Philosophy (BA/BS)

Philosophy engages fundamental questions concerning human identity, the nature of knowledge and reality, moral virtue and responsibility, the nature of community and political authority, aesthetic judgments and values, and other concepts central to the meaning and value of human existence.

Through the study of primary texts and concrete issues drawn from various historical periods and cultures, philosophy facilitates reflection on actions, beliefs, and values while developing critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. Philosophy also strengthens the ability to reason, enlarges the imagination, and refines aesthetic sensitivity.

With over 200 undergraduate majors and minors, the Philosophy major at the University of Oregon is one of the most vibrant in the country. Our program emphasizes the study of ethics, social and political philosophy, American philosophy, continental philosophy, feminist philosophy, philosophy of mind, the philosophy of race, the history of philosophy, and environmental philosophy.

The philosophy department provides a wide range of opportunities for majors outside the classroom. These include public lectures by prominent visiting philosophers as well as an undergraduate philosophy club. The department also routinely hosts regional, national, and international conferences, and all undergraduates are invited and encouraged to participate in these events.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Delineate the history of Western philosophy and differentiate the main schools of thought, key authors, debates, terms, and methods, that emerged in the history of philosophy.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, reading, and writing skills through use of a broad range of research methods, including collaborative projects and scholarly essays that deal with primary and secondary sources in the literature and are written in an academic format.
• Present and assess views that differ from one's own, particularly perspectives relative to gender, race, class, and culture, including non-Western philosophical perspectives, within an inclusive classroom environment.
• Compare, contrast, and critique representative authors from various philosophical traditions and historical periods.
• Engage in philosophical inquiry that examines a broad range of topics such as human nature, the self and the community, political authority, morality, knowledge and reality, the arts, literature, film, the internet.
• Define and explain the various sub-disciplines within the field of philosophy, such as ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics, philosophy of language, philosophical psychology, philosophy of law, environmental philosophy, social and political philosophy, and others, such as they are approached in within various philosophical fields of focus: Continental European, American and Latin American, Asian, feminist, critical race theory, and analytic.

Coursework for the major in philosophy must be passed with grades of C- or better or P (pass). No more than 8 credits may be taken pass/no pass.

Philosophy Major Requirements

Additional Requirements

• At least 40 credits must be upper-division (300- or 400-level)
• At least 20 upper-division credits must be from courses taken at the University of Oregon

Honors in Philosophy

The philosophy honors program is designed to provide outstanding, highly motivated philosophy majors with the opportunity to develop their skills during the senior year through the independent exploration of a special topic of their own choosing under the guidance of a faculty mentor. To be eligible for admission to the honors program, students must have completed at least 24 credits in philosophy, at least 12 of which have been taken at the University of Oregon. The honors candidate’s grade point average (GPA) in philosophy must be at least 3.50, maintained through graduation. To graduate with honors, the candidate must fulfill the following requirements:

Courses

Besides the courses required of majors, a candidate for departmental honors must take at least 16 of the 52 credits in philosophy at the 400 level.

Senior Thesis

The candidate must write an honors thesis under the guidance of a member of the philosophy faculty chosen as thesis advisor. The thesis must demonstrate the student’s ability to formulate a significant research problem, research primary resources, interpret sources with imagination and technical skill, and present the finished work in a form meeting professional standards in philosophy. The thesis must be approved by a thesis committee consisting of two faculty members from the philosophy department. Approval of the thesis depends in part on a public defense attended by the committee.

Upon fulfilling these requirements, the candidate is approved to receive a bachelor’s degree with honors in philosophy.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Bachelor of Science in Philosophy