Philosophy, Major
Philosophy, Major, B.A.
The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.
To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Core General Education Requirements (CGER). CGER course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as CGER CL, CGER HA, and CGER NSWL to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of the course. Please click here for a description of the outcomes and requirements.
Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The degrees are distinguished by second language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR | ||
| PHIL 101 | Introduction to Philosophy (CGER HA) a | 3 |
| WRIT 114 | Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL) | 5 |
| or WRIT 116 | Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing | |
| CGER Option: Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) | 4 | |
| CGER Option: Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS) | 3 | |
| PHIL 120 | Ethical Reasoning (CGER CP) a | 3 |
| 101-level Second Language (CGER CL) | 4 | |
| CGER Option: Natural Sciences & Wellness with Lab (NSWL) | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 29 | |
| SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR | ||
| PHIL 235 | Ancient Philosophy (CGER HA) b | 3 |
| PHIL Elective | 3 | |
| 102-level Second Language (CGER CL) | 4 | |
| CGER Option: Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS) | 3 | |
| Minor or Certificate | 3 | |
| PHIL 317 | Epistemology c | 3 |
| CGER Option: Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW) | 3 | |
| CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP) - e.g., PHIL 280, 304, 305, 306, 310 d | 3 | |
| Minor or Certificate | 3 | |
| Minor or Certificate | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 31 | |
| SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR | ||
| PHIL 250 | Symbolic Logic b | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA) - e.g., PHIL 377/WGSS 377 e | 3 | |
| CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP) | 3 | |
| Minor or Certificate | 3 | |
| PHIL 331 | Philosophical Ethics (CGER HA) f | 3 |
| PHIL Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Minor or Certificate | 3 | |
| Minor or Certificate | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 30 | |
| SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR | ||
| PHIL 335 | Early Modern Philosophy g | 3 |
| PHIL 485 | Seminar in Philosophy h | 3 |
| PHIL Elective | 3 | |
| PHIL Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Minor or Certificate | 3 | |
| Minor or Certificate | 3 | |
| TOTAL | 30 | |
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits
- a
PHIL 101 and PHIL 120 do not count toward the major if taken after the student has earned nine credits in philosophy
- b
Typically offered in the Fall of even-numbered years
- c
Typically offered in the Spring of even-numbered years
- d
Suggested options for CGER outcome (CP): PHIL 280, PHIL 304, PHIL 305, PHIL 306, or PHIL 310. PHIL 280 counts toward the major
- e
Suggested option for CGER outcome (HA): PHIL 377/WGSS 377 counts toward the major
- f
Typically offered in the Spring of odd-numbered years
- g
Typically offered in the Fall of odd-numbered years
- h
Typically offered every fall
Note: Upon approval of the department, up to six credits from courses other than philosophy may be applied to the major (e.g., POLS 309 , POLS 310 , POLS 311).
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices. The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.
Core General Education Requirements (CGER)
Core General Education Requirements (CGER)
The Core General Education Requirements (CGER) includes a minimum of 10 courses across 6 categories. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the CGER Core.
- Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) - 4 credits, one course minimum
- Includes the University Mathematics Requirement¹
- Communication & Literacy (CL) - 8 credits, two courses minimum
- Includes the University Writing Requirement (CL-W)²
- Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW/NSWL) - 6 credits, one course minimum (NSW-Lab required)
- Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS) - 6 credits, two courses minimum
- Humanities & Arts (HA) - 6 credits, two courses minimum
- Civics & Perspectives (CP) - 6 credits, two courses minimum
- 1
University Mathematics Requirement:
Students satisfy the University Mathematics Requirement in one of four ways:
- completing an approved university-level mathematics course (MQR) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
- achieving a suitable score on the UW Math Placement Test
- achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement Calculus or Advanced Placement Statistics exams
- achieving a suitable score on a Credit by Examination administered by the Department of Mathematics.
- 2
University Writing Requirement:
Students satisfy the University Writing Requirement in one of four ways:
- completing a Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing course (WRIT 102, WRIT 114, WRIT 116, WRIT 118, or WRIT 120) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
- achieving a suitable score on the English Placement Test (WPT ENGL)
- achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition or Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exams
- achieving a suitable score on the University Writing Program Portfolio.
Completion via Placement Test
-
Writing: If the CL-W subcategory is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Communication and Literacy requirement will be reduced from 8 credits (2 courses) to 3 credits (1 course).
-
Mathematics: If the University Math Requirement is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning requirement will be considered fully met, replacing the 4-credit (1 course) requirement.
-
Students must still complete 36 credits across 10 courses, with any remaining credits or courses eligible to be taken from any CGER category.