Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (code PHILBA01)
Minor in Philosophy (code PHILUM01)
Master of Arts in Philosophy (code PHILMA01)
Requirements
A minimum of 36 units in philosophy divided as follows:
Lower Division:
Upper Division:
A minimum of 24 units in philosophy, including at least two courses (6 units) from each of the following groups:
History of Philosophy:
Logic, Metaphysics, Epistemology:
Values and Evaluation:
Pre-Law Emphasis
The Honors in Philosophy program provides qualified undergraduate philosophy majors with an opportunity to do independent research with a faculty member on a topic of interest to the student and to present the results of that study to other students in a seminar format. The Program has two curricular components:
1. a year-long, two-semester directed studies course (PHIL 498H: Undergraduate Honors Thesis) in which the student learns about advanced research techniques and writes an undergraduate thesis under the close supervision of a faculty member, and
2. a seminar (PHIL 497H: Undergraduate Honors Seminar) in which honors students meet weekly to discuss work in progress and present a final thesis. The Seminar is designed each year with readings, discussions, and critiques of student work around the themes of the honors student theses projects that year.
To be eligible for the program, students must:
Students enroll in PHIL 498H (Undergraduate Honors Thesis) in Fall and Spring (3 units each semester), and in PHIL 497H (Undergraduate Honors Seminar) in Spring (3 units), for a total of 9 units in the program. Students who have been admitted to the honors program and have successfully completed these requirements, along with the regular requirements for the Major in Philosophy, will graduate with Honors in Philosophy.
The minor in philosophy provides a structured yet flexible program for the student majoring in a different discipline, but who is interested in philosophy.
The Minor in Philosophy is available to any non-Philosophy major.
Requirements
A minimum of 18 units in philosophy, divided as follows:
Lower Division:
Upper Division:
A minimum of 9 units in philosophy, including at least one course (3 units) from each of the following groups:
The candidate must satisfy the general requirements stated in this catalog as well as the specific departmental requirements described here and more fully in the Philosophy Graduate Student Handbook (available upon request). Applicants must submit to the University’s Office of Admissions and Records a graduate application (available at that office or on-line). Applicants must also submit a transcript from all colleges and universities attended to the Office of Enrollment Services. Prospective students should see the Graduate Advisor for assessment and to plan a program of study. Departmental reader positions are sometimes available for qualified persons, as are Graduate Assistantships. Application for these positions can be made to the Chair of the Philosophy Department.
Admission with Classified Status
An applicant may be admitted to the MA program in Philosophy in classified status (see the relevant sections in the Catalog under “Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Applicants”) only after satisfying University requirements for admission and the following prerequisites to this degree:
Admission with Conditionally Classified Status
Until students have met the requirements for classified status, they may be admitted and attend the university with conditionally classified status. Conditionally classified students who at entry to the philosophy program as a graduate student have been determined to have no deficiencies in prerequisite preparation must attempt the Basic Qualifying Exam (BQE) by the end of their second (academic year) semester in the program and pass it by the end of their third (academic year) semester in order to achieve classified status. Conditionally classified students who must rectify a deficiency must attempt the BQE by the end of their third (academic year) semester in the program and pass it by the end of their fourth (academic year) semester in order to achieve classified status. (Winter Term and Summer Session do not count as academic year semesters.)
Basic Qualifying Exam
The BQE comprises two sections (analytic, text) that assess the graduate student’s philosophical foundation and knowledge. The analytic section of the BQE assesses the student’s ability to extract, explain, and evaluate arguments from short passages. In reconstructing and evaluating these arguments, the student must demonstrate an understanding of basic logical concepts, such as validity, soundness, and cogency. The text section of the BQE assesses the student’s ability to read, interpret, and critically evaluate a more lengthy philosophical text.
Successfully passing the text section also requires general philosophical and historical knowledge, insofar as these are relevant to the contextual understanding of the text.
Students may attempt one or both sections of the BQE on those occasions when it is administered. Normally, students must pass both parts of the BQE by their second attempt. The BQE must be passed in order for students to achieve classified status in the graduate program.
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to Candidacy is the next step after acquiring classified status (and cannot take place until then) and confers catalog rights to graduate students. Advancement to Candidacy also signifies approval of a plan of study by the student’s department and college. The requirements for advancement, which must be achieved at least one semester prior to graduation and can only occur in a semester in which the student is enrolled, are:
Requirements for the Degree
The Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Undergraduate students can pursue a Certificate or a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Graduate students can pursue a Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Interested students should turn to the catalog section entitled “Medieval and Renaissance Studies” and/or contact the program directors in MHB 512.
