Philosophy (BA)

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Departmental Admission Requirements

There are no specific admission requirements for this degree plan. 

The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.

General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements31

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide Cardinal Core General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Arts & Sciences Requirements
GEN 100Student Success Center First Year Experience1
or GEN 101 Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
Foreign Language 112
Electives in Natural Sciences or Social Sciences 29
WR—two approved courses at the 300 level or above 3
Minimum Total Hours22

Program/Major Requirements

Department of Philosophy
Core Coursework
PHIL 300Philosophy in Dialogue (Can be repeated for a total of 3 credit hours. Must be completed within one year of declaring the major.)1
PHIL 321Ethics3
PHIL 502Philosophy Capstone Seminar - CUE3
History of Philosophy
Select two of the following:6
Philosophy in the Ancient Greek & Roman World
Philosophy & the Rise of Modernity, 1492-1804
Philosophy and the Americas
Nineteenth-Century European Philosophy
Logic
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Logic
Symbolic Logic
Biostatistics
Quantitative Analysis - QR
Introduction to Social Statistics - QR
Quantitative Methods in Public Health
Introduction to Social Statistics
Introduction to Social Statistics
Metaphysics/Epistemology
Select one of the following: 3
Philosophy of Language - WR
Knowledge & Reality - WR
Philosophy of the Self
Mind and Brain: Introduction to Cognitive Science
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Emotions
Philosophy of Science
Epistemology - WR
Recent Topics in the Philosophy of Language
Philosophy and Diversity
Select one of the following: 3
Asian Philosophy - D2, AH
Feminist Philosophy - AH, D1
Philosophy of Race and Racism - AH, D1
Feminist Medical Ethics - D1, AH
African-American Philosophy
Feminist Philosophical Literature
Topics in Philosophy of Race and Racism
African Philosophy
Minimum Total Hours22
Track Requirements (see Track Requirements tab)47

A minimum of 9 credit hours in Philosophy (PHIL) must be at the 500 level

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above. 

Culminating Undergraduate Experience (Graduation requirement)
Requirement fulfilled by completing:
Philosophy Capstone Seminar - CUE
1

Completion of the intermediate level of a single foreign language

2

In addition to courses counted toward General Education; 6 hours must be at 300 level or above

3

May be incorporated into other degree requirements

Track Requirements

Track in Bioethics

Academic Plan Code(s): PHILBA_BIO

Track Requirements
PHIL 323Medical Ethics3
PHIL 580Foundations of Bioethics3
Select two of the following:6
Ethical Theory - WR
Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics
Health and Social Justice
Race, Medicine, and Health
Supporting Courses
Minimum Electives (see lists below)35
Students may satisfy this requirement either by completing the University of Louisville School of Medicine's required pre-med science curriculum or by taking 35 hours of approved electives at the 300+ level.
Minimum Total Hours47

Pre-Med Science Curriculum Option
The Pre-Med Science Curriculum is required for admission to many medical schools. Bioethics track students may satisfy the track requirements by completing that Curriculum as listed below. It is also recommended that they select a Statistics course to meet the Logic requirement in the major.

Biology and Biochemistry
BIOL 240Unity of Life - S3
BIOL 241Unity of Life Lab - SL1
BIOL 242Diversity of Life - S3
BIOL 243Diversity of Life Lab - SL1
BIOL 540Metabolic Biochemistry3
General and Organic Chemistry
CHEM 201General Chemistry I - S3
CHEM 202General Chemistry II - S3
CHEM 207Introduction to Chemical Analysis I - SL1
CHEM 208Introduction to Chemical Analysis II - SL1
CHEM 209Introduction to Chemical Analysis III1
CHEM 341Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 342Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 343Organic Chemistry Laboratory I2
CHEM 344Organic Chemistry Laboratory II2
Physics
PHYS 221Fundamentals of Physics I - S3
PHYS 222Fundamentals of Physics II - S3
PHYS 223Fundamentals of Physics Lab I - SL1
PHYS 224Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory II - SL1
Minimum Total Hours38

Bioethics Track Electives Option

Students who choose not to complete the Pre-Med Science Curriculum may meet the track requirements by completing 35 credit hours from the list below.

Select at least 35 credit hours from the following:
ANTH 340
Medical Anthropology
Health Economics
Inequality and Health: The Black Experience
Ethical Theory - WR
Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics
Health and Social Justice
Race, Medicine, and Health
Medical Sociology
Sociology of Women's Health
Sociology of Aging - CUE
Sociology of Death & Dying - CUE
Reproductive Justice
Sociology of Disabilities
Women's Health Issues - D1, SB
Appropriate Bioethics electives approved by the department
Minimum Total Hours35

Track in Humanities

Academic Plan Code(s): PHILBA_HUM

Track Requirements
Select one of the following (no course may meet both a degree requirement and a track requirement):3
Philosophy in the Ancient Greek & Roman World
Christian, Muslim, and Jewish Thought in the Middle Ages
Philosophy & the Rise of Modernity, 1492-1804
Philosophy and the Americas
Philosophical Problems of the 20th Century
Introduction to Existentialism
Phenomenology
Select one of the following:3
Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Community - SB
Environmental Ethics
Philosophy of the Arts
Philosophy of Law
Ethical Theory - WR
Aesthetics
Political Philosophy
Critical Social Theory
Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics
Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics - SB
Supporting Courses
Electives in Humanities Division, other than Philosophy, at 300 level or above6
Electives in Humanities Division, other than Philosophy, at 400 level or above6
Minimum Electives29
Minimum Total Hours47

Track in Natural Sciences

Academic Plan Code(s): PHILBA_NSC

Track Requirements
Select one of the following:3
Philosophy of Language - WR
Philosophy of Science
Select one of the following:3
Mind and Brain: Introduction to Cognitive Science
Technology and Human Values - AH
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Emotions
Epistemology - WR
Phenomenology
Supporting Courses
Electives in the Natural Sciences at the 300 level or above6
Electives in the Natural Sciences at the 400 level or above6
Minimum Electives29
Minimum Total Hours47

Track in Social Sciences 

Academic Plan Code(s): PHILBA_SSC

Track Requirements
Select one of the following (no course may meet both a degree requirement and a track requirement):3
Philosophy in the Ancient Greek & Roman World
Philosophy & the Rise of Modernity, 1492-1804
Philosophy and the Americas
Nineteenth-Century European Philosophy
Philosophical Problems of the 20th Century
Introduction to Existentialism
Phenomenology
Select one of the following:3
Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Community - SB
Environmental Ethics
Philosophy of the Arts
Philosophy of Law
Ethical Theory - WR
Aesthetics
Political Philosophy
Critical Social Theory
Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics
Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics - SB
Supporting Courses
Electives in Social Sciences Division at 300 level or above 1,26
Electives in Social Sciences Division at 400 level or above 26
Minimum Electives29
Minimum Total Hours47
1

It is strongly recommended that three hours be devoted to each of “theory” and “methods” as defined by a particular social science discipline. Student should seek advising with the departmental undergraduate adviser to determine appropriate courses.

2

In addition to courses counted for General Education or college programmatic requirements.

Flight Plan


Track in Bioethics, Pre-Med Science Curriculum Option

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective – SBH 3
Foreign Language 1 4
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities – AH, chosen from the following: 3
Introduction to Philosophy - AH
Introduction to Philosophy through Literature and Film - AH
Critical Thinking - AH
Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Sexuality - D1, AH
 Hours14
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
Foreign Language 2 4
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning – QR 4
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity – AHD2 (other than PHIL) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication – OC 3
 Hours17
Year 2
Fall
PHIL 321 Ethics 3
BIOL 240
BIOL 241
Unity of Life - S
Unity of Life Lab - SL
4
Foreign Language 3 4
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Diversity – SBD1 3
 Hours14
Spring
PHIL 323 Medical Ethics 3
BIOL 242
BIOL 243
Diversity of Life - S
Diversity of Life Lab - SL
4
CHEM 201
CHEM 207
CHEM 208
General Chemistry I - S
Introduction to Chemical Analysis I - SL
Introduction to Chemical Analysis II - SL
5
PHYS 221
PHYS 223
Fundamentals of Physics I - S
Fundamentals of Physics Lab I - SL
4
 Hours16
Year 3
Fall
PHIL 300 Philosophy in Dialogue 1
Select one of the following: 3
Philosophy in the Ancient Greek & Roman World
Philosophy and the Americas
BIOL 329 Cellular and Molecular Biology 3
CHEM 202
CHEM 209
General Chemistry II - S
Introduction to Chemical Analysis III
4
PHYS 222
PHYS 224
Fundamentals of Physics II - S
Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory II - SL
4
 Hours15
Spring
PHIL 303 Philosophy & the Rise of Modernity, 1492-1804 3
CHEM 341
CHEM 343
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
5
One of the following: 3
Ethical Theory - WR
Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics
Health and Social Justice
Race, Medicine, and Health
Normative Philosophy course 3
Social or Natural Sciences elective (any level) 3
 Hours17
Year 4
Fall
PHIL 502 Philosophy Capstone Seminar - CUE 3
CHEM 342
CHEM 344
Organic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
5
PHIL 580 Foundations of Bioethics 3
Logic course 3
 Hours14
Spring
Metaphysics/Epistemology course 3
Humanities WR elective (300-level or above) 3
One of the following: 3
Ethical Theory - WR
Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics
Health and Social Justice
Race, Medicine, and Health
Social or Natural Sciences elective (300-level or above) 3
Social or Natural Sciences elective (300-level or above) 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours122

Track in Bioethics, Bioethics Electives Option

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities – AH, chosen from the following: 3
Introduction to Philosophy - AH
Introduction to Philosophy through Literature and Film - AH
Critical Thinking - AH
Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Sexuality - D1, AH
Foreign Language 1 4
 Hours14
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
Logic Course 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR 3-4
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity (other than Philosophy) - AHD2 3
Foreign Language 2 4
 Hours16-17
Year 2
Fall
PHIL 321 Ethics 3
Bioethics Track Elective 1 1 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences US Diversity - SBD1 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 3
Foreign Language 3 4
 Hours16
Spring
PHIL 323 Medical Ethics 3
Normative Philosophy Course 3
Metaphysics/Epistemology Course 3
Natural or Social Science elective 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL 1
 Hours16
Year 3
Fall
Select one of the following: 3
Philosophy in the Ancient Greek & Roman World
Philosophy and the Americas
Bioethics Track Elective 2 1 3
Bioethics Track Elective 3 1 3
Humanities WR elective (300-level or above; non-PHIL course) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
 Hours15
Spring
PHIL 303 Philosophy & the Rise of Modernity, 1492-1804 3
Bioethics Track Elective 4 1 3
Bioethics Track Elective 5 1 3
Bioethics Track Elective 6 1 3
Humanities WR elective (300-level or above; non-PHIL course) 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
PHIL 300 Philosophy in Dialogue 1
PHIL 502 Philosophy Capstone Seminar - CUE 3
PHIL 580 Foundations of Bioethics 3
Select one of the following: 3
Ethical Theory - WR
Health and Social Justice
Race, Medicine, and Health
Bioethics Track Elective 7 1 3
Bioethics Track Elective 8 1 2
 Hours15
Spring
Select one of the following: 3
Ethical Theory - WR
Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics
Health and Social Justice
Race, Medicine, and Health
Bioethics Track Elective 9 1 3
Bioethics Track Elective 10 1 3
Bioethics Track Elective 11 1 3
Bioethics Track Elective 12 1 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours122-123
1

To complete in the hours indicated, Bioethics Track Electives must be selected that will allow the student to also satisfy the Arts & Sciences requirement for hours outside of the division of the degree program.


Track in Humanities

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities – AH, chosen from the following: 3
Introduction to Philosophy - AH
Introduction to Philosophy through Literature and Film - AH
Critical Thinking - AH
Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Sexuality - D1, AH
Foreign Language 1 4
 Hours14
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Logic
Symbolic Logic
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity - AHD2 (non-PHIL course) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR 3-4
Foreign Language 2 4
 Hours16-17
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following: 3
Philosophy in the Ancient Greek & Roman World
Philosophy and the Americas
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences US Diversity - SBD1 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 3
General Elective 1 3
Foreign Language 3 4
 Hours16
Spring
PHIL 303 Philosophy & the Rise of Modernity, 1492-1804 3
PHIL 321 Ethics 3
PHIL 300 Philosophy in Dialogue 1
Humanities elective (300-level or above; non-PHIL course) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL 1
General Elective 2 (hours determined by QR course) 2-1
 Hours16-15
Year 3
Fall
Select one of the following: 3
Philosophy and the Americas
Nineteenth-Century European Philosophy
Metaphysics/Epistemology course 3
Humanities WR elective (300-level or above; non-PHIL course) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Spring
Normative Philosophy course 3
Select one of the following:
Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Community - SB
Environmental Ethics
Philosophy of the Arts
Philosophy of Law
Ethical Theory - WR
Aesthetics
Political Philosophy
Critical Social Theory
Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics
Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics - SB
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300-level or above) 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective 3
General elective 4 3
General elective 5 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
PHIL 502 Philosophy Capstone Seminar - CUE 3
Select one of the following: 3
Humanities elective (400-level or above; non-PHIL course) 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
General elective 6 (PHIL 499 recommended for honors students) 3
 Hours15
Spring
Logic Course 3
Humanities elective (400-level or above; non-PHIL course) 3
General elective 7 3
General elective 8 3
General elective 9 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours122

 Track in Natural Sciences

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities – AH, chosen from the following: 3
Introduction to Philosophy - AH
Introduction to Philosophy through Literature and Film - AH
Critical Thinking - AH
Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Sexuality - D1, AH
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH 3
Foreign Language 1 4
 Hours14
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
Logic Course 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity - AHD2 (non-PHIL course) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR 3-4
Foreign Language 2 4
 Hours16-17
Year 2
Fall
PHIL 301
Philosophy in the Ancient Greek & Roman World
or Philosophy and the Americas
3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences US Diversity - SBD1 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 3
General Elective 1 3
Foreign Language 3 4
 Hours16
Spring
PHIL 303 Philosophy & the Rise of Modernity, 1492-1804 3
PHIL 321 Ethics 3
PHIL 300 Philosophy in Dialogue 1
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL 1
Natural Science elective 1 (300-level or above) 3
General Elective 2 (hours determined by QR course) 1-2
 Hours16-15
Year 3
Fall
PHIL 341
Philosophy of Language - WR
or Philosophy of Science
3
Metaphysics/Epistemology course 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
Natural Science elective 2 (400-level or above) 3
General Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Spring
Normative Philosophy course 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300-level or above) 3
General Elective 4 3
General elective 5 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
PHIL 502 Philosophy Capstone Seminar - CUE 3
Select one of the following: 1 3
Mind and Brain: Introduction to Cognitive Science
Technology and Human Values - AH
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Emotions
Epistemology - WR
Phenomenology
Natural Science elective 3 (300-level or above) 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective - WR (300-level or above) 3
General elective 6 (PHIL 499 recommended for honors students) 3
 Hours15
Spring
Natural Science elective 4 (400-level or above) 3
General elective 7 - WR 3
General elective 8 3
General elective 9 (Philosophy, 500-level or above) 1 3
General elective 10 (Philosophy, 500-level or above) 1 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours122

Track in Social Sciences

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities – AH, chosen from the following: 3
Introduction to Philosophy - AH
Introduction to Philosophy through Literature and Film - AH
Critical Thinking - AH
Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Sexuality - D1, AH
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH 3
Foreign Language 1 4
 Hours14
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
Logic Course 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities Global Diversity - AHD2 (non-PHIL course) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR 3-4
Foreign Language 2 4
 Hours16-17
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following: 3
Philosophy in the Ancient Greek & Roman World
Philosophy and the Americas
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences US Diversity - SBD1 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 3
General Elective 1 3
Foreign Language 3 4
 Hours16
Spring
PHIL 303 Philosophy & the Rise of Modernity, 1492-1804 3
PHIL 321 Ethics 3
PHIL 300 Philosophy in Dialogue 1
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL 1
Social Science elective 1 (300-level or above) 3
General Elective 2 (hours determined by QR course) 1-2
 Hours16-15
Year 3
Fall
PHIL 306
Nineteenth-Century European Philosophy
or Philosophical Problems of the 20th Century
3
Metaphysics/Epistemology course 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
Social Science elective 2 (400-level or above) 3
General Elective 3 3
 Hours15
Spring
Normative Philosophy course 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300-level or above) 3
General Elective 4 3
General elective 5 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
PHIL 502 Philosophy Capstone Seminar - CUE 3
Select one of the following: 1 3
Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Community - SB
Environmental Ethics
Philosophy of the Arts
Philosophy of Law
Aesthetics
Ethical Theory - WR
Political Philosophy
Critical Social Theory
Current Controversies in Health Care Ethics
Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics - SB
Social Science elective 3 - WR (300-level or above) 3
Social Science or Natural Science elective (300-level or above) 3
General elective 6 (PHIL 499 recommended for honors students) 3
 Hours15
Spring
Social Science elective 4 (400-level or above) 3
General elective 7 - WR 3
General elective 8 3
General elective 9 (Philosophy, 500-level or above) 1 3
General elective 10 (Philosophy, 500-level or above) 1 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours122
1

Students who fulfill other requirements with 500-level PHIL courses may be able to complete General electives 8 and/or 9 as an open elective at any level.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan.  What-if reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

  1. Log into your ULink account.
  2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
  3. Select the appropriate report.
    1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
    2. To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."
    3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.