Philosophy Major


Philosophy Major (50 credits or 60 credits)

If you are interested in declaring a Philosophy Major, please see the Declaring the Major page for more information.

Students may choose either a 50-credit major or a 60-credit major. In order to graduate, a student who completes the 50-credit major must also have a minor or second major in another discipline. A student who completes the 60-credit major is not required to have a minor or second major.

Departmental Honors in Philosophy

The honors program in Philosophy recognizes the exceptional scholarship of qualified students in the Philosophy major. To qualify, students must have completed at least 25 credits in their major and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.5 in their major coursework.

In addition to their normal coursework, students seeking departmental honors must take one additional upper division course in their program, complete a superior thesis (PHIL 497: Honors Thesis) to be evaluated by a second reader from the departmental faculty, and make an oral presentation. Students graduating with honors will have that accomplishment recorded on their transcripts.

Philosophy Major, BA (50 or 60 credits)

Select one of the following courses - Credits: 5
  • PHIL 151 - Arguments about Life and Death Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 152 - Arguments about Healthcare Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 153 - Arguments about Social Issues Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 251 - Introduction to Formal Logic Credits: (5)

Complete the following courses - Credits: 17

  • PHIL 352 - Greek and Roman Philosophy Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 353 - Early Modern Philosophy Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 354 - Kant and Nineteenth-Century Philosophy Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 494 - Undergraduate Thesis Preparation Credits: (2)

Select either of the following courses - Credits: 3

  • PHIL 495 - Undergraduate Thesis Credits: (3)
  • OR  PHIL 497 - Honors Thesis Credits: (3)

Select one course from the following value-based courses - Credits: 5

  • PHIL 302 - Ethical Theory Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 304 - Business Ethics Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 306 - Environmental Ethics Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 308 - Medical Ethics Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 347 - Philosophy of Law Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 348 - Social and Political Philosophy Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 403 - Philosophy of Art Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 465 - Advanced Ethics (Put on Reserve 9/1/2020) Credits: (5)

Select one course from the following contemporary analytic and continental philosophy courses - Credits: 5

  • PHIL 358 - Existentialism Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 359 - Contemporary European Philosophy Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 361 - Theory of Knowledge (Put on Reserve 9/1/2020) Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 364 - Philosophy of Mind Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 380 - Philosophy of Science Credits: (5)

Select one course from the following diversity courses - Credits: 5

  • PHIL 325 - Women and Philosophy Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 345 - Chinese Philosophy Credits: (5)
  • PHIL 357 - Philosophy of Race Credits: (5)
  • RELS 403 - Buddhist Thought and Practice Credits: (5)

Department-approved Electives Credits: 10-20

Any PHIL courses (at most 5 credits at the 100- or 200-level).

Total Credits: 50 or 60


View major requirements and current curriculum in CWU's Online Electronic Catalog.

The Online Electronic Catalog (OEC) is the official University´s compilation for all curriculum. The OEC will serve as the basis for major, minor and program requirements for the academic year.

For current policy and curriculum requirements refer to CWU online catalog. When a printed catalog is produced, its publication will take place immediately following the freezing of the OEC for that year. Undergraduate catalogs are valid for five years.

Students must follow that catalog for major and program requirements that are in effect at the time they are admitted to the major. Please contact your academic department if you have questions. For current policy and curriculum requirements refer to CWU online catalo

CWU News

CWU to highlight student research at next week’s SOURCE conference

May 8, 2024

by

CWU Theatre and Film to present ‘Footloose’ the next two weekends

May 8, 2024

by

More News
Give to Program