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  • Philosophy

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

    About This Major


    Critical TrackingRecommended Semester Plan

    Overview

    Philosophical problem examination is primarily conceptual rather than empirical, in that philosophers develop conceptual accounts adequate to the phenomena they want to understand. The study of philosophy equips one to address difficult issues with critical thinking and sound reasoning, skills essential to effective thought and communication.

    This major is excellent preparation for professional schools in law, business, medicine and journalism, and for careers in the private and public sector. More information is available from the undergraduate handbook.

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    Coursework for the Major

    The major requires 33 credits of coursework in philosophy with minimum grades of C.

    Required Coursework

    • PHH 3100 Ancient Greek Philosophy, 3 credits
      • PHH 3400 Modern Philosophy, 3 credits
      • PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic, 3 credits (typically only offered spring term)
    • PHI 3300 Theory of Knowledge or PHI 3500 Metaphysics, 3 credits
      • PHI 3650 Moral Philosophy, 3 credits
    • Six credits must be at the 4000 level or above, excluding PHI 4905 and PHI 4912.
      (To enroll in a 4000-level course a student must complete a 3000-level philosophy course or receive instructor permission.)
    • The remaining required credits are fulfilled by electives.
    • At least 27 of the 33 credits must be at the 3000-level or above.

    No more than 15 credits of transfer credit can count toward the degree and no more than three credits of individual work (PHH 4911, PHI 3905, 4905 or 4911) can count toward the required minimum. Prior to advance registration each semester, the department makes available on its website customized descriptions for many of the courses offered that semester.

    Course Details

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    Research

    It is possible to write an honors thesis, which involves independent research under the supervision of a faculty director. This is usually a two-semester process in the final year. Details are in the undergraduate handbook.

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    Critical Tracking

    To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

    Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used by transfer students.

    Semester 1

    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 2

    • Complete 1 philosophy course
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 3

    • Maintain coursework from semester 2
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 4

    • Complete 1 additional philosophy course with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 5

    • Complete 1 additional philosophy course (1 of the 3 courses must be at the 3000 level) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
    • 2.0 UF GPA required
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    Recommended Semester Plan

    Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

    While the plan below enables you to stay on track, it is not the only way. Generally, it is a good idea to take the area requirement courses as early as possible; in particular, PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic is best taken earlier rather than later.

    Semester 1 Credits
    IUF 1000 What is the Good Life​​ (GE-H) 3​
    Composition (State Core GE-C) (WR) 3
    Electives 4
    Foreign language 4-5
    Total 14-15
    Semester 2 Credits
    Biological or Physical Science (State Core GE-B or P)​ 3​​
    Composition (GE-C) (WR) 3
    Elective 3
    Foreign language 3-5
    Philosophy elective, 2000 level (GE-H) 3
    Total 15-17
    Semester 3 Credits
    Biological or Physical Science (Area not taken in semester 2, GE-B or GE-P) 3
    Elective (or foreign language, if 4-3-3 option) 3
    Mathematics (State Core GE-M, pure math) 3
    Required philosophy course * 3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences (State Core GE-S) 3
    Total 15
    Semester 4 Credits
    ​PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic (GE-M) 3​​
    Biological Science (GE-B) 3
    Elective or Humanities (State Core GE-H, if PHI 2010 not taken in semester 2) 3
    Philosophy elective, 3000 level (GE-H) 3
    Physical Science (GE-P) 3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) 3
    Total 18
    Semester 5 Credits
    Elective 3
    Required philosophy courses, two * 6
    Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) 3
    Science laboratory (GE-B or P) 1
    Total 13
    Semester 6 Credits
    Electives 9
    Philosophy elective, 3000 level 3
    Required philosophy course * 3
    Total 15
    Semester 7 Credits
    Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 9
    Philosophy elective, 3000 level 3
    Philosophy elective, 4000 level 3
    Total 15
    Semester 8 Credits
    ​Elective 3​​
    Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 9
    Philosophy elective, 4000 level 3
    Total 15

    * PHH 3100 (GE-H and N), PHH 3400 (GE-H and N), PHI 3300 (GE-H), PHI 3500 (GE-H) or PHI 3650 (GE-H).

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majors: philosophy