University of Redlands > Academics > College of Arts & Sciences > Undergraduate Studies > Philosophy > Degree Programs > Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

General Philosophy Major Requirements

The general philosophy major consists of eleven courses in philosophy, or ten courses in philosophy and one (only) of the following courses: GOVT 310-321 (any of the political theory courses) or HIST 314 European Thought and Culture: 1945-Present.

All majors must take eight core courses, as follows. No single course can count for more than one of these areas.

• One introductory-level course: either PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy, PHIL 120 Ethics and Social Philosophy, or PHIL 150 Introduction to Chinese Philosophy
• Two courses in Historical Foundations of Western Philosophy: PHIL 200 Greek Philosophy and 220 Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Philosophy
• At least one course in non-Western philosophy: PHIL 150 Introduction to Chinese Philosophy, 312 Chinese Buddhism, 314 Daoism, or 316 Confucianism
• At least one course in logic: PHIL 351352 (both needed if offered as twosemester, two-unit courses), or 350
• At least one advanced course in ethics: PHIL 320, 330, or 331
• At least one advanced course in metaphysics or epistemology: PHIL 300, 312, 314, or 340
• Two semesters of PHIL 461 Philosophy Practicum

An appropriate 300 or 400 level topics course can be substituted for any given requirement with Chair approval. No more than three 100-level courses may count toward the major.

Emphasis in Chinese Philosophy Requirements

The Chinese Philosophy emphasis consists of eleven courses as follows:

• PHIL 150 Introduction to Chinese Philosophy
• Two of the following three courses: PHIL 312 Chinese Buddhism, 314 Daoism, or 316 Confucianism
• Two courses in Historical Foundations of Western Philosophy: PHIL 200 Greek Philosophy and 220 Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Philosophy
• At least one course in logic: PHIL 350 or 351-352 (both needed if offered as two semester, two-unit courses)
• At least one advanced course in Ethics (PHIL 316 Confucianism can meet this requirement)
• At least one advanced course in Metaphysics or Epistemology (PHIL 312 Chinese Buddhism or 314 Daoism can meet this requirement)
• Two courses in Chinese culture from the following: PHIL 160 Chinese Civilization, HIST 141 Classical Asian Civilization: China and Japan, AST 111 Introduction to Asian Literature, AST 120 Chinese/ Japanese Calligraphy, GOVT 222 Asian Politics and Development
• Two semesters of PHIL 461 Philosophy Practicum; the Capstone project must address a topic in Chinese Philosophy
• Electives in Philosophy, including at least one course at the 300 level or above, to total eleven courses; any of the following may count as one elective: GOVT 310-321, HIST 314

Students with this emphasis are strongly encouraged to take CHNS 101-102 Beginning Chinese (Mandarin), and/or a travel course to China during May Term, and/or study in China for a semester or a year via the university’s study abroad programs.

Emphasis in Ethics Requirements

The Ethics emphasis consists of eleven courses as follows:

• PHIL 120 Ethics and Social Philosophy
• Two courses in Historical Foundations of Western Philosophy: PHIL 200 Greek Philosophy and PHIL 220 Seventeenthand Eighteenth-Century Philosophy
• At least one course in Non-Western philosophy: PHIL 150 Introduction to Chinese Philosophy, 312 Chinese Buddhism, 314 Daoism, or 316 Confucianism
• At least one course in logic: PHIL 350 or 351-352 (both needed if offered as two semester, two-unit courses)
• At least three courses in Ethics besides PHIL 120 (no more than one 100-level course may count); possibilities include: PHIL 140 Taking Animals Seriously, 255 Medical Ethics, 310 Philosophy and Feminism, 320 Ethics and Law, or 330 Ethics and the Environment
• Two semesters of PHIL 461 Philosophy Practicum
• Two electives in Philosophy, or one in Philosophy and one from the following: GOVT 310-321 (or any of the political theory courses), HIST 314

Students with this emphasis are strongly encouraged to complete a minor or a second major in a related field (e.g., Government, Environmental Studies), and to pursue an internship or community service in a pertinent area.