COURSE CURRICULUM

The Honors Philosophy program requires students to complete a total of 46 units and is designed for those who wish to pursue a more advanced and research-focused study of philosophy. Students enrolled in the honors program must first complete one of the three available concentrations within the philosophy major. These concentrations include the General Major Concentration, the Ethics, Politics, and Law Concentration, or the Science, Reason, and Values Concentration. Each concentration provides students with a structured set of courses that develop their understanding of philosophical theories, critical reasoning, and analytical skills. By completing one of these concentrations, students gain a strong academic foundation in philosophical thought while also exploring specialized areas based on their interests and academic goals.In addition to completing the coursework required for their chosen concentration, honors students must take an advanced seminar course worth 3 units. This seminar must be selected from the PHIL 190 or PHIL 192 series and must not be a course already used to satisfy the requirements of the student’s primary concentration. Courses in this seminar category focus on specialized philosophical topics and allow students to engage in deeper academic discussions, intensive reading, and advanced analysis of philosophical texts and arguments. These seminars encourage students to examine complex philosophical issues in greater depth while refining their skills in research, critical thinking, and academic writing.A key component of the honors program is the completion of the Honors Thesis, which carries 1 unit of credit. In the PHIL 197 Honors Thesis course, students conduct independent research on a philosophical topic of their choice under faculty supervision. This project requires students to develop a clear research question, engage with scholarly literature, construct a well-reasoned argument, and present their findings in a formal written thesis. The honors thesis experience helps students strengthen their analytical, writing, and research abilities while demonstrating their mastery of philosophical inquiry.Overall, the Honors Philosophy program provides motivated students with the opportunity to pursue deeper intellectual engagement with philosophical ideas while developing advanced research and writing skills that prepare them for graduate study or professional careers.