Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of General Studies in Philosophy
Why study philosophy?
In philosophy we ask big, important questions. While asking such questions is easy, answering them is difficult. Because these questions are often abstract and vague, it is necessary to use precise reasoning and analysis to clarify what exactly it is we are asking. Only then can we attempt to develop answers.
In studying philosophy, you will learn what others have thought about life's big questions. You will also learn to challenge those views, and to develop your own thoughts in a precise, logical manner. Philosophy will help you develop critical thinking skills, enabling you to analyze the underlying logic and assumptions in arguments about a variety of topics. This is a skill that generalizes to virtually every area of life.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of the University Registrar website.
Requirements for the B.A. or B.G.S. Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education | 34 | |
| The KU Core 34 is comprised of 34-35 credit hours typically completed during the first two years of study. The Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (4-5), Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 in two different disciplines), Arts & Humanities (6 in two different disciplines), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3) | ||
PHIL 384 is a required course of the major. Students are strongly advised to satsify 3 credits of their Core 34 Arts and Humanties by taking this course. | ||
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Degree Requirements | 16-21 | |
| Students will follow the BA or BGS degree specific requirements based on their degree selection. BA students will demonstrate proficiency in a Non-English Language, complete a Quantitative Literacy course, a Laboratory or Field Experience, and two semesters of Writing. BGS students will complete a minor, two certificates, or a second major and a Career Preparation Course. Please see the College's undergraduate tab for more detailed information on these requirements. | ||
1 credit hour of a Laboratory of Field Experience, 6 credit hours of Writing, and 3 credit hours of Quantitative Literacy are required for all BA students. These requirements will be met through the completion of the KU Core 34. | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| PHIL 384 | Ancient Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 386 | Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Kant | 3 |
| Symbolic Logic | 3 | |
| Satisfied by one of the following. NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | ||
| Introduction to Symbolic Logic | ||
| Metalogic | ||
| Value Theory | 3 | |
| Satisfied by one of the following. NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | ||
| Aesthetics | ||
| Rational Choice Theory | ||
| Political Philosophy | ||
| Contemporary Ethical Theory | ||
| Feminist Theories in Ethics | ||
| Medical Ethics: Life and Death Issues | ||
| Theoretical Philosophy | 3 | |
| Satisfied by one of the following. NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | ||
| Philosophy of Natural Science | ||
| Philosophy of Social Science | ||
| Philosophy of Mathematics | ||
| Philosophy of Language | ||
| Theory of Knowledge | ||
| Metaphysics | ||
| Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Philosophical Traditions | 3 | |
| Satisfied by one of the following. NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | ||
| Chinese Thought | ||
| Kant | ||
| Seventeenth Century Philosophy | ||
| Eighteenth Century Philosophy | ||
| Nineteenth Century Philosophy | ||
| Nietzsche | ||
| Existentialism | ||
| Phenomenology | ||
| Contemporary Continental Philosophy | ||
| The Philosophy of Plato | ||
| The Philosophy of Aristotle | ||
| Hellenistic Philosophy | ||
| Major Electives | 12 | |
| Satisfied by completing 12 additional hours of PHIL courses, not more than 3 credit hours can be below 300 and at least 3 credit hours must be at the 500-level or above. NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | ||
| General Electives | 37-32 | |
| Students will need to complete additional general elective credits to reach the required 120 hours. | ||
| Capstone | 3 | |
| Capstone Requirement. Majors must complete a capstone research experience. It normally is taken during the senior year. Alternatively, students can choose to write a senior honors thesis. Satisfied by one of the following: | ||
| Senior Essay | ||
| Philosophy Capstone Seminar | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and GPA minimum standards:
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior (300+) Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior (300+) Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
A sample 4-year plan for the BA degree in Philosophy can be found here: Philosophy, or by using the left-side navigation.
A sample 4-year plan for the BGS degree in Philosophy can be found here: Philosophy, or by using the left-side navigation.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- communicate, in written and oral form, key aspects of (a) the history of philosophical thought, and (b) the major currents in contemporary debates across the different branches of philosophy.
- evaluate the cogency of argumentative discourse, provide reasons for this evaluation, and express these reasons clearly to a variety of audiences.
- argue clearly and persuasively for their position, recognizing its weaknesses and developing its strengths.
- recognize, examine, and critically assess normative standards of social relations, practices, and institutions, including a wide range of human activities depending on value judgments.
Departmental Honors
To graduate with departmental honors, undergraduates must take 6 hours in philosophy in addition to the 27 hours required for the B.A. or B.G.S., for a total of 33 hours. The 6 additional hours include
- An additional course numbered 500 or above for a total of at least 15 hours at that level, and
- PHIL 499 Senior Essay.
A committee of 3 faculty members reads the finished essay, gives the candidate an oral examination over the essay, and determines whether it warrants honors. This committee must consist of the instructor in PHIL 499, the departmental honors coordinator, and a third member of the philosophy faculty.
Honors are not awarded to anyone who receives a grade lower than B in PHIL 499 and whose final grade-point average in philosophy is lower than 3.5. To be eligible for departmental honors, students must file a declaration of intent with the departmental honors coordinator no later than enrollment for the final undergraduate semester.
The most important element in departmental honors is the honors essay. Once a student has determined the area in which he or she wishes to work, he or she should arrange to write the essay under the guidance of a faculty member with appropriate expertise. Ideally, this work should be completed during a single semester. However, students often find it difficult to complete the essay in one semester. Therefore, we recommend that the essay be begun in the semester before the one in which the student intends to graduate (typically, in the fall semester of the senior year).
The honors essay should be intermediate between a master’s thesis and a term paper. It should normally be at least 20 pages (6,000 words) long. It should go beyond mere exposition, whether by criticism or by comparison of different works. Interpretations of rare or difficult texts may occasionally be accepted.