Major & Minor Requirements

Philosophy Major checklist (pdf)

The following requirements apply to all philosophy majors, except where noted. In addition to our regular major, we offer three specialized "tracks": a Philosophy Research track, a Law and Policy track, and a Philosophy of Science track.

Majors are declared online via WebSTAC.

General policies
The following policies apply to all philosophy students (majors and minors):

• Courses that count towards the major or minor may not be taken pass/fail.
• Majors and minors should enroll in courses using the L30 (Philosophy) course number.
• Courses offered by departments other than philosophy do not count towards the major or minor, absent approval from the undergraduate director. (In the course listings, these are courses whose "Course Type" is "Ident," as opposed to those courses whose course type is "Home"; only the latter automatically count towards the philosophy major or minor.)
• Summer courses do not count towards the major or minor, absent approval from the undergraduate director.
• The College of Arts and Sciences places restrictions on "double counting" courses toward more than one major or minor program; refer to the current Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Bulletin for more information.

Students who spend one semester in a study abroad program may receive up to 6 units towards the major or 3 units toward the minor for philosophy courses taken in an approved philosophy program, and students who spend a full year in a study abroad program may receive up to 9 units towards the major or 6 units toward the minor. Refer to the Study Abroad page for more details.

Writing Intensive Course

All students in Arts & Sciences are required to take a Writing Intensive course. Majors are encouraged to fulfill their Writing Intensive requirement by taking Philosophy 390 (which is offered every Fall semester) or a regular philosophy offering that is specially designated as “Writing Intensive.” These courses are typically taken in the junior year and are limited to 15 students. A philosophy major who does not take a philosophy writing intensive seminar must take a fourth core course, in any of the three core areas.

Philosophy 390: Philosophical Writing

This seminar is the "Writing Intensive" course in Philosophy. It will have a different topic of central philosophical importance each semester. Significant attention will also be devoted to conceiving, researching, writing, revising, critiquing, and presenting philosophical essays. This seminar is also designed to be a small, specialized seminar for philosophy majors (and others with a strong interest in philosophy). This course will have a cap of 15 students, and a requirement that students write and then revise at least three papers. Typically taken in the junior year. Priority will be given to philosophy majors and minors who have not yet completed their Writing Intensive requirement.

Capstone Experience

All Philosophy majors are required to complete a Capstone Experience, either by taking Philosophy 3991 (which is offered every Spring semester) or by writing an Honors Thesis. (Students who write an Honors Thesis enroll in Philosophy 499.) To qualify for doing an honors thesis, students must have, at the end of the junior year, at least a 3.65 GPA in the major, a 3.65 GPA in advanced philosophy courses, and a 3.65 overall GPA. Alternatively, majors sign up for Phil 3991 (a three-credit course).

Philosophy 3991: Philosophy Capstone Course

This course will focus either on classic writings from the past century or on contemporary writings that address a major philosophical concern, such as "The Meaning of Life" or "The Concept of Self". In either case, the course will draw together a variety of philosophical specializations. Must be taken by all philosophy majors who are not writing an honors project. Prerequisite: Senior standing, major in philosophy; preference given to those majors not pursuing Honors.

The Philosophy Research Track is especially recommended for students who plan to pursue graduate studies and an advanced degree in philosophy - a must for anyone interested in a career as a university or college philosophy teacher. It will give the student a broad background in philosophy, which is a competitive advantage when applying to graduate programs in the field.

Philosophy Research major checklist (pdf)

The Law and Policy track is especially recommended for students who intend to pursue a career in law or public policy. The track involves taking certain specific courses for the major, and possibly a few extra courses, that will provide the student with additional preparation and a competitive edge when applying to law school, post-graduate programs in public policy, and related jobs.

 Law and Policy major checklist (pdf) 

The Philosophy of Science track is available only as a second major in combination with work in one or more of the sciences. It is intended for those students with a scientific background who have an interest in pursuing philosophical issues relating to the natural and physical sciences.

 Philosophy of Science major checklist (pdf) 

The following requirements apply to all philosophy minors, except where noted. Minors are declared online via WebSTAC.

Philosophy Minor checklist (pdf)

Philosophy of Science Minor Checklist (PDF)

Each fall semester the Department sponsors the Helen Stenner Memorial Essay Prize Competition, the winner of which receives a monetary prize. The competition is open to all undergraduate majors in the Department and is separate from the Stenner competition for graduate students. A notice advertising each year's prize competition is posted several months prior to the deadline for submission of papers.

Drs. Chaman and Adarsh Luthra established the Nishi Luthra Prize in Philosophy in memory of their daughter, Nishi, who was an undergraduate major in philosophy. This prize is awarded to an outstanding graduating philosophy major, determined by the department.