Philosophy, (B.A.)

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Program objectives for a B.A. in Philosophy are to: (a) recognize patterns of valid and fallacious reasoning, and basics of logical theory; (b) read a major philosophical text analytically and be able to write out critical evaluations of philosophical arguments; (c) be familiar with major ethical theories and their practical applications; (d) possess a basic knowledge of the history of philosophy, in particular Ancient Philosophy and Modern Philosophy; (e) be able to engage critically both the primary and secondary literature on philosophical subject matter, to present one’s critical assessment orally to a group, and to produce a written document reflecting one’s independent research on a philosophical subject.

University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements.

College and Degree (B.A.) Requirements (6-9 hours)

The College and Bachelor of Arts requirements are in addition to the University General Education Program requirements.

The Major (30 hours)

Completion of 30 semester hours in philosophy courses including

PHIL 1101 - Intro to Philosophy
or
PHIL 1102 - Intro to Ethics **
PHIL 1611 - Elementary Logic **
PHIL 3001 - History of Ancient Philosophy **
PHIL 3002 - History of Modern Philosophy **
PHIL 3411 - Contemporary Moral Problems **
or
PHIL 3511 - Ethical Theory
and
15 additional upper division semester hours

To prepare philosophy students for success in a number of fields, the department offers courses in the following sub-divisions of philosophy

Philosophy of Law/Political Philosophy

Ethics/Social Philosophy

Philosophy of Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy/Contemporary Culture

Philosophy of Science/Epistemology

Electives

Electives may be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120.

Honors Program

This program is open to philosophy majors withan inclusive grade point average of at least 3.0 and a grade point average of at least 3.5 in the major. The student will complete, with a minimum grade of “B”, a thesis submitted for credit in PHIL 4891 . The thesis topic must be approved by the thesis director before the student registers for PHIL 4891 .

Those students who complete the program and the regular college requirements will be recognized at the commencement ceremony by having their degree conferred “With Honors in Philosophy.” Moreover, the student’s diploma and record at the University of Memphis will reflect this distinction.

Typical 4-Year Philosophy Sequence

Freshman Year

ENGL 1010 - English Composition**
MATH* (3-4)
PHIL 1101 - Intro to Philosophy
or
PHIL 1102 - Intro to Ethics **
Foreign Language/B.A. (3)
Elective (3)
ENGL 1020 - English Comp/Analysis**
Foreign Language/B.A. (3)
PHIL 1611 - Elementary Logic **
Social/Behavioral Sciences (3)*
Elective (3)

Semester Totals 30-31 hrs

Sophomore Year

ENGL 2201 - Literary Heritage **
or
ENGL 2202 - Lit Heritage: African-American **
History*/Foreign Lang (3)
Elective (3)
PHIL 3001 - History of Ancient Philosophy **
Natural Science* (4)
Social/Behavioral Sciences* (3)
History* /Foreign Lang (3)
UD PHIL (3)
PHIL 3002 - History of Modern Philosophy **
Natural Science* (4)

Semester Totals 32 hrs

Junior Year

Elective (3)
COMM 2381 - Oral Communication **
PHIL 3411 - Contemporary Moral Problems **
or
PHIL 3511 - Ethical Theory
History*/Elective (3)
UD PHIL (3)
Fine Arts (3)*
History*/Elective (3)
UD PHIL (3)
UD Elective (3)
UD PHIL (3)

Semester Totals 30 hrs

Senior Year

Elective (3)
UD PHIL (3)
UD Elective (3)
UD Elective (3)
UD Elective (3)
UD Elective (3)
UD Elective (3)
Elective (3)
Elective (4)

Semester Totals 28 hrs

Total Hours: 120-121

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement