Department of
Philosophy

Core Requirements, Majors and Minors in Philosophy

View Major Academic Program Contract

University Core Requirements: The Core I requirement of four hours in philosophy may be satisfied with any course offered except for 233 Formal Logic, and 323 Health Care Ethics. The initial course in philosophy is customarily 101, 125, or a 200-level course that provides a more focused topic but is still at the introductory level (220, 223, 228, 230, 238, 253). The 300-level courses are suited for students with particular interests who are capable of working at the upper-division level. Courses offered through correspondence, online, and independent studies are not accepted to meet core requirement in philosophy.

Bachelor of Arts Major: A BA in Philosophy requires a minimum of 32 semester hours, including PHIL 233 and 499 and the following requirements:

One course from

  • PHIL 331: Ancient Philosophy
  • PHIL 333: Early Modern Philosophy
  • PHIL 334: Kant and the Nineteenth Century

One course from

  • PHIL 335: The Analytic Tradition
  • PHIL 336: Pragmatism and American Philosophy
  • PHIL 338: Continental Philosophy

As well as sixteen hours of elective coursework in Philosophy.

On approval of the department, one course (4 hours) in another field of study may be used for a double major in philosophy if it has a direct relationship to the student's philosophy program.

Transfer students will normally take 16 or more of their 32 hours at PLU.

Students intending to major in philosophy should formally declare this with the department chair and choose a departmental advisor.

Students must be a declared philosophy major in order to be eligible for departmental scholarships.

Honors Major: In addition to the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Major, students must meet the following requirements for the honors major:

  1. 493 Honors Research Project, including an honors thesis written under the supervision of one or more faculty members and presented to the department.
  2. Completion of the departmental reading program of primary sources. Honors majors in philosophy are expected to complement their regular courses by reading and discussing 3-4 important works under the personal supervision of department faculty. The reading list should be obtained at an early date from the department chair. It is best that the reading program not be concentrated into a single semester, but pursued at a leisurely pace over an extended period.
  3. At least a 3.3 grade point average in philosophy courses, including at least a B in 493.

Minor: 16 semester hours of approved philosophy courses; for transfer students, at least 8 hours must be taken at PLU. Students considering a minor should discuss their personal goals with departmental faculty. View Minor Academic Program Contract