Philosophy

major

Philosophy addresses fundamental questions about the most basic assumptions often made in other disciplines, and which seem to require more reflection. Examples include: What counts as scientific knowledge? What are we morally required to do? Can machines think? Do we have free will? And so on. The goal of philosophical work is to find rigorous ways of arguing for answers to such questions; courses emphasize clear writing and thinking, effective communication, and cogent argumentation.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Department of Philosophy addresses foundation questions. These are questions the answers to which inform our basic understanding of one or another domain of inquiry, or some fundamental aspect of the world or ourselves or our relation to the world.
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.392.2084 (tel) | 352.392.5577 (fax)

P.O. Box 118545
330 GRIFFIN-FLOYD HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-8545
Map

 Curriculum

Philosophical problem examination is primarily conceptual rather than empirical, in that philosophers seek to 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.

Training in philosophy prepares one for professions that require careful analysis of data, communicating with a wide variety of stakeholders, and making persuasive cases for important decisions. Majors often go on to law school, business school, politics, and public sector jobs involving research. See the department’s home page for more information on the nature of philosophical work and its benefits.

Requirements for the Major

The major requires 33 credits of coursework in philosophy. with minimum grades of C. Six philosophy major courses (18 credits) must be taken at UF. 

All major courses must be completed with minimum grades of C. Six philosophy major courses (18 credits) must be UF credit. 

Required Major Coursework

Philosophy Major Core Coursework: 15 credits
PHH 3100Ancient Greek Philosophy3
PHH 3400Modern Philosophy3
PHI 3130Symbolic Logic3
PHI 3300Theory of Knowledge3
or PHI 3500 Metaphysics
PHI 3650Moral Philosophy3
Philosophy Major Electives: 18 credits 1
IDS 1114Ethics and the Public Sphere3
4000-level or above Philosophy courses 26
3000-level or above Philosophy courses6
1000 or 2000-level or above Philosophy courses6
Total Credits36
1

No more than three credits of individual work (PHH 4911, PHI 4905, or PHI 4911 can count toward the 33 credits for the major.

2

The following courses will not count toward the six credits of 4000 level or above Philosophy courses:

PHH 4911Undergraduate Research in History of Philosophy3
PHI 4905Individual Work1-3
PHI 4911Undergraduate Research in Philosophy3
PHI 4912Honors Project3
  • To enroll in a 4000-level course, a student must complete a 3000-level philosophy course or receive instructor permission.

Prior to advance registration each semester, the department makes available on its website customized descriptions of its undergraduate courses offered in the upcoming semester.

Course Details

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.
More Info

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

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

  • Meet Semester 2 Critical Tracking Requirements
  • 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

SEMESTER 6

SEMESTER 7

SEMESTER 8

Students are expected to complete the Writing, Civic Literacy, summer enrollment, and Quest requirements while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S) as part of the CLAS Basic Distribution requirements. One of the two general education mathematics courses must be a pure math course.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences allows students additional flexibility in its Distribution Requirements. Students may count a maximum of 6 credits TOTAL from the CLAS Distribution course lists towards Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, or Biological and Physical Sciences, with no more than 3 credits of Humanities, 3 credits of Social and Behavioral Sciences, or 6 credits of Biological or Physical Sciences.

The full list of major-specific requirements for this major can be found on the Overview tab. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree requirements can be found on the college’s degree requirements page.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1 4-5
Electives 4
 Credits14-15
Semester Two
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Philosophy elective (Critical Tracking) 3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1 3-5
 Credits15-17
Semester Three
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics, pure math 3
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences (area not taken in semester 2) 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Required philosophy course (Critical Tracking) 3
Elective (or CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement if 4-3-3 language option) 1 3
Natural Science Laboratory 2 1
 Credits16
Semester Four
Quest 2 3
Required philosophy course (Critical Tracking) 3
Philosophy elective (3000 level) 3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences 3
Elective (or State Core Gen Ed Humanities if PHI 2010 not taken in semester 2) 3
 Credits15
Semester Five
Required philosophy courses 6
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences 3
Gen Ed Humanities 3
 Credits15
Semester Six
Required philosophy course (Critical Tracking) 3
Philosophy elective (3000 level) 3
Gen Ed Humanities 3
Gen Ed Mathematics 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Seven
Philosophy elective (3000 level) 3
Philosophy elective (4000 level; Critical Tracking) 3
Elective credits (3000 level or above, not in major) 9
 Credits15
Semester Eight
Philosophy elective (4000 level; Critical Tracking) 3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 9
Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
1

CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

2

Degree Requirements

Required Philosophy Courses

PHH 3100Ancient Greek Philosophy3
PHH 3400Modern Philosophy3
PHI 3130Symbolic Logic3
PHI 3300Theory of Knowledge3
or PHI 3500 Metaphysics
PHI 3650Moral Philosophy3

The major in Philosophy equips students with the knowledge and skills developed by careful study of philosophical questions as approached both historically and by contemporary thinkers. Such study confers a knowledge of important ideas about morality, knowledge, and the nature of our world that have shaped contemporary society. It also develops skills in effective thought and communication, including abilities both to assess contentious claims in a rigorous fashion and to manage complex debates. The program aims to produce graduates well-suited for careers in law, public service, data management, advanced study in a variety of academic areas, and any work that requires making persuasive arguments, managing unexpected problems, and communicating clearly with decision-makers and stakeholders.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Earn minimum grades of C in all courses satisfying the major's course requirements.
  • Complete two advanced 4000-level seminars, thereby completing assignments by which their achievement of content mastery (SLO1), argument assessment (SLO2), and argument presentation (SLO3) may be assessed.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Identify the major questions addressed and the range of answers offered in the history of Western philosophy; analyze and present some influential arguments in core areas of contemporary philosophy, such as ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics; and employ the fundamental tools of formal logic.

Critical Thinking

  1. Discern the structure of arguments regarding philosophical or otherwise difficult issues; represent them fairly; and evaluate them for cogency.

Communication

  1. Formulate and present original arguments regarding philosophical or otherwise difficult issues in a clear, helpful fashion; anticipate objections and respond effectively and persuasively.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3
PHH 3100 I,R,A R R
PHH 3400 I,R,A R R
PHI 3130 I,R,A R R
PHI 3300 or PHI 3500 I,R,A R R
PHI 3650 I,R,A R R
4000-level Seminars (two or more) A A A

Assessment Types

  • Paper(s)
  • Faculty developed examination(s)
  • Non-exam course assignments
  • Presentations