Program: B.A., Philosophy
Program Description
The characteristic activity of philosophy, from its beginning to the present day, has been reasoned reflection about ourselves, our world, the good life and our relations with one another. Philosophy deals with issues of fundamental human importance—the scope and limits of human knowledge, the nature of reality and truth, what it means to be a person, the relation of mind to body, the sources of value and obligation, the evaluation of social institutions and practices, and the nature of logic and correct reasoning.
The Philosophy major is designed to acquaint students with the distinctive nature of philosophical activity and to help them think critically about matters of fundamental philosophical concern.
Program Requirements
1. Required Courses (21-22 units)
PHIL 201 Ancient Philosophy (3)
PHIL 202 Modern Philosophy (3)
Choose one of the following courses:
PHIL 100 General Logic (4)
PHIL 200 Critical Reasoning (3)
PHIL 210 Reasoning in the Sciences (3)
PHIL 225 Evolutionary Reasoning (3)
PHIL 230 Introduction to Formal Logic (3)
Choose one of the following courses:
PHIL 360 Ethical Theory (3)
PHIL 365 Social and Political Philosophy (3)
Choose one of the following courses:
PHIL 350 Epistemology (3)
PHIL 352 Metaphysics (3)
PHIL 355 Philosophy of Mind (3)
Choose one of the following courses:
PHIL 333 American Indian Philosophy (3)
PHIL 343 Indian Philosophy (3)
PHIL 344 Chinese Philosophy (3)
PHIL 348 Philosophy and Feminism (3)
PHIL 353 Existentialism (3)
PHIL 354 Kierkegaard and Nietzsche (3)
The following course:
PHIL 497 Senior Research Seminar (3)
2. Electives (21-22 units)
Choose seven courses (21-22 units), subject to the following conditions:
- At least four courses (12 units) must be 400-level Philosophy courses (other than PHIL 497 and PHIL 499).
- At least two courses (6 units) must be Philosophy courses numbered 230 and higher, excluding those taken as requirements for the major.
- Up to one elective course (3-4 units) can be satisfied at the 100-level, in addition to those taken as requirements for the major.
- Up to 3 units of electives may be in closely related upper division courses outside of the department (subject to the approval of the department chair).
3. General Education (48 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.
6 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: PHIL 200 or PHIL 230 satisfies A3 Critical Thinking; and PHIL 201 satisfies C2 Humanities.
If taken, PHIL 337 satisfies upper division C2 Humanities or E Lifelong Learning; PHIL 310, PHIL 325, PHIL 330, PHIL 349, PHIL 353 or PHIL 354 satisfies upper division C2 Humanities; PHIL 305 satisfies E Lifelong Learning; PHIL 333, PHIL 343, PHIL 344 and/or PHIL 348 satisfies 3-6 units of upper division F Comparative Cultural Studies. (PHIL 349 also fulfills the Information Competence requirement.)
Total Units in the Major: 42-44
General Education Units: 42
Additional Units: 34-36
Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120
Contact
Department of Philosophy
Chair: Tim Black
Associate Chair: Kristina Meshelski
Sierra Tower (ST) 522
(818) 677-2757
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Develop a critical understanding of the work of central thinkers in the Western philosophical tradition.
- Read and comprehend philosophical texts.
- Respond critically and analytically to philosophical positions, arguments and methodologies, including positions, arguments and methodologies involved in the investigation of significant issues in epistemology, metaphysics and value theory.
- Defend their own philosophical positions and arguments.
- Write well-organized philosophical essays in which they clearly articulate philosophical positions and arguments.
- Write well-organized philosophical essays in which they clearly and effectively present and defend their own philosophical positions and arguments.
- Apply the basic concepts essential to a critical examination and evaluation of argumentative discourse, where this includes learning how to determine whether an argument is valid and whether it is sound.