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.

This major is excellent preparation for professional schools in law, business, medicine and journalism, and for careers in the private and public sector.
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Coursework for the Major

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

Required Coursework

• At least six credits must be at the 4000 level or above, excluding the following:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credits
  PHH 4911	Undergraduate Research in History of Philosophy	3
  PHI 4905	Individual Work	1-3
  PHI 4911	Undergraduate Research in Philosophy	3
  PHI 4912	Honors Project	3

  (To enroll in a 4000-level course, a student must complete a 3000-level philosophy course or receive instructor permission.)
• 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 4905 or PHI 4911) can count toward the required minimum. 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

• Fall course information
• Spring course information

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.
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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

• 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

SEMESTER 6

• Complete 1 additional philosophy course (1 of the 4 courses must be taken from PHH 3100, PHH 3400, PHI 3130, PHI 3650, and either PHI 3300 or PHI 3500)

SEMESTER 7

• Complete 3 additional upper division philosophy courses (2 of the 7 courses must be taken from PHH 3100, PHH 3400, PHI 3130, PHI 3650, and either PHI 3300 or PHI 3500)

SEMESTER 8

• Complete 2 additional upper division philosophy courses (4 of the 9 courses must be taken from PHH 3100, PHH 3400, PHI 3130, PHI 3650, and either PHI 3300 or PHI 3500)

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). Generally, it is a good idea to take the area requirement courses as early as possible; in particular, PHI 3130 is best taken earlier rather than later.

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.

Required Philosophy Courses

The major in philosophy provides a thorough knowledge of philosophical problems and arguments as well as critical thinking skills applicable to a wide variety of intellectual areas. Students will become familiar with key positions in the history of Western philosophy, learn how to navigate the contemporary philosophical terrain and acquire a working knowledge of formal logic. They will learn how to represent complex arguments in a clear and fair fashion, to evaluate them for cogency and to construct arguments of their own. Finally, students will become practiced in writing about abstract and elusive topics in a critical and compelling manner.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Earn minimum grades of C in all courses satisfying the major's distribution requirements, thereby demonstrating achievement of SLOs 1-3.
• Complete a model paper in a 4000-level philosophy class with a minimum grade of B, thereby demonstrating achievement of SLOs 4-7.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Identify, describe and explain the major questions addressed, the range of answers offered and the methods employed in the history of Western philosophy.
2. Identify, describe and explain the major arguments and options in core areas of contemporary philosophy, such as ethics, epistemology and metaphysics.
3. Employ the fundamental tools of formal logic, including the propositional and predicate calculus.

Critical Thinking

4. Discern the structure of arguments, to represent them fairly and clearly and to evaluate them for cogency.
5. Formulate original arguments, anticipating objections and responding in a conscientious fashion.

Communication

6. Read and discuss complex philosophical texts from both historical sources and contemporary works.
7. Speak and write clearly and persuasively about abstract and conceptually elusive matters.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Papers
• Exams