Philosophy | Academic Advising Handbook

Introductory Courses (100 and 202)

PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy and PHIL 202 Ethics and Society are  introductory and are open to all students. Each of these 4-credit courses is offered  every semester. Philosophy majors and minors must take 100 or 202. Majors on the  Ethics, Society, and Law track must take 202.

200 Level Courses (205, 206, 207, 208, 212, 255, 273, 274)

  • 205 - Ancient Philosophy
  • 206 - Medieval Philosophy
  • 207 - Early Modern Philosophy
  • 208 - Late Modern Philosophy
  • 212 - Language and Logic
  • 255 - Special Topics (rotating)
  • 273 - World Philosophy and Religion
  • 274 - World Philosophy and Religion (Travel)

These 4-credit courses are open to all students. However, first-year students with weaker academic records are encouraged to take an introductory course. 205-208 is the four-semester history sequence in philosophy; one of these courses is offered every semester; majors must take at least two courses in this history sequence, ethics track majors and minors at least one. Phil/Math 212 (Language and Logic) is offered every year and fulfills the math core requirement; all majors and minors must take this course. 255 is a special topics course offered occasionally.

300 Level Courses (304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 314, 315, 321, 322, 333, 343, 349W, 355, 371, and 372; 373 and 374)

  • 304 - Philosophy of Art
  • 305 - Asian Philosophy
  • 306 - Islamic Philosophy
  • 307 - Ethics, Medicine, and Health Care
  • 308 - Artificial Intelligence
  • 309 - Philosophy of Religion
  • 310 - Philosophy of Science
  • 314 - Philosophy of Mind
  • 315 - Philosophy of Law
  • 321 - Environmental Ethics
  • 322 - Animal Ethics
  • 333 – Sports Ethics
  • 343 - Studies in Criticism & Theory
  • 349W - Research & Dissemination
  • 355 - Special Topics
  • 371 - Greek Concepts and Culture
  • 372 – Travel to Athens, Greece
  • 373 - World Philosophy and Religion
  • 374 - World Philosophy and Religion (Travel)

These courses are intended for students with prior experience in philosophy or for upper-division students; sophomore standing is typically a prerequisite. Most of these courses have no other prerequisites and are usually offered every other year except for Phil 307 (Ethics, Medicine, and Health Care) which is offered every semester. Majors typically take at least three of these courses, minors at least two. Majors in the ESL track choose these from 305, 307, 315, 321, 322, and 333. 355 is a special topics course offered occasionally. 349 is offered in the spring, and typically taken by majors in their junior year. 

400 Level Courses (403, 405, 494/495)

Intended for philosophy majors or minors. These courses presume considerable background in philosophy. There are specific prerequisites for each of these courses. 494/495 is the two-semester Senior Seminar sequence offered every year. Other 400-level courses are offered very rarely.

Note: to be eligible to register for Senior Seminar, students must have completed eighteen hours of philosophy, Phil 212, and one course in the history sequence (205-208), each with a C- or better.

Sample Schedule for a Philosophy Major

First Year: Philosophy 100 or any of our 200 level courses (202 if doing the ESL
track); PHIL 212

Second Year: Once course from history sequence (205-208); Phil 212; another 200 or 300-level Phil course

Third Year: Two or three upper-level Phil courses (300/400); history sequence course if doing Philosophy major. 

Fourth Year: Phil Senior Seminar (494/495); additional upper-level Phil courses as required

Revised 2024