Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Pre-Law/Applied Ethics (optional) concentration

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

A major in philosophy comprises 27 units of core requirements and 15 units of elective requirements. Core courses provide general facility with philosophical knowledge, methods and skills. Elective courses address special themes or problems in philosophy.

Degree Requirements Summary
Requirements Units
General Education 51
Philosophy Major Core 27
Philosophy Major Electives 15
General electives 27
Total units needed for graduation 120
Major Core Requirements
Course #   Course Name Note Units
PHIL 101 Critical Thinking These GE C1 units do not count for the major. 0
PHIL 120 Introduction to Philosophy   3
PHIL 202 Proseminar   3
PHIL 204 Applied Ethics   3
PHIL 207 Philosophical Movements   3
PHIL 301 Philosophy of Science and Technology   3
PHIL 302 Ethics and Value Theory These GE C3 units do not count for the major 0
PHIL 303 Social and Political Philosophy   3
PHIL 306 Contemporary Topics May be repeated with different curriculum for elective credit 3
PHIL 307 Philosophical Figures May be repeated with different curriculum for elective credit 3
PHIL 400 Senior Seminar   3
Total Units in Major Core: 27

The major requirement is thus 42 units; 27 core units and 15 units of electives. Students may petition only 6 units of elective units outside the department.

Some required courses are only offered once a year, either in the fall or spring semester. Those courses are as follows:

Fall Semester: Phil 202, Phil 207, Phil 301, and Phil 303

Spring Semester: Phil 204, Phil 306, Phil 307, Phil 375, and Phil 400

Pre-Law/Applied Ethics Concentration

The Philosophy Department offers majors the option of choosing a concentration in pre-law and applied ethics. This option does not increase the overall number of required units. However, it requires students to increase the number of core units from 27 to 30; and decrease the elective units from 15 to 12. For a list of the required courses in the pre-law and applied ethics concentration see the list below.

Degree Requirements Summary with Pre-Law/Applied Ethics Concentration
Requirements Units
General Education 51
Philosophy Major Core 30
Philosophy Major Electives 12
General electives 27
Total units needed for graduation 120

Major Core Requirements
Course #   Course Name Note Units
PHIL 101 Critical Thinking These GE C1 units do not count for the major. 0
PHIL 102 Introduction to Logic   3
PHIL 120 Introduction to Philosophy   3
PHIL 202 Proseminar   3
PHIL 204 Applied Ethics   3
PHIL 207 Philosophical Movements   3
PHIL 302 Ethics and Value Theory These GE C3 units do not count for the major 0
PHIL 303 Social and Political Philosophy   3
PHIL 306 Contemporary Topics May be repeated with different curriculum for elective credit 3
PHIL 307 Philosophical Figures May be repeated with different curriculum for elective credit 3
PHIL 375 Philosophy of Law   3
PHIL 499 Law Internship   3
Total Units in Major Core: 27

Minor in Philosophy

The minor in philosophy consists of 18 units chosen by the student in consultation with a department advisor. These 18 units may be lower or upper division philosophy courses. AT LEAST 12 UNITS MUST BE TAKEN IN RESIDENCE AT SSU. Only two specific general education courses may be counted towards the 18 units: Philosophical Issues (Phil 200) and Ethics and Value Theory (Phil 302). Course substitutions must be approved by the Department Chair and all courses must be taken for a grade to count toward the minor. The minor track in philosophy may be designed to emphasis pre-law, pre-med, pre-business, critical thinking, and other applied areas and/or pre-professional programs. Consult the Department Chair for further information.