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 varieties of concentrations of the philosophy major 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, computer science and philosophy, criminal justice 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.
BA Language Requirements
All BA students are required to complete the BA degree language requirements, for a total of 12 semester hours of language study or demonstrated equivalent proficiency, as described in Additional Requirements for BA students. Successful demonstration of proficiency does not reduce total minimum semester hours of study required to earn the BA degree.
NUpath Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.
Program Options
Complete one of the 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 | |
Critical Philosophy Elective | ||
Complete one of the following not used to fulfill another requirement: | 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 Additional Electives | ||
Complete two additional PHIL courses. | 8 |
Philosophy Major with a Concentration in Law and Ethics
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Philosophy Required Courses | ||
PHIL 1115 | Introduction to Logic | 4 |
PHIL 2301 | Philosophical Problems of Law and Justice | 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 (not used to fulfill another requirement): | 8 | |
Introduction to Contemporary Moral Issues | ||
Introduction to World Religions | ||
Debating Ethical Controversies | ||
Comparative Ethics | ||
Selling Spirituality | ||
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 | ||
Research Ethics | ||
Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Beyond | ||
Islam: Rituals, Traditions, and Debates | ||
Chinese Philosophy and Religion | ||
Knowledge in a Digital World | ||
The Problem of Evil in Film | ||
Science Fiction and Film: Moral Dilemmas and Ethical Analysis | ||
Ethics and Evolutionary Games | ||
The Philosophy and Ethics of Lying and Deception | ||
Philosophy for Children | ||
Human Rights | ||
Social and Political Philosophy | ||
Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | ||
Japanese Buddhism | ||
Philosophy of Emotions | ||
Values and Sociotechnical Algorithmic Systems | ||
Philosophy of Economics | ||
Global Justice | ||
Ethics and Public Policy | ||
Information Ethics | ||
AI Ethics | ||
Law-Related Electives | ||
Complete one of the following: | 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 | ||
Complete one of the following not used to fulfill another requirement: | 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 with one at the 4000 or 5000 level: | 8 | |
The Religious Worlds of Boston: Faith and Devotion in Urban Life | ||
Existentialism | ||
Scientific Approaches to Philosophy | ||
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 | ||
Philosophy of Biology | ||
Seminar in Religion | ||
Global Justice | ||
Ethics and Public Policy | ||
Information Ethics | ||
AI Ethics | ||
Ethics Courses | ||
Complete three of the following: | 12 | |
Introduction to Contemporary Moral Issues | ||
Introduction to World Religions | ||
Debating Ethical Controversies | ||
Comparative Ethics | ||
Selling Spirituality | ||
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 | ||
Research Ethics | ||
Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | ||
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Beyond | ||
Islam: Rituals, Traditions, and Debates | ||
Chinese Philosophy and Religion | ||
Knowledge in a Digital World | ||
The Problem of Evil in Film | ||
Science Fiction and Film: Moral Dilemmas and Ethical Analysis | ||
Ethics and Evolutionary Games | ||
The Philosophy and Ethics of Lying and Deception | ||
Philosophy for Children | ||
Human Rights | ||
Philosophical Problems of Law and Justice | ||
Social and Political Philosophy | ||
Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | ||
Cults and Sects | ||
Japanese Buddhism | ||
Race and Religion in Film | ||
Philosophy of Emotions | ||
Values and Sociotechnical Algorithmic Systems | ||
Philosophy of Economics | ||
Global Justice | ||
Ethics and Public Policy | ||
Information Ethics | ||
AI Ethics | ||
Critical Philosophy Elective | ||
Complete one of the following not used to fulfill another requirement: | 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 1110 | Introduction to Religious Studies | 4 |
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 two PHIL courses at level 3000 or above not used to satisfy another requirement. At least one course must be at the 4000/5000 level. | 8 | |
Religious Studies Courses | ||
Complete three of the following (not used to fulfill another requirement): | 12 | |
Goddesses, Witches, Saints, and Sinners: Women and Religion | ||
Introduction to World Religions | ||
Comparative Ethics | ||
Selling Spirituality | ||
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 | ||
Music and Religion | ||
Japanese Buddhism | ||
Indigenous Philosophy | ||
Race and Religion in Film | ||
Seminar in Religion |
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, 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 | ||
Advanced Logic | ||
Philosophy of Economics | ||
Philosophy of Biology | ||
Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | ||
Critical Philosophy Electives | ||
Complete one of the following not used to fulfill another requirement: | 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 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. |
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 | PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 | Vacation | |
MATH 1215 | 4 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1000 | 1 | Foreign language core course | 4 | ||||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL elective 1 | 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 |
Critical philosophy elective | 4 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Foreign language core course | 4 | PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL elective 2 | 4 | Upper-division elective | |||||
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 | Advanced PHIL elective 2 | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Advanced PHIL elective 1 | 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 | ||
PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Upper-division 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 | Foreign language core course | 4 | Elective | 4 | Vacation | |
MATH 1215 | 4 | PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1101 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Foreign language core course | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
16 | 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 |
PHIL 2325 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Foreign language core course | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 3 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
PHIL 2330 | 4 | Co-op | 0 | Co-op | 0 | PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 |
Upper-division elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
16 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
ENGW 3315 | 4 | PHIL 6962 | 4 | PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | PHIL seminar | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Advanced PHIL elective | 4 | PHIL undergraduate elective | 4 | ||||
Elective | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||
16 | 16 | 8 | |||||
Total Hours: 129 |
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 | |
MATH 1215 | 4 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1000 | 1 | Foreign language core course | 4 | ||||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Foreign language core course | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
17 | 20 | 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 |
Critical philosophy elective | 4 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Foreign language core course | 4 | Law-related elective | 4 | ||||
Law 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 | Ethics elective 1 | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL 3435 | 4 | ||||||
PHIL seminar | 4 | ||||||
0 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
Co-op | 0 | Law-related elective | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||
Moral and political elective | 4 | ||||||
PHIL seminar | 4 | ||||||
Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||||
0 | 16 | 4 | |||||
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 | Foreign language core course | 4 | Elective | 4 | Vacation | |
MATH 1215 | 4 | Moral and political elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1101 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Foreign language core course | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
16 | 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 |
PHIL 2325 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Foreign language core course | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 3 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
PHIL 2330 | 4 | Co-op | 0 | Co-op | 0 | Elective | 4 |
Law-related elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
16 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
ENGW 3315 | 4 | Law-related elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Moral and political elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 3435 | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL seminar | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||
16 | 16 | 8 | |||||
Total Hours: 129 |
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 | PHIL 1115 | 4 | Vacation | |
MATH 1215 | 4 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1000 | 1 | Foreign language core course | 4 | ||||
PHIL 1110 | 4 | Religious studies elective | 4 | ||||
Foreign Language course | 4 | ||||||
17 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 2 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
PHIL 2325 | 4 | EESH 2000 | 1 | Religious studies elective 2 | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
Foreign language core course | 4 | PHIL 2330 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
Elective | 4 | Religious studies elective 1 | 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 | Advanced PHIL elective | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Religious studies elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL 3435 | 4 | ||||||
Religious studies seminar | 4 | ||||||
0 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
Co-op | 0 | PHIL seminar | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||
Upper-division elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Upper-division 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 | Foreign language core course | 4 | Elective | 4 | Vacation | |
MATH 1215 | 4 | Religious studies elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1101 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Foreign language core course | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
16 | 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 |
PHIL 2325 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Foreign language core course | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
17 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 3 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
PHIL 2330 | 4 | Co-op | 0 | Co-op | 0 | Elective | 4 |
Religious studies elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||||
Elective | 4 | ||||||
16 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
Year 4 | |||||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | ||
ENGW 3315 | 4 | Religious studies seminar | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 1115 | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
PHIL 3435 | 4 | Upper-division elective | 4 | ||||
PHIL seminar | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
16 | 16 | 8 | |||||
Total Hours: 129 |