Philosophy B.A.

View information for the Department of Philosophy and Modern Languages , including Learning Objectives for the department and its programs.

View the degree program Roadmap, which provide recommended advising maps to complete the degree program. Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

Program Learning Outcomes

Improve logical thinking and argumentation;
Improve critical ability to read and interpret primary texts, and to analyze and write effectively about philosophical problems; and,
Cultivate knowledge of the history of philosophy.

Requirements

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.

A student must comply with all University regulations and satisfy the following requirements:

Units and Residency (minimum of 120 units: 40 units of upper division coursework and 30 semester units at Stanislaus State. At least 24 of these 30 units must be earned in upper-division courses, at least 12 must be in the major, and at least 9 must be applicable to General Education-Breadth requirements)
Grade Point Average (minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better)
General Education (minimum of 49 units)
Upper Division Writing Proficiency (minimum of 3 units)
- Writing Proficiency (WP) Course (may double count in the major)
United States Constitution and California State and Local Government (minimum of 3 units)
Multicultural Requirement (minimum of 3 units) (may double count with General Education requirements or in the major)

Subsequently all students must submit an application for graduation and receive approval from the major advisor, department chair, and Director of Academic Advising. For more information see the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major:

(9 units)

PHIL 2100 - Logic 3 unit(s)
PHIL 2200 - Ancient Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 2230 - Modern Philosophy 3 unit(s)

3. Complete the major of at least 24 upper-division units (including no more than two GE UD-C courses)

The Major

Track 1, General

(24 units, not more than two GE UD-C courses)

1. Complete the following required courses:

(21 units)

PHIL 3000 - Philosophical Reading and Analysis 3 unit(s)
PHIL 3400 - Ethics (WP) 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4200 - Advanced Study in History of Philosophy (WP) 3 unit(s)

2. Complete one “History of Philosophy” course from the following list:

(3 units)

PHIL 3010 - Advanced Introduction to Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 3050 - Existentialism 3 unit(s) (GE UD-C)
PHIL 3100 - Introduction to Continental Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4200 - Advanced Study in History of Philosophy (WP) 3 unit(s) (second section)

3. Complete two “Value Theory” courses from the following list:

(6 units)

PHIL 4000 - Philosophy Through Literature 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4050 - Environmental Ethics 3 unit(s) (GE UD-C)
PHIL 4430 - Bioethics 3 unit(s) (GE UD-C)
PHIL 4450 - Eastern Philosophy 3 unit(s) (GE UD-C)
PHIL 4500 - Philosophy of Art (WP) 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4600 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4800 - Nature Revisited 3 unit(s)

4. Complete two “Philosophical Issues” courses from the following list:

(6 units)

PHIL 3300 - Belief and Knowledge 3 unit(s)
PHIL 3500 - Philosophy of Mind (WP) 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4150 - Cognitive Phenomenology 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4300 - Philosophy of Language 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4700 - Contemporary Latin American Political Philosophy 3 unit(s)
PHIL 4960 - Senior Seminar 3 unit(s)

Track 2, Graduate School

(30 units, no more than one GE UD-C course)

Complete the above requirements (but with no more than one GE UD-C course), along with the following two courses (6 units).

PHIL 4200 PHIL 4200 - Advanced Study in History of Philosophy (WP)
Any other upper-division non-GE course from the above list, 3 units

4. Senior Paper Requirement:

In addition to completing course requirements for the BA degree, each student must submit a capstone paper that conforms to established department criteria. Guidelines and criteria are available from the department chair.

5. Honors in the Major:

(+3 units)

Senior Thesis satisfies Senior Paper requirement

PHIL 4990 - Senior Thesis 1-3 unit(s)