Philosophy Major
The philosophy major BS and a BA totals 36 credits. The BS Emphasis requires a minor in mathematics, computer science, or economics. The BA Emphases require majors to emphasize an historical epoch that correlates with the foreign language. Otherwise, majors must earn a BS or BA, according to the criteria established in the SUU General Catalog. Please see Appendix A for details of the plan of study for majors.
There are six requirements for the major:
I. Language Emphasis Requirement:
Each student is required to work with a philosophical text in the language that fulfills the BA language requirement. The BS majors must work in a formal language, math, logic, or a computer language. The major must coordinate with a philosophy faculty, and when necessary with a relevant language (or science) faculty. The major will produce a three to five page paper that demonstrates the language ability grounded in a philosophical text. This requirement will usually function as part of the Senior Seminar.
| Emphasis I | BS | Analytic | Minor in mathematics, computer science, or economics |
| Emphasis II | BA | Ancient or Medieval | Chinese, Greek, or Latin |
| Emphasis III | BA | Modern or Contemporary | Chinese, French, or German |
| Emphasis IV | BA | Topics – Ethics, Political Philosophy, Metaphysics, or Epistemology | Any Language |
II. Area Requirement
There are 24 units required to fulfill the area requirements. All philosophy majors must fulfill all areas:
| Area I | Logic | 1250, and 3200 |
| Area II | Ethics and Politics | 3500, and 3700 |
| Area III | Being and Knowledge | 3300, and 3400 |
| Area IV | History of Philosophy | 4110, and 4120 |
Each philosophy course counts in a certain area. Two courses, 3011 and 4900, fulfill variable areas. These courses designate the Area at each offering.
III. Senior Seminar Requirement:
All philosophy majors must take the Senior Seminar, PHIL 4010. The course is open to all philosophy majors, not just seniors. Prerequisite: Successful completion of one course in each area of the major. This course is offered every other year in the spring.
IV. Elective Units
There are 27 credit hours required in the core for the BA in philosophy. PHIL 1000- Intro to Philosophy is required. The remaining 6 credit hours may be selected from any other Philosophy course.
V. Grade requirement:
Only philosophy courses with letter grades count. Only courses with a grade of C- or better may count for the major. The overall GPA in philosophy courses must be at least 2.00.
VI. Residence requirement:
Some of the requirements fulfilled elsewhere may transfer to SUU and count toward the major. Such cases require the approval of the Chair. The senior seminar must be completed at SUU.