Standard Major

The standard philosophy major is the most flexible version of the major, allowing you the most freedom to follow your interests. If you don’t know which, if any, concentration is best for you, then simply major in philosophy without a concentration.

Core Requirements

The philosophy major’s core curriculum is six 3-credit classes, for a total of 18 credits. Satisfying these core requirements is a good way to start making progress toward the major, as every version of the major requires these core classes.

History of Philosophy

At least two courses, one selected from each group:

PHIL 231 - Greek Philosophy or
PHIL 232 - Medieval Philosophy

PHIL 252 - 17th- and 18th-Century European Philosophy or
PHIL 253 - Kant and his Successors

Metaphysics & Epistemology

At least one course selected from:

PHIL 313 - Philosophy of Science
PHIL 335 - Philosophy of Language 
PHIL 345 - Philosophy of Mind 
PHIL 350 - Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 360 - Feminist Metaphysics 
PHIL 375 - Metaphysics 
PHIL 415 - Advanced Topics in Metaphysics 
PHIL 416 - Adv Topics in Epistemology for Ethics & Law

Value Theory

At least one course selected from the following:

PHIL 215 - Right and Wrong in the Contemporary World 
PHIL 303 - Ethics 
PHIL 305 - Social and Political Philosophy 
PHIL 310 - Philosophy of Law 
PHIL 403 - Advanced Topics in Value Theory
PHIL 404 - Adv Topics in Value Theory for Ethics & Law

Note: For the standard major with no concentrations, PHIL 304 (Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art) also can satisfy the Value Theory Requirement.

Logic Course

One course selected from the following:

PHIL 210 - Critical Thinking or
PHIL 301 - Symbolic Logic or
CSCI 243 - Discrete Structures of Computer Science or 
MATH 214 - Foundations of Mathematics

Note: PHIL 210 is less recommended for those who plan to pursue graduate study in philosophy. If CSCI 243 or MATH 214 is used to satisfy the Logic requirement, then PHIL 301 cannot be counted toward the required credit hours for the major.

Core Writing Requirement

At least one senior seminar. Since they are special topic courses, the same course number, e.g., PHIL 403, can be taken more than once, provided that the topic of the course is different. Eligible seminars are:

PHIL 403 - Advanced Topics in Value Theory 
PHIL 404 - Adv Topics in Value Theory for Ethics & Law 
PHIL 415 - Advanced Topics in Metaphysics 
PHIL 416 - Adv Topics in Epistemology for Ethics & Law 
PHIL 422 - Great Philosophers 
PHIL 431 - Advanced Seminar in Philosophy 
PHIL 432 - Advanced Seminar in Philosophy

Note: The following courses do not count as senior seminars or contribute to the Core Writing Requirement: Advanced Logic (PHIL 460), Independent Studies (PHIL 441, 442), or Honors Research (PHIL 495, 496).

Additional Courses

In addition to the 18 credits in the core curriculum, the standard major requires an additional 12 credits, broken down as follows.

Interdisciplinary Application

At least one course selected from:

PHIL 220 - Philosophy of Race: Identity, Racism, and Justice 
PHIL 304 - Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art 
PHIL 305 - Social and Political Philosophy 
PHIL 308 - Issues in Environmental Ethics 
PHIL 310 - Philosophy of Law 
PHIL 311 - Philosophy of Religion 
PHIL 313 - Philosophy of Science
PHIL 315 - Biomedical Ethics 
PHIL 325 - Neuroscience and Ethics 
PHIL 330 - Ethics and Data Science 
PHIL 345 - Philosophy of Mind 

Philosophy Electives

Any two PHIL courses of at least three credits, including honors research and independent studies, that are not being used to satisfy any other requirements on the major.

Additional Writing Requirement

A second senior seminar. Eligible seminars are:

PHIL 403 - Advanced Topics in Value Theory 
PHIL 404 - Adv Topics in Value Theory for Ethics & Law
PHIL 415 - Advanced Topics in Metaphysics
PHIL 416 - Adv Topics in Epistemology for Ethics & Law
PHIL 422 - Great Philosophers
PHIL 431 - Advanced Seminar in Philosophy
PHIL 432 - Advanced Seminar in Philosophy

Note: The following courses do not count as senior seminars or contribute to the Additional Standard Writing Requirement: Advanced Logic (PHIL 460), Independent Studies (PHIL 441, 442), or Honors Research (PHIL 495, 496).