Philosophy is a basic field of inquiry. Its range encompasses ideas and issues in every domain of human experience, and its methods apply to problems of an unlimited variety. The major in philosophy can develop not only philosophical skill and sophistication but also critical thinking and writing abilities that are readily applicable to pursuits in other academic areas, useful in careers far removed from philosophy, and valuable in everyday social and personal life. The study of philosophy can profoundly affect both the thinking one does and the kind of person one is.
There are a variety of ways to major in philosophy that students may choose from in accordance with their own backgrounds and interests. These include:
- Philosophy major (no concentration)
Offers students a maximum number of electives so they may choose in accordance with their own backgrounds and interests
- Philosophy major with a concentration in law and ethics
Focuses elective coursework in the areas of law, social and political philosophy, and applied ethics
- Philosophy major with a concentration in ethics
Focuses elective coursework in the areas of ethical theory, applied ethics, and social and political philosophy
- Philosophy major with a concentration in religious studies
Uses electives to explore a variety of both religious expressions and methods of inquiry
- Philosophy major with a concentration in formal methods
Focuses elective coursework in areas of logic and formal methods
- Combined majors in media and screen studies and philosophy, economics and philosophy, environmental studies and philosophy, political science and philosophy, English and philosophy, history and philosophy, criminal justice and philosophy, computer science and philosophy, and physics and philosophy
Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.
Universitywide Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.
NUpath Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.
Program Options
Complete one of following options:
- Philosophy Major (no concentration)
- Philosophy Major with a Concentration in Law and Ethics
- Philosophy Major with a Concentration in Ethics
- Philosophy Major with a Concentration in Religious Studies
- Philosophy Major with a Concentration in Formal Methods
Philosophy Major Credit Requirement
Complete 36 semester hours in the major.
Upper-Division Electives
Complete three general electives at the 3000 level or above that do not double count with the major or NUpath.
General Electives
Additional courses taken beyond college and major course requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements
Experiential Liberal Arts
All students in this College of Social Sciences and Humanities program are required to complete the Experiential Liberal Arts Requirement.
Program Requirements
128 total semester hours required
Philosophy Major (no concentration)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Philosophy Required Courses | ||
PHIL 1115 | Introduction to Logic | 4 |
PHIL 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | 4 |
or POLS 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | |
PHIL 2330 | Modern Philosophy | 4 |
Philosophy Advanced Electives/Seminar | ||
Complete three PHIL courses with a designation of 3000 or above, and at least one at 4000 or 5000 level. | 12 | |
Additional Electives | ||
Complete two additional PHIL courses. | 8 | |
Critical Philosophy Electives | ||
Take one of the following courses not used to fulfill another requirements: | 4 | |
Introduction to African American and Africana Studies | ||
Goddesses, Witches, Saints, and Sinners: Women and Religion | ||
Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
Human Rights | ||
Indigenous Philosophy | ||
Race and Religion in Film | ||
Sexuality, Gender, and the Law | ||
Philosophy of Race and Racism |
Philosophy Major with a Concentration in Law and Ethics
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Philosophy Required Courses | ||
PHIL 1115 | Introduction to Logic | 4 |
PHIL 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | 4 |
or POLS 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | |
PHIL 2330 | Modern Philosophy | 4 |
PHIL 3435 | Moral Philosophy | 4 |
Philosophy Advanced Electives/Seminar | ||
Complete two PHIL courses with a designation of 3000 or above, and at least one at 4000 or 5000 level, not used to satisfy another requirement. | 8 | |
Ethics-Related Electives | ||
Complete two of the following: | 8 | |
Introduction to Contemporary Moral Issues | ||
Introduction to World Religions | ||
Debating Ethical Controversies | ||
Understanding the Bible | ||
Comparative Ethics | ||
Technology and Human Values | ||
Introduction to Economic Justice | ||
Ethics and Philosophy through Sport | ||
Moral and Social Problems in Healthcare | ||
Business, Ethics, and Human Rights | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
The Ethics of Food | ||
Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Beyond | ||
Islam: Rituals, Traditions, and Debates | ||
Chinese Philosophy and Religion | ||
The Problem of Evil in Film | ||
Science Fiction and Film: Moral Dilemmas and Ethical Analysis | ||
Ethics and Evolutionary Games | ||
Philosophical Problems of Law and Justice | ||
Social and Political Philosophy | ||
Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | ||
Japanese Buddhism | ||
Race and Religion in Film | ||
The Religious Worlds of Boston: Faith and Devotion in Urban Life | ||
Philosophy of Emotions | ||
Values and Sociotechnical Algorithmic Systems | ||
Philosophy of Economics | ||
Global Justice | ||
Ethics and Public Policy | ||
Law-Related Electives | ||
Complete one of the following courses: | 4 | |
Criminal Due Process | ||
Criminology | ||
Youth Crime and Justice | ||
Political Crime and Terrorism | ||
Gender, Crime, and Justice | ||
Race, Crime, and Justice | ||
Rhetoric of Law | ||
The First Amendment and the Media | ||
Introduction to Law | ||
Judicial Process and Behavior | ||
Law and Society | ||
U.S. Constitutional Law | ||
U.S. Civil Liberties | ||
Sociology of Poverty | ||
Violence and Society | ||
Law and Society in a Digital World | ||
Critical Philosophy Electives | ||
Take one of the following courses not used to fulfill another requirements: | 4 | |
Introduction to African American and Africana Studies | ||
Goddesses, Witches, Saints, and Sinners: Women and Religion | ||
Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
Human Rights | ||
Indigenous Philosophy | ||
Race and Religion in Film | ||
Sexuality, Gender, and the Law | ||
Philosophy of Race and Racism |
Philosophy Major with a Concentration in Ethics
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Philosophy Required Courses | ||
PHIL 1115 | Introduction to Logic | 4 |
PHIL 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | 4 |
or POLS 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | |
PHIL 2330 | Modern Philosophy | 4 |
PHIL 3435 | Moral Philosophy | 4 |
Philosophy Advanced Electives/Seminar | ||
Complete two of the following courses with one at the 4000 or 5000 level: | 8 | |
Existentialism | ||
Moral Philosophy | ||
Philosophy and Literature | ||
Philosophy of Race and Racism | ||
Values and Sociotechnical Algorithmic Systems | ||
Theory of Knowledge | ||
Philosophy of Science | ||
Advanced Logic | ||
Philosophy of Mind | ||
Philosophy of Economics | ||
Seminar in Religion | ||
Global Justice | ||
Ethics Courses | ||
Complete three of the following: | 12 | |
Introduction to Contemporary Moral Issues | ||
Introduction to World Religions | ||
Debating Ethical Controversies | ||
Understanding the Bible | ||
Comparative Ethics | ||
Technology and Human Values | ||
Introduction to Economic Justice | ||
Ethics and Philosophy through Sport | ||
Moral and Social Problems in Healthcare | ||
Business, Ethics, and Human Rights | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
The Ethics of Food | ||
Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Beyond | ||
Islam: Rituals, Traditions, and Debates | ||
Chinese Philosophy and Religion | ||
The Problem of Evil in Film | ||
Science Fiction and Film: Moral Dilemmas and Ethical Analysis | ||
Ethics and Evolutionary Games | ||
Philosophical Problems of Law and Justice | ||
Social and Political Philosophy | ||
Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | ||
Japanese Buddhism | ||
Race and Religion in Film | ||
The Religious Worlds of Boston: Faith and Devotion in Urban Life | ||
Philosophy of Emotions | ||
Values and Sociotechnical Algorithmic Systems | ||
Philosophy of Economics | ||
Global Justice | ||
Ethics and Public Policy | ||
Critical Philosophy Electives | ||
Take one of the following courses not used to fulfill another requirements: | 4 | |
Introduction to African American and Africana Studies | ||
Goddesses, Witches, Saints, and Sinners: Women and Religion | ||
Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
Human Rights | ||
Indigenous Philosophy | ||
Race and Religion in Film | ||
Sexuality, Gender, and the Law | ||
Philosophy of Race and Racism |
Philosophy Major with a Concentration in Religious Studies
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Philosophy Required Courses | ||
PHIL 1115 | Introduction to Logic | 4 |
PHIL 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | 4 |
or POLS 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | |
PHIL 2330 | Modern Philosophy | 4 |
PHIL 3435 | Moral Philosophy | 4 |
Philosophy Advanced Electives/Seminar | ||
Complete two PHIL courses at level 3000 or above not used to satisfy another requirement. At least one course at the 4000/5000 level. | 8 | |
Religious Studies Courses | ||
Complete three of the following: | 12 | |
Introduction to Religious Studies | ||
Introduction to World Religions | ||
Comparative Ethics | ||
Understanding the Bible | ||
The Meaning of Death | ||
Apocalypticism in Film | ||
Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Beyond | ||
Islam: Rituals, Traditions, and Debates | ||
Jewish Religion and Culture | ||
Chinese Philosophy and Religion | ||
The Problem of Evil in Film | ||
Japanese Buddhism | ||
Indigenous Philosophy | ||
Race and Religion in Film | ||
The Religious Worlds of Boston: Faith and Devotion in Urban Life | ||
Seminar in Religion | ||
Directed Study |
Philosophy Major with a Concentration in Formal Methods
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Philosophy Required Courses | ||
PHIL 1115 | Introduction to Logic | 4 |
PHIL 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | 4 |
or POLS 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | |
PHIL 2330 | Modern Philosophy | 4 |
PHIL 4515 | Advanced Logic | 4 |
Formal Methods Courses | ||
Complete three of the following courses, at least two of which must be PHIL and one must be at the 3000 level or above, not used to satisfy other requirements: | 12 | |
Logic and Computation | ||
Information Economics and Game Theory | ||
Digital Methods for Social Sciences and Humanities | ||
Bostonography: The City through Data, Texts, Maps, and Networks | ||
Statistics and Software | ||
Probability and Statistics | ||
Science and Pseudoscience | ||
Ethics and Philosophy through Sport | ||
Knowledge in a Digital World | ||
Ethics and Evolutionary Games | ||
The Philosophy and Ethics of Lying and Deception | ||
Information and Uncertainty | ||
Scientific Approaches to Philosophy | ||
Theory of Knowledge | ||
Philosophy of Science | ||
Philosophy of Economics | ||
Philosophy of Biology | ||
Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | ||
Philosophy Electives | 8 | |
Complete two other PHIL courses (not used to fulfill another requirement), at least one of which must be at the 4000/ 5000 level. | ||
Critical Philosophy Electives | ||
Take one of the following courses not used to fulfill another requirements: | 4 | |
Introduction to African American and Africana Studies | ||
Goddesses, Witches, Saints, and Sinners: Women and Religion | ||
Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
Human Rights | ||
Indigenous Philosophy | ||
Race and Religion in Film | ||
Sexuality, Gender, and the Law | ||
Philosophy of Race and Racism |
Sample Plans of Study
Four Years, Two Co-ops in Summer 2/Fall
Year 1 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
ENGW 1111 | 4 | PHIL 2325 | 4 | Elective | 4 | Vacation | |
PHIL 1000 | 1 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 2 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
Critical Philosophy Elective | 4 | EESH 2000 | 1 | Elective | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
PHIL Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
16 | 17 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 3 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
Co-op | 0 | ENGW 3309 | 4 | PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
Advanced PHIL Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Advanced PHIL Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
0 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
Co-op | 0 | PHIL seminar | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||
Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
0 | 16 | 8 | |||||
Total Hours: 130 |
Four Years, Two Co-ops in Spring/Summer 1
Year 1 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
ENGW 1111 | 4 | PHIL 2325 | 4 | Elective | 4 | Vacation | |
PHIL 1000 | 1 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 2 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
EESH 2000 | 1 | Co-op | 0 | Co-op | 0 | Elective | 4 |
Critical Philosophy Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 3 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
Advanced PHIL Elective | 4 | Co-op | 0 | Co-op | 0 | Upper-division elective | 4 |
Advanced PHIL Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
20 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
ENGW 3315 | 4 | Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL Seminar | 4 | Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
16 | 12 | 8 | |||||
Total Hours: 130 |
Philosophy with Concentration in Law and Ethics: Four Years, Two Co-ops in Summer 2/Fall
Year 1 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
ENGW 1111 | 4 | PHIL 2325 | 4 | Elective | 4 | Vacation | |
PHIL 1000 | 1 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1101 | 4 | Ethics elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 2 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
Ethics elective | 4 | EESH 2000 | 1 | Elective | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
Law-related elective | 4 | Critical PHIL Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Elective | 4 | Law-related Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
16 | 17 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 3 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
Co-op | 0 | ENGW 3315 | 4 | Elective | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
PHIL 3435 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Advanced PHIL elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
0 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
Co-op | 0 | Advanced PHIL elective | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||
PHIL seminar | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
0 | 16 | 8 | |||||
Total Hours: 130 |
Four Years, Two Co-ops in Spring/Summer 1
Year 1 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
ENGW 1111 | 4 | PHIL 2325 | 4 | Elective | 4 | Vacation | |
PHIL 1000 | 1 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1101 | 4 | Ethics elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Law-related elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 2 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
EESH 2000 | 1 | Co-op | 0 | Co-op | 0 | Elective | 4 |
Critical PHIL Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Ethics elective | 4 | ||||||
Law-related elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 3 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
PHIL 3435 | 4 | Co-op | 0 | Co-op | 0 | Upper-division elective | 4 |
Law-related Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
16 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
ENGW 3315 | 4 | Advanced PHIL elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | PHIL seminar | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Law-related elective | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||
16 | 16 | 8 | |||||
Total Hours: 130 |
Philosophy with Concentration in Religious Studies: Four Years, Two Co-ops in Summer 2/Fall
Year 1 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
ENGW 1111 | 4 | PHIL 2325 | 4 | Elective | 4 | Vacation | |
PHIL 1000 | 1 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1110 | 4 | Religious studies elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 2 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
PHIL 2325 | 4 | EESH 2000 | 1 | Elective | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
Elective | 4 | Religious studies elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
16 | 17 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 3 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
Co-op | 0 | ENGW 3315 | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
Advanced PHIL elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Religious studies elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
0 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
Co-op | 0 | Religious studies elective | 4 | PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 | ||
PHIL seminar | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
0 | 16 | 8 | |||||
Total Hours: 130 |
Four Years, Two Co-ops in Spring/Summer 1
Year 1 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
ENGW 1111 | 4 | PHIL 2325 | 4 | Elective | 4 | Vacation | |
PHIL 1000 | 1 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1110 | 4 | Religious studies elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 2 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
EESH 2000 | 1 | Co-op | 0 | Co-op | 0 | Elective | 4 |
Religious studies elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Religious studies elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 3 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
ENGW 3315 | 4 | Co-op | 0 | Co-op | 0 | Upper-division elective | 4 |
Advanced PHIL elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
16 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
PHIL seminar | 4 | PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Elective | 4 | PHIL seminar | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Elective | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||
16 | 16 | 8 | |||||
Total Hours: 130 |