COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy requires 36 units within the major, contributing to the total 120 units needed for graduation. The program is structured to provide students with a strong foundation in logical reasoning, the history of philosophy, and key philosophical areas such as ethics, knowledge, and metaphysics. Students begin with a lower-division course in symbolic logic, which develops critical thinking and analytical skills essential for advanced philosophical study.At the upper-division level, students complete 24 units across several core areas. The history requirement includes courses in ancient and early modern philosophy, allowing students to explore the development of philosophical thought over time. In value theory, students select courses such as ethics, feminist philosophy, moral psychology, or social and political philosophy, focusing on questions about morality, society, and human values. The metaphysics and knowledge requirement introduces topics such as the nature of reality, language, science, and belief through courses like metaphysics, theory of knowledge, and philosophy of science.Students also study modern European philosophy through courses in phenomenology or existentialism, examining influential 19th- and 20th-century thinkers and ideas. Additionally, they complete an advanced issues course, which allows deeper exploration of specialized topics in logic, philosophy history, value theory, or metaphysics.The program includes 9 units of electives, giving students flexibility to explore additional philosophy courses or, with approval, related subjects from other disciplines or study abroad programs. This flexibility allows students to tailor their studies according to their interests and career goals.Overall, the degree develops strong skills in critical thinking, reasoning, and analysis, preparing graduates for careers in fields such as law, education, public service, and business, as well as for further academic study in philosophy or related disciplines.