Academic Catalog

Philosophy

Program Description

Philosophy is the oldest academic subject in the world and its concerns have given rise to nearly all other specialized academic disciplines. The primary motivation of philosophy is the same as the underlying motivation of all academic thought: the desire for knowledge and understanding. Philosophy is an attempt to understand our reality, our attempts at knowledge, our quest for good and meaningful lives, and, most ambitiously, our construction of a society that might make these good lives possible.

Course work in philosophy will explore the major areas of the discipline. Logic and critical thinking courses will explore the methodology of philosophic discourse and academic discourse in general. The other core courses will explore the epistemological, metaphysical, ethical, and political dimensions of philosophy. The philosophy program also offers courses exploring the history of philosophy from its beginnings in the ancient world through contemporary philosophy. The program also offers a collection of courses which explore the philosophic concerns manifested in the world's religions. If you have a curious mind and seek understanding, then philosophy may be the major for you.

Learn more about the program on the Philosophy website.

Associate Degree for Transfer

This program also offers an Associate Degree for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the Philosophy AA-T listing.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to critically analyze and evaluate arguments regarding issues of metaphysics and epistemology.
  • Students will be able to critically analyze and evaluate arguments regarding issues of ethics and political philosophy.

Career Opportunities

Philosophy graduates find careers in law, business, government, counseling, teaching, writing, computer systems analysis, and other areas involving analytic skills.

Award Type(s)

  • AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

  • Major: 34

Additional Information

Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

English Proficiency
Select one of the following:
ENGL 1ACOMPOSITION & READING5
ENGL 1AHHONORS COMPOSITION & READING5
ESLL 26ADVANCED COMPOSITION & READING5
or equivalent
Ethnic Studies
Any course in the ETHN (Ethnic Studies) subject code, currently approved for Area F of CSU GE and Area 7 of IGETC
Mathematics Proficiency
College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra

A minimum of 90 units is required1 to include:

  • Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • Core courses (14 units)
  • Support courses (20 units)
1

Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.


Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses
PHIL 4INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY4
PHIL 8ETHICS5
PHIL 1CRITICAL THINKING & WRITING5
or PHIL 7 INTRODUCTION TO SYMBOLIC LOGIC
Support Courses
Select 12 units from the following:12
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL & POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF ART & AESTHETICS
HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY FROM SOCRATES THROUGH ST. THOMAS
HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY FROM THE RENAISSANCE THROUGH KANT
COMPARATIVE WORLD RELIGIONS: EAST
COMPARATIVE WORLD RELIGIONS: WEST
And eight units from the following: 18
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
HONORS CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
HISTORY OF ART: HISTORY OF WESTERN ART FROM PREHISTORY THROUGH EARLY CHRISTIANITY
HONORS HISTORY OF ART: HISTORY OF WESTERN ART FROM PREHISTORY THROUGH EARLY CHRISTIANITY
HISTORY OF WESTERN ART FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE RENAISSANCE
HONORS HISTORY OF WESTERN ART FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE RENAISSANCE
HISTORY OF WESTERN ART FROM THE BAROQUE TO CONTEMPORARY
INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN ART
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION TO 800 CE
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION: 700-1800
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION 1789-PRESENT
INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE EASTERN CIVILIZATION
CULTURES, CIVILIZATIONS & IDEAS: THE ANCIENT WORLD
HONORS CULTURES, CIVILIZATIONS & IDEAS: THE ANCIENT WORLD
CULTURES, CIVILIZATIONS & IDEAS: OF EMPIRES & CONFLICT
CULTURES, CIVILIZATIONS & IDEAS: THE MODERN WORLD
HONORS CULTURES, CIVILIZATIONS & IDEAS: THE MODERN WORLD
THE SHOCK OF THE NEW: FROM THE MODERN TO THE CONTEMPORARY
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY/POLITICAL THEORY
HONORS INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY/POLITICAL THEORY
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
HONORS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
HONORS GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO BIOPSYCHOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
HONORS INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Total Units34
1

Students may also use additional philosophy courses from the first section of support courses to fulfill the requirement for the second section of support courses.