Learning Objectives in Philosophy

The School of Philosophy offers courses in most areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, logic, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, philosophy of art, social, legal and political philosophy, as well as the history of philosophy, both ancient and modern. The major in philosophy is designed to acquaint students with the fundamental problems that are debated within western philosophical thought, and to introduce them to the concepts and techniques necessary for independent philosophical thinking. It is equally intended to provide a broadening perspective for the various areas of specialization in the natural and social sciences and in literature and the arts.

In addition to the regular philosophy major, the School of Philosophy offers an interdisciplinary major in Philosophy, Politics, and Law. Although this major differs somewhat in its requirements from the regular major, it is designed (i) to foster an understanding and appreciation of some of the major milestones in the history of Western thought, (ii) to introduce students to leading approaches to ethical, legal, and political problems, and (iii) to acquaint them with one or more broad area of philosophical thought that bears on these issues – including epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of action, and philosophy of mind.

Equally important to each of the majors is the development of the skills necessary for rigorous, critical, and independent thought. Philosophy majors should graduate with the ability (i) to independently read and comprehend philosophical texts, so as to identify and state the central theses of these texts, and to reconstruct the key arguments in favor of these theses, (ii) to critically evaluate arguments, uncovering their hidden assumptions and assessing the soundness of the premises and the logical relations between the premises and the conclusion, (iii) to defend their own point of view by formulating valid arguments and anticipating and responding to objections, and (iv) to communicate effectively in speaking and in writing, demonstrating clarity, precision and rigor.

 

DEPARTMENT MAJOR REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS

Major in Philosophy

The major in philosophy requires eight courses in philosophy; six of these must be at the upper-division level. One of the eight courses must be a Gateway Course - PHIL 315, 320, 340, or 360 - which must be taken before taking any 400-level courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take a course in logic: PHIL 250ab, 350, 351, or 352.

Distribution Requirement

• At least one (1) course from History of Philosophy:
  PHIL 315, 320, 345, 410, 411, 415, 421, 422, 423, 424, 427, 434
• At least one (1) course from Ethics, Law and Value Theory:
  PHIL 330, 335, 337, 340, 345, 430, 437, 440, 442
• At least one (1) course from Systematic Philosophy:
  PHIL 350, 351, 352, 360, 385, 427, 428, 460, 462, 463, 465, 470, 480, 485, 486

During the senior year, students enrolled in one of the three majors' programs in philosophy can take a Capstone Seminar. Students who are enrolled in one of the minors in philosophy may enroll in a Capstone Seminar only with the permission of the instructor. Enrollment in these seminars will not exceed 15 students. Students may enroll in a Capstone Seminar only if they have satisfied the following requirement: A course in logic (PHIL 250ab, 350, 351 or 352), at least one 400-level course in philosophy, and have a GPA in philosophy of 3.0 or above.

Major with an Emphasis on Ethics, Law and Value Theory

This major is discontinued as of Fall 2011.

Philosophy Major With Honors

Students who consider the possibility of continuing their education at the graduate level in philosophy or similar disciplines, or students who wish to undertake a more intensive course of study in philosophy, including original independent research, are strongly encouraged to take the Major with Honors.

The major in Philosophy with Honors requires the completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, with the following additional requirements:

• Students must take a capstone seminar, having completed the prerequisites for taking it.
• In addition to the eight courses for the major in philosophy, students must take PHIL 494, Senior Thesis, during the fall term of their senior year. The senior thesis will be graded by the student's advisor and another member of the School of Philosophy, following an oral defense. The senior thesis must be completed with a grad of B or higher.
• Students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in their philosophy courses.

Students who intend to major in Philosophy with Honors are encouraged to enroll in the program during their sophomore year (but no later than the end of the first term of their junior year), and should consult the faculty advisor for the Honors program on a continuous basis.

Bachelor of Arts with a Combined Major in Linguistics and Philosophy

The combined major in linguistics and philosophy with honors requires the student to complete the requirements for the major with a GPA of 3.5 or above and to complete in addition LING 497 Honors Thesis or PHIL 494 Senior Thesis with a grade of “B” or better. Intent to complete the major with honors should be registered with the undergraduate advisor no later than the second semester of the junior year.

Combined Major in Linguistics and Philosophy with Honors

The combined major in linguistics and philosophy with honors requires the student to complete the requirements for the major with a GPA of 3.5 or above and to complete in addition LING 497x Honors Thesis or PHIL 494 Senior Thesis with a grade of “B” or better. Intent to complete the major with honors should be registered with the undergraduate adviser no later than the second semester of the junior year.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Law

This interdisciplinary major, unique of its kind in the country, combines in a systematic and structured way basic education in philosophy, political theory, and elements of law. It should be of particular interest to students contemplating post-graduate work in law; those interested in a career in public service or politics; and those attracted by the rigor of philosophy, and its attention to foundational issues, who are also interested in politics and law. Students are exposed to a wide range of conceptual and methodological approaches, while learning enough philosophy and political science to leave a choice of options for graduate schools.

For further details please contact the School of Philosophy Faculty Advisor for this program: Professor Andrei Marmor

The major in Philosophy, Politics and Law requires the completion of nine classes, distributed as follows:

• One (1) lower-division course from the following list:
  PHIL 135g, 140g, 141g, 262g, POSC 130g
• One (1) course in logic:
  PHIL 350, 351, 352
• One (1) course in Philosophy of Law
  PHIL 430, 431
• One (1) additional course in Moral and Political Philosophy
  PHIL 335, 337, 340, 437, 440, 442, 443
• One (1) course in the History of Philosophy or a systematic area of Philosophy
  History - PHIL 300, 315, 317, 320, 423, 426, 427, 428
  Systematic areas - PHIL 360, 462, 463, 465, 470
• One (1) course in Constitutional Politics
  POSC 335, 340, 426, 444
• One (1) course in Comparative or International Politics and Law
  ANTH 345, POSC 345, 440, 448a
• One (1) course in Politics, Law, and Public Policy
  POSC 347, 395, 443, 452
• One (1) course in the Gould School of Law
  LAW 300

Minor in Philosophy

The minor in philosophy requires the completion of five philosophy courses, at least four of which are upper-division courses. All minors must complete one course from each of the following categories:

• One (1) course from the following list of gateway courses:
  PHIL 300, 315, 320, 340, 350 or 360
• At least one (1) course from History of Philosophy:
  PHIL 101g, 115g, 220g, 315, 320, 410, 411, 415, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 473
• At least one (1) course from Ethics, Law and Value Theory:
  PHIL 140g, 141g, 155g, 330, 335, 337, 338, 340, 345, 347, 430, 434, 437, 440, 442, 443, 445, 446
• At least one (1) course from Systematic Topics:
  PHIL 262g, 360, 361, 385, 432, 450, 460, 462, 463, 465, 470, 480, 485, 486

OVERSEAS STUDIES PROGRAM

"Students who study abroad for a semester or a year gain a special perspective on the world that can benefit them for the rest of their lives. The experience often has a profound impact on a student academically, personally, and professionally. The College and the Philosophy Department encourage students to consider including studying abroad in their undergraduate experience. To explore further the overseas studies program, visit the following website: http://www.dornsife.usc.edu/overseas-studies/."