BA in Philosophy
Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BA in Philosophy. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill KU Core Goals, please visit the KU Core website.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing I)1 | 3 | ENGL 102 (Goal 2.1 Written Communication/BA Writing II)1 | 3 |
| Goal 3 Social Science | 3 | PHIL 160, 161, or 180 (Goal 5 Social Responsibility & Ethics) | 3 |
| PHIL 140, 141, 148, 160, 161, or 170 (Goal 1.1 Critical Thinking, Major Requirement)4 | 3 | Goal 1.2 Quantitative Literacy2 | 3 |
| 1st Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 | Goal 2.2 Communication | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 1 | 2nd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 5 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHIL 384 or 386 (Goal 3 Arts and Humanities, Major Requirement) | 3 | PHIL Elective (2 of 4), Major Requirement | 3 |
| PHIL 310 or 610 | 3 | Goal 3 Natural Science | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 | BA Laboratory/Field Experience (LFE) | 1 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 |
| 3rd Semester Language (BA Second Language) | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 |
| 4th Semester Language, or 1st semester of Another Language (BA Second Language)2 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHIL 500+ Value Theory Area, Major Requirement | 3 | PHIL 620-654 Theoretical Area, Major Requirement | 3 |
| BA Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 3 | Goal 4.1 US Diversity | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PHIL 500+ History Area, Major Requirement | 3 | PHIL Elective 300+ (3 of 4), Major Requirement | 3 |
| Goal 4.2 Global Awareness | 3 | PHIL Elective 500+ (4 of 4) Major Requirement | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 | Goal 6 Integration & Creativity (recommend an approved PHIL course)5 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours3 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
- 1
The BA requires completion of two courses of collegiate-level writing instruction. Students who test out of Composition will still need to complete ENGL 102 (or equivalent) and one additional Goal 2.1 course.
- 2
For students completing the language requirement via the 3+1 language option, note that many first semester languages are 5 credit hours.
- 3
Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through KU core, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Students completing the BGS with a major must choose a secondary area of study. Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.
- 4
One PHIL course below the 300-level may count toward the major under required PHIL elective hours (12 PHIL electives needed).
- 5
PHIL 638, PHIL 648, PHIL 650, and PHIL 654 options for Theoretical area requirement count toward KU Core Goal 6.
Please note:
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.
The same course cannot be used to fulfill more than one KU Core Goal. However, overlap of a KU Core course with a major or degree-specific requirement is allowed. Overlapping is recommended to allow more opportunities to explore other majors and/or minors.