Philosophy B.A.

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Program Director: Nathan P. Carson, Ph.D.

Overview

Students may take either a major or a minor in philosophy. Both the major and the minor are understood to be essential elements of a liberal arts education through their articulation of a self-reflective and critical mode of thinking.

Many students take a major or minor in philosophy as a value-added course of study to supplement their professional, career major.

The philosophy major is intended to acquaint students with some of the classic texts of the discipline and with its different areas of inquiry.

The philosophical core requirements equip students in ethical reflection and logical argumentation, as well as in the history of philosophy. Students are also encouraged to strengthen their philosophical training through various constructive topical courses (such as philosophy of religion, epistemology, etc.), when they are offered as electives.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Recognize, categorize, and critically evaluate contemporary philosophers and philosophical schools of thought
Understand significant portions of the history of philosophy, and of the way Christian intellectual traditions have both enriched and been enriched by that history.
Engage and articulate live contemporary philosophical problems, and describe the ways philosophers have grappled with fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, ethics, aesthetics, and the human condition (among others).
Communicate with precise philosophical argumentation, reason-informed critical reflection, and clear argumentative prose, and recognize as well as critically evaluate the validity and truth of philosophical arguments as they encounter them.
Understand how philosophy is foundational to, relates to, or augments other fields of thoughts.
Understand and clarify the relationship between faith and reason, including the various ways this relation can be construed.
Perceive and articulate their analysis of philosophical arguments, thinkers and texts as central to their own (and others') intellectual, emotional, moral and Christian spiritual formation.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

General Education Prerequisites (3 Units)

PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits 3

Required Courses* (Minimum 33 Units)

PHIL 103 - Logic and Critical Thinking Credits 3
PHIL 110 - Introduction to Philosophical Ethics Credits 3
PHIL 331 - Ancient Philosophy Credits 3
PHIL 335 - Modern Philosophy Credits 3 or
PHIL 450 - History of Political Theory and Ideas Credits 3
PHIL 485 - Senior Project Credits 3

Electives: Select at least 18 units from the following:

BUS 365 - Business Ethics Credits 3
HIST 435 - American Intellectual History Credits 4
HIST 360 - Greece: Drama and Paideia in the Polis Credits 4
LIT 426 - English Literature: C.S. Lewis Credits 3
LIT 460 - Critical Approaches to Literature Credits 3
PHIL 330 - Ancient and Medieval Rhetoric Credits 3
PHIL 333 - Medieval Philosophy Credits 3
PHIL 340 - Eastern Philosophy Credits 3
PHIL 370 - Bioethics Credits 3
PHIL 393 - Twentieth Century Western Thought Credits 3
PHIL 405 - Philosophy of Religion Credits 3
PHIL 430 - Wilderness Philosophy, Theology, and Literature Credits 3
PHIL 450 - History of Political Theory and Ideas Credits 3
PHIL 455 - Philosophy of Language Credits 3
PHIL 460 - Philosophy of History Credits 3
PHIL 470 - History and Philosophy of Science Credits 4
PHIL 486 - Topics in Philosophy 3 Units **
PSY 450 - History and Systems of Psychology Credits 4
THEO 430 - Contemporary Theologies Credits 3

Note:

*An upper-division course from another program may count toward the philosophy major if the course is pertinent to the philosophy major and approved by the philosophy program director. In addition to PHIL 100 , philosophy majors are strongly encouraged to take PHIL 103 , PHIL 331 and PHIL 335 before taking other upper-division courses.

** Multiple iterations of PHIL 286 or PHIL 486 can be taken, when the topic designation of each course is distinct from other iterations student has completed.