Campuses:
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Duluth Campus
Philosophy B.A.Philosophy
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
This program familiarizes students with the broad range of foundational theories that arose in the history of philosophy and helps students develop problem-solving skills using critical thinking. Beginning courses provide a comprehensive introduction to the methods and procedures of analytical reasoning by examining issues concerning logic, the nature of knowledge and reality, the existence of freedom, and the character of right and wrong. Advanced courses focus on special historical periods (e.g., Greek philosophy, early modern philosophy) and specific problem areas (e.g., philosophy of psychology, medical ethics, philosophy of language).
Principles that emerge from the study of philosophy concern basic theories and concepts, and the nature of reasoning as it applies to all areas of investigation within the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. As a result, studying philosophy enhances all majors and minors.
Honors Requirements: Candidates must be philosophy majors with a 3.30 GPA in the major. Students complete PHIL 5991 and write a substantial paper or significantly rewrite a paper submitted for another philosophy course. Students must notify the department head of their intent to participate in the honors program by the end of the first week of the semester of graduation and the paper must be approved by a faculty member at least 30 days before the end of the term. The paper is presented orally in a department colloquium with the approved manuscript submitted to the department head at least one week before presentation. Contact the department head for more information.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Introductory Requirement (1 cr)
Transfer students with 24 or more credits and current UMD students who change colleges to CLA are exempt from this requirement. New first-year students with 24 or more PSEO credits may request to be waived from this requirement.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community
(1.0-2.0 cr)
General Requirements
Program Requirements
1. A second field of study (either a minor or another major).
2. Majors with sub-plans must be declared through the CLA Advising & Academic Services office.
3. PHIL 3900 - Colloquium for Majors. Students attend 12 department approved philosophy lectures/discussions over a 4-year period and register for PHIL 3900 only during the semester they attend their 12th lecture; contact the department for details.
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
General
The General sub-plan emphasizes the history of philosophical thought and metaphysics and theory of knowledge.
History of Philosophy Electives (8 cr)
Students are required to take 3301 OR 3303, and at least one additional course from the list below. It is recommended that students take both 3301 and 3303, and either 3319 or 3320.
Electives (8 cr)
Alternative courses taken within the History of Philosophy Electives may apply here. (Three different philosophy elective courses may satisfy this requirement, but at least two of the courses must be at the PHIL 2xxx level or above.)
Take 3 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 1xxx
·
PHIL 2xxx
·
PHIL 3xxx
·
PHIL 4xxx
·
PHIL 5997 - Intern Teaching Assistantship
(2.0 cr)
·
FORS 2025 - HIST 2025 History in Greece
(3.0 cr)
Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr)
The advanced writing requirement may be satisfied with one additional PHIL 3xxx-4xxx course.
Take one of the following:
WRIT 31xx or PHIL 3xxx-4xxx
Applied Ethics
This emphasis familiarizes students with major ethical theories and their applications in a number of fields and work situations. Beginning courses provide a framework for ethical thinking and decision making from a variety of theoretical orientations, along with introductory applications to social problems. Advanced courses apply this thinking to complex issues generated within specific fields such as medicine, technology, and the environment.
Principles that emerge from the study of applied ethics can complement a variety of majors and minors, as well as enhance students' moral education and theoretical literacy for handling ethical problems that may emerge in a variety of careers and leadership roles in law, politics, and service organizations.
Students choose upper division electives from other disciplines to shape the major to their specific interests and postbaccalaureate plans.
Upper Division Application Areas (7 cr)
Take 2 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PHIL 3025 - Philosophy of Race and Racism
[RACE JUST]
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3222 - Medical Ethics
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3231 - Law and Punishment
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3242 - Values and Technology
[LE CAT8, HUMANITIES]
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3325 - Environmental Ethics
[HUMANITIES, SUSTAIN]
(4.0 cr)
·
FORS 2025 - HIST 2025 History in Greece
(3.0 cr)
Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr)
The advanced writing requirement may be satisfied with one additional PHIL 3xxx-4xxx course.
Take one of the following:
WRIT 31xx or PHIL 3xxx-4xxx
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Credits: | 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 1001/1101 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 1018/1118 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FORS 2025/HIST 2025 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Summer Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 1001/1101 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 1018/1118 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FORS 2025/HIST 2025 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Summer Even Year |