Philosophy, B.A.

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About the Philosophy Bachelor’s Program

Students majoring in philosophy must complete 30 hours in philosophy, including PHIL 2310 , PHIL 2320 , PHIL 3301 , either PHIL 3303 or PHIL 3305 , and one course from PHIL 3330 , PHIL 3340 , PHIL 4330 , PHIL 4331 , or PHIL 4340 . Twenty-four hours must be at the 3000 or 4000 level. Minors are required to complete 18 hours in philosophy, at least 6 of which must be at the 3000 or 4000 level. For transfer students, at least 9 hours of the major or 6 hours of the minor must be completed in residency at Texas Tech. Philosophy students must receive at least a C in any philosophy course for it to satisfy major or minor requirements. Many students combine a philosophy major with a second major.

Communication Literacy Requirement. Philosophy majors must complete 6 hours of Communication Literacy courses. Communication Literacy courses for the B.A. in Philosophy are PHIL 3301 , PHIL 3303 , PHIL 3305 , PHIL 4000 , and PHIL 4341 .

Recommended Sample Curriculum

First Year

Fall

PHIL 2320 - Introduction to Ethics 3 Semester Credit Hours
(Also fulfills 3 hours of the core curriculum Language, Philosophy, and Culture requirement.)
ENGL 1301 - Essentials of College Rhetoric 3 Semester Credit Hours
POLS 1301 - American Government 3 Semester Credit Hours
Social & Behavioral Sciences 3 Semester Credit Hours *
Creative Arts 3 Semester Credit Hours *

Total: 15

Spring

PHIL 2310 - Logic 3 Semester Credit Hours
(Also fulfills 3 hours of the core curriculum Mathematics requirement.)
ENGL 1302 - Advanced College Rhetoric 3 Semester Credit Hours
American History 3 Semester Credit Hours *
Oral Communication 3 Semester Credit Hours *
Social & Behavioral Sciences 3 Semester Credit Hours *

Total: 15

Second Year

Fall

PHIL Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
ENGL 2000-Level Literature 3 Semester Credit Hours
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3 Semester Credit Hours
Life and Physical Sciences 4 Semester Credit Hours *
Multicultural Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours (Choose from the university’s multicultural list.)

Total: 16

Spring

PHIL Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
ENGL 2000 Level 3 Semester Credit Hours
Foreign Language (2000 Level) 3 Semester Credit Hours
Life and Physical Sciences 4 Semester Credit Hours*
Elective 1 Semester Credit Hour

Total: 14

Third Year

Fall

PHIL 3301 - Classical Greek Philosophy 3 Semester Credit Hours
PHIL Junior/Senior Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Minor Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
American History 3 Semester Credit Hours *
Creative Arts 3 Semester Credit Hours *

Total: 15

Spring

PHIL Junior/Senior Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Minor Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
POLS 2306 - Texas Politics and Topics 3 Semester Credit Hours
Math 3 Semester Credit Hours *
Choose one:
PHIL 3303 - Modern European Philosophy (1600-1800) 3 Semester Credit Hours
PHIL 3305 - Modern Political Thought (1600-1800) 3 Semester Credit Hours

Total: 15

Fourth Year

Fall

Minor Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Minor Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Personal Fitness and Wellness 1 Semester Credit Hours
Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Choose one:
PHIL 3330 - Philosophy of Science 3 Semester Credit Hours
PHIL 3340 - Minds, Brains, and Computers 3 Semester Credit Hours
PHIL 4330 - Epistemology 3 Semester Credit Hours
PHIL 4331 - Philosophy of Language 3 Semester Credit Hours
PHIL 4340 - Metaphysics 3 Semester Credit Hours

Total: 16

Spring

PHIL Junior/Senior Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Minor Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Minor Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Personal Fitness and Wellness 1 Semester Credit Hours
Elective 1 Semester Credit Hours

Total: 14

Total Hours: 120

* Choose from the university’s core curriculum .

Foreign Language

A student must complete 6 hours at the sophomore level or above in a single language. The prerequisite for all sophomore language courses is credit for the freshman level. This credit can be determined through a credit by examination. The score attained on the exam will determine whether the student is placed in a second-year course, a 5-hour review course, or in some cases the first or second semester of a beginning (first-year) language course. See Arts & Sciences General Degree Requirements for further explanation.