Philosophy Major

Requires 30 credit hours. See the Undergraduate Catalog or the Philosophy Major Study Plan for more details or contact us via email at [email protected]

Requirements for a Major in Philosophy Beginning 2023-2024 Academic Year

The credit-hour requirements for the philosophy major remain modest at only 30. This is because we take seriously the value of electives in the student's college program and the value of exploring and discovering one's real interests. The number of required hours in philosophy is also modest because we wish to encourage students to discover the importance of relating philosophy to other fields through double majors, minors, and clusters of elective courses indicating developed proficiencies.

The previous information emphasizes the importance of the advising relationship. In order to facilitate this relationship, the philosophy major requires a study plan through which the student's work can be consciously developed and articulated. A first draft of the study plan must be completed with the advisor by the beginning of the junior year, revised each successive semester, and completed in the Capstone course.

Degree Requirements

The philosophy B.A. requires third-semester proficiency in a foreign language (201). We strongly encourage completing the fourth semester of the language (202) as well.

Major Course Requirements (18 Credits)

Students majoring in philosophy must complete a minimum of 30 hours in the department.

The following courses are required for all philosophy majors:

• PHI 103 - Logic (3 credits)
• PHI 311 - Origins of Western Thought: Ancient Philosophy (3 credits)
• PHI 313 - Reason, Experience, Morality at the Dawn of Modernity: Early Modern Philosophy (3 credits)
• PHI 410 Advanced Topics in the History of Philosophy (3 credits)

Choose one of the following courses:

• PHI 210 - Eastern Philosophy (3 credits)
• PHI 240 - Middle Eastern Philosophy (3 credits)
• PHI 400 - Wisdom of the East: Advanced Topics in Asian Philosophy (3 credits)

The following Capstone course is required for all philosophy majors:

• PHI 495 - Reality, Knowledge, and Value (Capstone) (3 credits

Elective Courses (12 Credits)

Students may choose electives from any other courses in the philosophy program course listings. At least one elective must be chosen from PHI 400, PHI 415, PHI 416, PHI 420, PHI 430, PHI 440, PHI 450, PHI 460, or PHI 470. Courses numbered PHI 380 and PHI 410 may be repeated for credit when their content varies.

Philosophy Minor

There are over 100 students currently minoring in Philosophy.

A philosophy minor requires only 18 credits of philosophy (6 courses), with at least 6 credits (2 courses) being upper-level courses; 3 of these credits (1 course) must be a 400 level course. Students may choose which Philosophy( PHIxxx) courses to take within this framework.

A student minoring in Philosophy can meet with a Philosophy advisor if they so choose but are not required to do so. (If a student would like to meet with an advisor, they may seek out one of their current Philosophy professors or email the department requesting to meet with an advisor. The email address is [email protected]

A Practical Ethics Minor is now available to students in several emphasis areas. Choosing one of these minors will add a complementary credential to students in any GV major program by providing them with a thorough grounding in philosophical thinking about ethics and value.  Students can choose courses tailored to their specific area of study. To learn more follow this link: Practical Ethics Minor 

Suggested Order of Coursework

Year One

• PHI 103 - Logic (3 credits)
• An elective, usually at the 100 or 200 level
• Beginning language course (101 and 102)

Year Two

• PHI 311 - Origins of Western Thought: Ancient Philosophy (3 credits)
• PHI 313 - Reason, Experience, Morality at the Dawn of Modernity: Early Modern Philosophy (3 credits)
• Intermediate language course (201)

Year Three

• One Non-western philosophy course (3 credits)
• Two PHI electives, usually including an Issues course (6 credits)

Final Year

• PHI 410 Advanced Topics in the History of Philosophy (3 credits)
• 400-level elective (3 credits)
• PHI 495 - Reality, Knowledge, and Value (Capstone) (3 credits)

Philosophy Major Requirements for Students Who Declared Prior to May 2023

If by August 28, 2023 you have already completed any 3 courses from among Phi 311, 312, 313, 314, 315,  you can consider these three as satisfying your requirement for the “Historical Sequence” which previously had required 4 courses.

If you have not completed any of the courses in this group  (PHI 311, 312, 313, 314, 315), you should follow the new major guidelines and plan on taking Phi 311, 313, and 410.

If you have taken only one course in the group (PHI 311, 312, 313, 314, 315) you should use the guide here to determine what to take next academic year:

• If you have taken PHI 311, you should take Phi 313 and 410.
• If you have taken PHI 312, you should take Phi 311 and 313.
• If you have taken PHI 313, you should take Phi 311 and 410
• If you have taken one course in the group but have not taken any of Phi 311, 312 or 313, (for example, you have taken either Phi 314 or 315), you may take any two courses from among Phi 311, 313 or 410 to complete your requirement.

If you have taken two courses in the group (Phi 311, 312, 313, 314, 315) you should use the guide here to determine what to take next academic year.

• If you have already taken Phi 311 and 313, you should take Phi 410.
• If you have already taken Phi 311 and 312, you should take Phi 313.
• If you have already taken Phi 312 and 313, you should take phi 311.
• If you have already taken 2 courses in the group but have not taken any of Phi 311, 312 or 313 (for example you have taken 314 and 315), then you may take any one of Phi 311, 313 or 410 to complete the requirement.
• If you have taken Phi 311 but have not taken Phi 312 or 313, you should take either Phi 313 or 410
• If you have taken Phi 312 but have not taken Phi 311 or 313, you should take either Phi 311 or 313
• If you have taken Phi 313 but have not taken Phi 311 or 312, you should take either Phi 311 or 410.