Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Program Learning Outcomes
- Communication: Students will express philosophical ideas in either oral or written format.
- Degree Program Writing Competency: Students will express philosophical ideas clearly and logically in written format.
- Ethical Analysis: Identify major ethical paradigms and analyze ethical issues with regard to them.
- Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Break down complex ideas into their elements; perform reasoning tasks efficiently and correctly; clearly identify problems and solutions
Related Links
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Modern Language Requirement | 0-9 | |
| Other Basic Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Computer Competency | 0-3 | |
| Major Requirements | 33 | |
| Electives | 45 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
Rock Studies 2 Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.
BA Modern Language Requirement
BA degree requires language proficiency at the 103 class level. Exemption by placement or examination is possible.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 0-9 credits | 0-9 | |
| Total Hours | 0-9 | |
Basic Math Requirement
Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR | ||
| Beginning Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
Computer Competency
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR | ||
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution: | ||
| Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts | ||
| Computer Concepts | ||
| Introduction to Computing and Programming | ||
| Technology for Wellness | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
Major Requirements
- 17 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 17 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Formal Logic 1 | ||
| Symbolic Logic 1 | ||
| PHIL 123 | Ethics 1 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Social and Political Philosophy 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Law and Justice 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Philosophy of Religion 1 | ||
| Asian Philosophy 1 | ||
| PHIL 371 | Ancient Western Philosophy 1 | 3 |
| PHIL 372 | Modern Western Philosophy 1 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Existentialism and Phenomenology 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Mind 1 | ||
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| Philosophy Electives | ||
| Select four of the following courses, at least three credits at 300 level or above: | 12 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy 1 | ||
| World Religions 1 | ||
| Philosophy in Literature 1 | ||
| American Philosophy 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Human Existence 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Art 1 | ||
| Environmental Ethics 1 | ||
| Medical/Health Care Ethics 1 | ||
| Business Ethics 1 | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Law and Justice 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Gender and Sex 1 | ||
| Ethics, Technology, and the Future 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Religion 1 | ||
| Asian Philosophy 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Natural Science 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Mind 1 | ||
| Modern Authors and Issues 1 | ||
| Existentialism and Phenomenology 1 | ||
| Independent Study 1 | ||
| Selected Topics (repeatable to six credits) 1 | ||
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Co-curricular and Experiential Learning
Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:
- International study programs (short-term, semester, and year-long)
- High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
- Student-faculty research
- Presenting papers at conferences
- Involvement in Ethics Bowl
PHILOSOPHY - BA (5 64)
This program is effective as of Fall 2020.
Revised 08.25.2020
UCC 03.24.2020
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
Recommended Four-Year Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| PHIL 123 | Ethics | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ESAP 101 | FYRST Seminar * | 1 |
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| PHIL 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Humanities Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHIL 113 | Formal Logic | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| MODL 101 | Modern Language Requirement | 3 |
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Declare a Thematic Thread 2 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHIL 140 | World Religions | 3 |
| MODL 102 | Modern Language Requirement | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHIL 362 | Philosophy of Mind | 3 |
| PHIL 341 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| MODL 103 | Modern Language Requirement | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHIL 371 | Ancient Western Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 331 | Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHIL 372 | Modern Western Philosophy | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Philosophy Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHIL 375 | Existentialism and Phenomenology | 3 |
| PHIL 490 | Independent Study | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours** | 121 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.
- *
Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.
** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses. However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year.
Major Code: 5 64
Revised: 05.23.2023