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Office of the University Registrar

2008-09 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Philosophy
College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Degree : Bachelor of Arts
Hours for Degree: 120
Minor: Yes
Combined-Degree Program: No
Website: web.phil.ufl.edu/

Philosophy addresses the most fundamental problems that arise in reflecting on the nature of the world and our place in it. Philosophers ask such questions as: What can we know? What are the most general features of reality? What is the relation between mind and body? How ought one to live?

Philosophical examination of problems is primarily conceptual rather than empirical, in that philosophers work at developing conceptual accounts adequate to the phenomena they want to understand. The study of philosophy equips one to address difficult issues in a wide range of areas. It fosters critical thinking and sound reasoning, skills essential to effective thought and communication.

The philosophy major provides excellent preparation for professional schools in law, business, medicine and journalism, and for careers in the private and public sector. For more information, refer to the undergraduate and career handbooks on the department website.

Courses

The philosophy major requires a minimum of 33 hours of coursework in philosophy. Of these,
  • 27 hours must be at the 3000 level or above, with at least six hours at the 4000 level, excluding PHI 4905 and PHI 4912.
  • No more than 15 hours in transfer credit can count toward the degree, and no more than three hours of individual work (PHI 4905 or PHI 3905) can count toward the required minimum.
  • A 3000-level philosophy course or department permission is required to enroll in a 4000-level philosophy course.

Area requirements and courses:
Area Courses
Logic PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic
Writing PHI 3950 Philosophical Writing
History PHH 3100 Ancient Greek Philosophy and
PHH 3400 Modern Philosophy
Ethics PHI 3650 Moral Philosophy
Epistemology PHI 3300 Theory of Knowledge

The remaining required hours are fulfilled by philosophy electives. Full course descriptions are available on the department Web site prior to advance registration for the semester in which the courses are to be offered.

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 philosophy course

Semester 3:

  • Maintain coursework from semester 2

Semester 4:

  • Complete 1 additional philosophy course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Semester 5:

  • Complete 1 additional philosophy course (1 of the 3 courses must be at the 3000 level) with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
A 2000-level philosophy course (GE-H)3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Foreign language4-5
Electives4-3
Total 14
Semester 2Credits
PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic (GE-M) or
PHI 3950 Philosophical Writing (GE-C)
3
Foreign language3-5
Physical Science (GE-P)3
Electives6-4
Total 15
Semester 3Credits
PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic (GE-M) or
PHI 3950 Philosophical Writing (GE-C)
3
Biological Science (GE-B)3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Elective (or foreign language, if 4-3-3 option)3
Total 15
Semester 4Credits
Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H) *3
Biological Science (GE-B)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Physical Science (GE-P)3
Electives3
Total 15
Semester 5Credits
Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H) *3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Science laboratory (GE-P or GE-B)1
Electives9
Total 16
Semester 6Credits
Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H) *3
Philosophy elective (3000 level or above)3
Electives9
Total 15
Semester 7Credits
Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H) *3
Philosophy elective (4000 level, excluding PHI 4905)3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)9
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
Philosophy elective (3000 level or above)3
Philosophy elective (4000 level, excluding PHI 4905)3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)9
Total 15

* PHH 3100 and 3400; PHI 3650 and 3300