Major Details
As a philosophy major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), you learn how to read texts closely and how to write clearly. You also develop keen analytic and critical skills. Admission into the program is based on admission into the college and success in the first year of course work. To graduate with a major in philosophy, students must be admitted to A&S, declare a philosophy major and meet the following requirements:
- Philosophy majors must complete a total of at least 36 credits in courses from the philosophy department (12 courses).
- Philosophy majors must take two courses from the five Introduction to Philosophy courses 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, or 1004, which are designed to introduce the major issues in philosophy.
- Philosophy majors must take Symbolic Logic 2010.
- Philosophy majors must take at least 18 credits (6 courses) at the 3000-level or above from the College of Arts and Sciences (excluding 5099).
- Philosophy majors are required to the Philosophy Capstone Course 5099.
- Philosophy majors must take an additional 6 credits (2 courses) of philosophy course work.
- All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher, in order to count toward the philosophy major.
The College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.
Curriculum
This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.
If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.
College Requirements
In sedition to the Philosophy Departments requirements for the major and minor in Philosophy, students must also plan to satisfy the requirements of their college. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences should plan with their College adviser so that they satisfy their requirements at the appropriate stage of their studies. For planning purposes students should consult the appropriate College Requirements Check list for College requirements that are additional to Philosophy major and minor requirements.
| First Year | Course Number | Credits |
| *English Composition | ENGL 101, 102 | 6 |
| Introduction to Philosophy (SE) | PHIL 104, 105, 106 | 9 |
| *Foreign Language | see checklist | 9-15 |
| *Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | see checklist | 9 |
| *Social Sciences (SS) | see offerings |
3 |
| *Natural Sciences (NS) | see offerings |
3 |
| Free electives (recommended to count in a minor or other program) | see options |
0-6 |
| 45 |
| Second Year | Course Number |
Credits |
| *Intermediate Composition | ENGL 289 | 3 |
| Introduction to Logic (or Symbolic Logic I) | PHIL 123 (or 341) | 3 |
| Courses in Philosophy at 200 level and above | see major checklist |
9 |
| *Foreign Language (if necessary) | see checklist | 0-9 |
| *Social Sciences (SS) | see offerings |
6 |
| *Historical Perspectives (HP) | see offerings |
9 |
| *Natural Sciences (NS) | see offerings |
6 |
| Free electives (recommended to count in a minor or other program) | see options |
0-9 |
| Total for second year | 45 |
| Third & Fourth Years |
Course Number | Credits |
| Courses in Philosophy at 200 level and above | see major checklist |
30 |
| Course in Philosophy at 500 level (capstone) | see major checklist |
3 |
| *Humanities (HU) | see offerings |
3 |
| *Literature (LT) | see offerings |
3 |
| *Humanities, Fine Arts, or Literature (HU, FA, or LT) | see offerings |
3 |
| Free electives (recommended to count in a minor or other program) | see options |
48 |
| Total for third & fourth years | 90 | |
| Total overall | Minimum 180 |
*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.
Students considering majoring in philosophy are encouraged to consult with the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Philosophy as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment, please either call or send email to Prof. Christopher Gauker. Phone: 513-556-6333. Email: christopher.gauker@uc.edu