Undergraduate Degrees

Department Major Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts

The major in philosophy requires eight courses in philosophy within one of four tracks; no more than two of these courses may be lower-division courses (100- or 200-level). Majors in all tracks are required to satisfy a distribution requirement by taking one course from each of the categories below:

History of Ancient Philosophy: PHIL 315, 410, 411, 415. (Students counting PHIL 100 toward the major may not use PHIL 315 for the distribution requirement).

History of Modern Philosophy: PHIL 320, 421, 422, 423. (Students counting PHIL 101 toward the major may not use PHIL 320 for the distribution requirement).

Ethics: PHIL 440 or 442.

Systematic areas: PHIL 460, 462, 463, 465, 470, 480, 485, 486.

The Regular Major

In addition to distribution requirements, the regular major requires PHIL 350 and three other philosophy courses, at least one of which is 300- or 400-level.

Major with Emphasis on Ethics

In addition to distribution requirements, the major with emphasis on ethics requires two courses from PHIL 430, 437, 440, 442, or 443 and two other philosophy courses.

Major with Emphasis on the History of Philosophy

In addition to distribution requirements, the major with emphasis on the history of philosophy requires two courses from PHIL 410, 411, 415, 421, 422, 423, 424, or 425 and two other philosophy courses.

Major with Emphasis on Science

In addition to distribution requirements, the major with emphasis on science requires PHIL 350 or 450; two courses from PHIL 480, 485 or 486; and one other philosophy course.

Philosophy Major with Honors

The philosophy major with honors requires the student to complete any one of the four major options with a GPA in that major of 3.5 or above and to complete as a ninth course PHIL 494 Senior Thesis with a grade of B or better. Intent to complete the philosophy major with honors should be registered with the undergraduate advisor no later than the second semester of the junior year.

Double Majors

The School of Philosophy encourages double majors but suggests that students work closely with the undergraduate advisor in planning their course schedules.

Interdisciplinary Law and Society Minor

See Department of Political Science.

Minor in Philosophy

The minor in philosophy requires five courses in philosophy, of which at least four must be upper-division courses (300- or 400-level). All minors must satisfy the distribution requirement for the major in philosophy.

Bachelor of Arts with a Combined Major in Linguistics and Philosophy

See Linguistics.

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
Joye Day
day@mizar.usc.edu