COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at San José State University is a 120-unit degree program designed to develop students’ abilities in critical thinking, logical reasoning, and philosophical analysis through the study of major philosophical traditions and contemporary issues. The program includes 25 units of Core Lower Division General Education, with some requirements potentially satisfied through major coursework, along with 6 units of American Institutions requirements. Students also complete 9 units of Upper Division General Education, 2 units of Physical Education, and a 3-unit Written Communication requirement (GWAR/WID), typically satisfied by ENGL 100W. In addition, students must complete a 3-unit Lower Division Humanities and the Arts requirement and 2–4 units of Upper Division Humanities and the Arts coursework outside their major.The major itself consists of 33 units and is structured to build foundational and advanced philosophical skills. Students begin with logic and reasoning courses such as PHIL 9, PHIL 57, or PHIL 157, which develop formal reasoning and analytical skills essential for philosophical inquiry. They then complete 6 units in the history of philosophy by studying major historical periods, such as Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, or Early Modern philosophy, providing a grounding in the development of philosophical thought over time. Students also take a 3-unit advanced seminar course, choosing from topics such as philosophical classics, philosophy of law, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, or logic, allowing for in-depth exploration of specialized areas.In addition, students complete 21 units of philosophy electives, selecting from a wide range of upper-division courses to deepen their understanding of specific philosophical fields or thinkers. The program also includes substantial university elective space, totaling 35–37 units, which allows students to pursue interdisciplinary interests or complementary fields of study. At least 4 of these elective units must be upper-division courses. Overall, the philosophy degree provides a flexible yet rigorous academic structure that emphasizes analytical reasoning, argumentative writing, and the exploration of fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, and human values, preparing students for graduate study or careers in fields such as law, education, policy, and research.