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Philosophy

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www.clas.ufl.edu/CLAS/Departments/Philosophy

The Major: Philosophy, derived from the ancient Greek ‘philia’ (love) and ‘sophia’ (wisdom), is the study of the most fundamental questions that arise in reflecting on the nature of the world and the place of human beings in it. The value and importance of the study of philosophy lie in the habits of thought it inculcates, the breadth of vision it encourages, and the perspective it gives us on ourselves, our activities, and our lives among others. It can be the beginning of a process that can enrich one’s life immensely.

Philosophy also is good training for professional studies in journalism, law, medicine, and business, as well as for graduate study in philosophy. As in the case of other liberal arts majors, it provides the kind of well-rounded education and general intellectual skills that are prized in management in both the private and the public sectors. The serious study of philosophy offers one of the best opportunities to enhance one’s analytical, critical, and interpretive abilities, as well as one’s ability to express oneself clearly and to formulate and respond to arguments in speech and writing.

The philosophy major requires a minimum of 33 hours of course work in philosophy. Of these, 27 hours must be at the 3000-level or above, with at least 3 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 3 hours of individual work (PHI 4905 or PHI 3905) count toward the required minimum. Area requirements and the courses that meet them are given in the following table:

Area

Logic PHI 2100 or PHI 3130

History of Philosophy PHH 3100 and 3400

Philosophical Writing PHI 3950

Ethics PHI 3650 or PHI 4662

Theory of Knowledge PHI 3300

The rest of the required hours are electives. Students should discuss their interests and plans with an adviser in the department when choosing electives. More information is available in the department’s handbook, available at the department office and on the department’s Web page: web.phil.ufl.edu. Students must complete an exit questionnaire for the department the term they graduate.

Honors: To graduate cum laude, a student must have a 3.5 junior-/senior-level grade point average. To graduate magna cum laude (high honors) or summa cum laude (highest honors), a student must take an additional three hours at the 4000-level or above beyond the required minimum and then complete an honors project while taking PHI 4912.

The honors project involves independent research under the supervision of a faculty director. Application to undertake the project should be made to the undergraduate coordinator at least one and preferably two semesters before graduation. The director and undergraduate committee will conduct an oral examination and evaluate the project papers to determine the level of honors.

The Minor: The philosophy minor requires a minimum of 15 hours in philosophy. Of these, no more than 6 hours may be transfer credits. The 15 hours must include either (i) both parts of the history sequence (PHH 3100 and 3400) or (ii) one part of the history sequence and a logic course (PHI 2100 or 3130). At least 9 hours must be at the 3000-level or higher; only 3 of these hours may be independent study (PHI 4905 or PHI 3905).

Minor in Applied and Professional Ethics: A 15-hour minor is available for students who wish to augment their training in philosophy with courses in disciplines that specifically address ethical issues or to prepare for professional or graduate school by taking courses that examine the ethical issues and problems within specific disciplines or professions. This minor is additional preparation for students who anticipate teaching applied ethics courses after completing their graduate degrees, for pre-professional students who want to develop a comparative understanding of how value issues are addressed, and for pre-professional students who are interested in developing courses in ethics within their own fields. For further information, contact Dr. Richard Haynes, 316 Griffin Floyd Hall, 392-2084, ext. 316, rhaynes@phil.ufl.edu.

Philosophy

To remain ‘on track’ for this major, a student must meet the following critical tracking criteria.

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 Philosophy course

Semester 3:

  • Maintain course work from semester 2

Semester 4:

  • Complete 1 additional Philosophy course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

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 course work

Semester 1

Credits

PHI 2010 Intro to Philosophy OR another 2000-level philosophy course (GE-H)

3

Composition (GE)

3

Foreign Language

4-5

Electives

3-4

_____

 

Total

13-15

Semester 2

Credits

PHI 2100 Logic OR PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic (GE-M)

3

Foreign Language

3-5

Physical Science (GE)

3

Electives

3-5

_____

 

Total

12-16

Semester 3

Credits

Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H)*

3

Biological Science (GE)

3

Mathematics (GE)

3

Social & Behavioral Science (GE)

3

Elective (or foreign language, if 4-3-3 option)

3

__

 

Total

15

Semester 4

Credits

Required 3000-level philosophy course (GE-H)*

3

Biological Science

3

Social & Behavioral Science (GE)

3

Physical Science (GE)

3

Elective (GE)

3

__

 

Total

15

Semester 5

Credits

Required 3000-level Philosophy courses*

6

Social & Behavioral Science (GE)

3

Science Laboratory (GE-P or B)

1

Electives

4-6

_____

 

Total

14-16

Semester 6

Credits

Required 3000-level philosophy course*

3

Philosophy Elective (3000-level or above)

3

Electives

9

__

 

Total

15

Semester 7

Credits

Philosophy course 4000-level or above (excluding PHI 4905)

3

Philosophy 3000-level or above

3

Electives (3000-level or above, not in major)

9

__

 

Total

15

Semester 8

Credits

Philosophy courses 3000-level or above

6

Electives (3000-level or above, not in major)

9

__

 

Total

15

* PHH 3100 and 3400; PHI 3950, 3650 (or 4662), and 3300

 
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