subplans have the same overall structure. An introductory course in philosophy is followed by our Writing-in-the-Major (WIM) course, PHIL 80: “Mind, Matter, Meaning”. We then require a range of courses that give students breadth in different areas of philosophy. The subplans require additional depth in their relevant areas. Students then have space for elective courses that allow them to gain either greater breadth or depth across philosophy. Finally, the capstone for the major involves taking one of our special capstone undergraduate seminars.
The overall unit requirements for the philosophy major have been kept low to allow students to double major or do a minor in some other field.
For those interested in interdisciplinary work in philosophy and religious studies, there is a separate major program (not a subplan of the Philosophy major) that allows students to receive a BA degree with the title “Philosophy and Religious Studies”.
Preparing for the Major
To declare a major, a student should meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
The Writing in the Major (WIM) course for the Philosophy major, PHIL 80: "Mind, Matter, and Meaning", should be taken as soon as possible after the first introductory course in philosophy since it prepares students for the more advanced philosophy courses required for achieving breadth in the discipline.
- 1221471
Must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
- 2170441
- 1222421
- 1222441
- 1222651
More advanced logic courses may also count for this requirement by petition.
- 1221561
- 1221581
- 2113831
All courses taken to satisfy the breadth in the discipline requirement must be taken for a minimum of 3 units and completed with a grade of C- or higher.
The Writing in the Major (WIM) course for the Philosophy major, PHIL 80: "Mind, Matter, and Meaning", should be taken as soon as possible after the first introductory course in philosophy since it prepares students for the more advanced philosophy courses required for achieving breadth in the discipline.
- 1221471
The capstone experience aims to foster the integration of capacities, knowledge, and skills acquired in the student’s coursework for the major and to provide students with an opportunity to synthesize their undergraduate educational careers and to demonstrate their capacity for independent and creative philosophical work.
- 1223381
To be taken Spring Quarter of Junior year.
- 1223351
To be taken Autumn and/or Winter quarter of Senior year.
The length of the honors thesis may vary considerable depending on the problem and the approach; usually it falls somewhere between 7,500 and 12,500 words. This essay may use work from previous seminars and courses as a starting point, but it cannot be the same essay that has been used, or is being used, in some other class or seminar. It must be a substantially new and different essay reflecting work in the tutorial(s).
A completed essay draft is submitted to the advisor at the end of Winter quarter of Senior year. Any further revisions must be finished by the fifth whole week of Spring quarter, when three copies of the essay are to be given to the Philosophy and Religious Studies Undergraduate Student Services Officer. The honors thesis is graded by the advisor together with a second reader chosen by the advisor in consultation with the student. The student must also pass an oral thesis defense at a meeting with the advisor and second reader. The essay must receive a grade of A- or better for the student to receive honors.
The Subplan in the History and Philosophy of Science enables students to combine interests in science, history, and philosophy. This field of study is declared on Axess and is printed on the transcript.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 61 units for this subplan. PHIL 196-199 do not count towards this unit requirement and no more than ten units with grades of Satisfactory (S) or Credit (CR) may count towards the 61-unit requirement.
A maximum of two transfer courses for a combined maximum of 10 units can be used for the subplan. In general, transfer courses cannot be used as substitutes for required courses.
For further information about the subplan, contact the History and Philosophy of Science Advisor.
The Writing in the Major (WIM) course for the Philosophy major, PHIL 80: "Mind, Matter, and Meaning", should be taken as soon as possible after the first introductory course in philosophy since it prepares students for the more advanced philosophy courses required for achieving breadth in the discipline.
- 1221471
Must be completed with a letter grade.
- 2170441
- 1222421
- 1222441
- 1222651
Must be completed with a letter grade. More advanced logic courses may also count for this requirement by petition.
- 2273231
Must be completed with a letter grade.
For 12 units.
To be agreed on with the History and Philosophy of Science Advisor
The capstone experience aims to foster the integration of capacities, knowledge, and skills acquired in the student’s coursework for the major and to provide students with an opportunity to synthesize their undergraduate educational careers and to demonstrate their capacity for independent and creative philosophical work.
The subplan in Philosophy and Literary Thought enables students to combine their interests in philosophy and literary studies. This field of study is declared on Axess and is printed on the transcript.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 65 units for this subplan. PHIL 196-199 do not count towards this unit requirement. 2. No more than ten units with grades of Satisfactory (S) or Credit (CR) can be used to satisfy the major requirements.
A maximum of 15 transfer units may be counted toward the major, at most 10 of which may substitute for courses within Philosophy. Transfer credits may not substitute for PHIL 80: "Mind, Matter, and Meaning" or PHIL 81: "Philosophy and Literature", and are approved as substitutes for required courses only in exceptional cases.
Students who have taken SLE may count 2 units of SLE towards the depth in discipline elective units. These units do not count for the introductory course requirement.
For further information about the subplan, contact the Philosophy and Literary Thought Advisor.
The Writing in the Major (WIM) course for the Philosophy major, PHIL 80: "Mind, Matter, and Meaning", should be taken as soon as possible after the first introductory course in philosophy since it prepares students for the more advanced philosophy courses required for achieving breadth in the discipline.
- 1221471
Must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
- 2170441
- 1222421
- 1222441
- 1222651
Must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
- 1221561
- 1221581
Must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
Must be completed with grade of C- or higher.
Must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
- 2113831
Must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
- 2040343
This course should be taken as early as possible in the student’s career, generally in the sophomore year.
This normally involves meeting the language proficiency requirements of the relevant literature program. Units devoted to meeting language requirements do not count towards the unit requirements of the subplan.
The philosophy capstone experience aims to foster the integration of capacities, knowledge, and skills acquired in the student’s coursework for the major and to provide students with an opportunity to synthesize their undergraduate educational careers and to demonstrate their capacity for independent and creative philosophical work.