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 , PHIL 3303 , 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. Majors may substitute PHIL 4310 for the PHIL 2310 requirement. 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.

Recommended Sample Curriculum

First Year

Fall

PHIL 2320 - Introduction to Ethics 3 Semester Credit Hours *
ENGL 1301 - Essentials of College Rhetoric 3 Semester Credit Hours
POLS 1301 - American Government, Organization 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
OR
CLAS 1310 - Latin and Greek Terminology 3 Semester Credit Hours
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3 Semester Credit Hours
Life and Physical Sciences 4 Semester Credit Hours *
Elective 1 Semester Credit Hours

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 3303 - Modern European Philosophy (1600-1800) 3 Semester Credit Hours
PHIL Junior/Senior Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
Minor Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
POLS 2302 - American Public Policy 3 Semester Credit Hours
Math 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 .

** Also fulfills 3 hours of the core curriculum Language, Philosophy, and Culture requirement.

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 and Sciences General Degree Requirements for further explanation.