The major consists of 30 hours (10 three-credit courses) in philosophy, including PHIL 101 (Introduction to Philosophy), PHIL 201 (Introduction to Logic), PHIL 301 (Ancient Philosophy), PHIL 302 (Modern Philosophy), and six other elective philosophy courses to be determined in consultation with the department’s undergraduate advisor. However, a student may request permission to take up to six hours (two three-credit courses) of the required 18 hours of philosophy electives in another field or other fields. Such a request should be supported by considerations showing how the substitution(s) would strengthen the student’s major in philosophy. The advisor must approve the substitution(s) in advance.
Major required courses:
| PHIL 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Logic | 3 |
| PHIL 301 | Ancient Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 302 | Modern Philosophy | 3 |
| Six philosophy electives chosen in consultation with advisor. With permission of advisor, up to 6 hours may be taken outside the department. Only 3 units are permitted to be from a University Seminar. Please contact the department for a current list of University Seminars that may be taken for credit towards the Philosophy major. | 18 | |
| Total Units | 30 | |
Concentration Requirements
Students may elect to pursue one of the following Philosophy concentrations, satisfied as part of the major elective requirements. They may choose any three of the courses listed in the relevant Course List. A chosen concentration will print on the student transcript.
Conceptual Foundations of Medicine
| PHIL 204 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| PHIL 305 | Ethics in Theory and Practice | 3 |
| PHIL 222 | Art & Science of Happiness | 3 |
| PHIL 338 | Afterlife | 3 |
Politics, Law, and Society
| PHIL 305 | Ethics in Theory and Practice | 3 |
| PHIL 319 | Philosophy of State Violence: War, Colonization, Punishment, and Immigration | 3 |
| PHIL 334 | Political and Social Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 210 | The Politics of Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| PHIL 250 | Responsible AI: Cultivating a Just and Sustainable Socio-technical Future through Data Citizenship | 3 |
| PHIL 280 | AI & the Human Mind: Cognition, Augmentation & Value | 3 |
| PHIL 309 | Climate Justice | 3 |
| PHIL 317 | War and Morality | 3 |
| PHIL 318 | People and Planet | 3 |
| PHIL 322 | Decolonization | 3 |
| PHIL 328 | Moral & Social Responsibility | 3 |
| PHIL 331 | Education, Freedom, and Equality | 3 |
| PHIL 336 | Military Ethics, the Military Profession, and International Law | 3 |
| PHIL 384 | Ethics and Public Policy |
Minds, Brains, and Machines
| PHIL 366 | Brain, Mind and Consciousness: The Science and Philosophy of Mind | 3 |
| PHIL 280 | AI & the Human Mind: Cognition, Augmentation & Value | 3 |
| PHIL 210 | The Politics of Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| PHIL 250 | Responsible AI: Cultivating a Just and Sustainable Socio-technical Future through Data Citizenship | 3 |
| PHIL 203 | Revolutions in Science | 3 |
| PHIL 340 | Methods and Problems of Science Communication | 3 |
| PHIL 391 |
Community-Based Research on the Ethics of AI |
3 |
Departmental Honors
The department offers an honors program for students pursuing a major in philosophy. Students in this program must complete a substantial thesis, pass an oral examination on the thesis, and maintain a B average in philosophy courses. To be eligible for admission, a student should have an overall grade point average of B or better, and a grade of B or better in each philosophy course already taken. A student normally should have taken at least four, and at most seven, philosophy courses at the time of application for admission. An honors student should register for PHIL 399 (Directed Study) to do honors work. Interested students should apply for admission to the program during the first semester of junior year.
Philosophy Capstone
Students may fulfill their SAGES capstone requirement in philosophy by registering for PHIL 399 (Directed Study) after devising a suitable project in consultation with the undergraduate advisor and the supervising faculty member.