This is an archive of the 2019-2020 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, Please visit catalog.csun.edu.

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This is an archive of the 2019-2020 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2019-2020

Program: B.A., Philosophy

Double Major

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 double major is designed for students who choose to major in Philosophy as their second field of study. The program will acquaint students with the distinctive nature of philosophical activity and help them think critically about matters of fundamental philosophical concern.

Program Requirements

1. Required Courses (23-24 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 (4)
PHIL 365 Social and Political Philosophy (4)

Choose one of the following courses:

PHIL 350 Epistemology (4)
PHIL 352 Metaphysics (4)
PHIL 355 Philosophy of Mind (4)

Choose one of the following courses:

PHIL 333 American Indian Philosophy (3)
PHIL 341 Kierkegaard and Nietzsche (3)
PHIL 342 Existentialism (3)
PHIL 344 Chinese Philosophy (3)
PHIL 348 Philosophy and Feminism (3)

The following course:

PHIL 497 Senior Research Seminar (3)

2. Electives (9 units)

Choose three philosophy courses (9 units), subject to the following conditions:

  1. At least one course (3 units) must be at the 400-level (other than PHIL 497 and PHIL 499).
  2. At least one course (3 units) must be at the 300-level or higher (excluding courses otherwise counted toward the major requirements).

Total Units in the Double Major Option: 32-33

Contact

Department of Philosophy
Chair: Tim Black
Associate Chair: Kristina Meshelski
Sierra Tower (ST) 522
(818) 677-2757

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  1. Develop a critical understanding of the work of central thinkers in the Western philosophical tradition.
  2. Read and comprehend philosophical texts.
  3. 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.
  4. Defend their own philosophical positions and arguments.
  5. Write well-organized philosophical essays in which they clearly articulate philosophical positions and arguments.
  6. Write well-organized philosophical essays in which they clearly and effectively present and defend their own philosophical positions and arguments.
  7. 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.