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Philosophy within the General Studies Major

Students may seek a major focused on philosophy within the individual studies option of the general studies major.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in general studies and a focus in philosophy requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 30 credits for the major (indicated by ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Philosophy Focus

Coursework for a focus in philosophy within the general studies major includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BS in general studies with a focus in philosophy. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.
Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) and cross-curricular requirements (in civic responsibility, historical, and international perspectives) may be found on the GER page.

Philosophy Focus Courses

First Courses
(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and English composition courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

ENGL 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
MATH 105 Mathematics: Contemporary Topics and Applications (3)
or MATH 106 Finite Mathematics
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses
(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama (3)
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

ENGL 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)

Foundation Courses
(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)

PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy (3)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or other foundation course for the major (see Requirements for the Major)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other course(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in arts and humanities (discipline must differ from first) and the cross-curricular requirement for historical perspective

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing and the cross-curricular requirement in civic responsibility

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing or speech

ANTH 102 Introduction to Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3)
or other course to fulfill the cross-curricular requirement in international perspective

Additional Required Courses
(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

ENGL 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ upper-level intensive writing

PHIL 307 Asian Philosophy (3)
or other core course (see Requirements for the Major)

PHIL 310 Ancient Philosophy (3)
or other core course (see Requirements for the Major)

PHIL 311 Studies in Existentialism (3)
or other core course (see Requirements for the Major)

PHIL 320 Modern Philosophy (3)
or other core course (see Requirements for the Major)

PHIL 331 Philosophy of Art (3)
or other core course (see Requirements for the Major)

PHIL 342 Moral Problems in Medicine (3)
or other core course (see Requirements for the Major)

PHIL 343 Sexual Morality (3)
or other core course (see Requirements for the Major)

HUMN 351 Myth and Culture (3)
or other related course (see Requirements for the Major)

Minor and/or Elective Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)

Total credits for BS in general studies (120)

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to the overall bachelor's degree requirements.

Minor in Philosophy

The philosophy minor complements the skills students gain in their major disciplines by providing a study of the relationships between personal opinions and real-world issues faced by as member so a pluralistic, open society.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a minor in philosophy will be able to

• Demonstrate practical skills in critical thinking.
• Apply analytic skills to academic areas or real-life or professional activities
• Explain the relationship between through, belief, and action as an individual and as a member of society.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the history of philosophy and selected areas of philosophy.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in philosophy requires the completion of 15 credits in philosophy (any PHIL course).  Students are strongly recommended to take PHIL 140 and a course in critical thinking or logic (PHIL110 or 170), if they have not already applied the courses toward other degree requirements.

At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).  Prerequisites apply for all courses. 

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to their major and pp. 64-66 in the 2008-2009 Undergraduate UMUC Europe catalog."

Last updated: 15 August 2008