These requirements are only available to students who will graduate by spring 2021. These students have the option of grading according to the old requirements or the new requirements.
Four-and-one-half (4.5) units of philosophy, including the following courses:
One-and-a-half (1.5) units of core-area courses, one course from each of the three core areas (ethics, epistemology, metaphysics) one of which must be chosen from the following advanced seminars):
One-and-a-half (1.5) units of electives of the student's choice.
PHIL 100 is normally the first course majors take, but it is not mandatory. The following courses should normally be taken as early as possible:
The following advanced seminars should normally begin no earlier than the second semester of the junior year:
Students who expect to do graduate work in philosophy are strongly encouraged to take PHIL 201.
There are three core areas: ethics, epistemology
The Senior Capstone consists of a comprehensive essay examination with questions drawn from ancient philosophy, modern philosophy and one of the core-area advanced seminars of the student's choice.
Central to the Honors Program is a series of two related courses culminating in a thesis at the end of the senior year. The first, PHIL 497, enables the student to pursue the search for and development of a suitable topic. By the second semester of the senior year, the student should have the background necessary for writing an honors thesis in PHIL 498. Students interested in the Honors Program should submit a written request to the chair of the department before the second semester of their junior year.
In the second semester of their junior year, honors candidates submit a thesis proposal for approval. Upon departmental approval, honors candidates will register for two (.25) unit courses to be taken
Five (5) units of philosophy, including the following courses:
All three core-area course seminars, one-and-a-half (1.5) units:
Two units (2) of electives of the student's choice, of which two must be a 200-level course or higher.
PHIL 497 and 498 Senior Honors
Upon completion of the thesis, the honors candidate will stand for an oral examination on the thesis, conducted by an outside examiner and the candidate's thesis advisor, in the presence of the entire department. The candidate must meet the requirements of the College and of the Humanities Division for admission to and retention in the Honors Program.
The minor in philosophy consists of two and one half (2.5) units of work in the department, including the following courses: