Philosophy (B.A. or B.S.)

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At least seven (7) semester hours of 400-level course work in philosophy is required to complete the major.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Requirements in Department (34)

PHIL 205 - Symbolic Logic Credits: 3
Available for General Education credit in the Nature and Technology Domain.
PHIL 301 - Junior Writing Seminar Credits: 3 , with a grade of C or better
PHIL 301 is a writing infused course.
PHIL 495 - Senior Capstone Credits: 1
PHIL 495 is a writing infused course.
Electives in philosophy (15), no more than nine (9) semester hours of which may be at the 100 or 200 level

One course from each of the following two areas (6)

Ethics and political philosophy

PHIL 331 - Ethics Credits: 3
PHIL 351 - Social and Political Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 351 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
PHIL 430 - Topics in Ethics Credits: 3
PHIL 450 - Topics in Social and Political Philosophy Credits: 3

History of philosophy

PHIL 321 - Ancient Greek Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 322 - Early Modern Philosophy Credits: 3

Two courses from the following area (6)

Core Analytic Philosophy

PHIL 311 - Knowledge and Justification Credits: 3
PHIL 312 - Introduction to Metaphysics Credits: 3
PHIL 360 - Philosophy of Science Credits: 3
PHIL 363 - Philosophy of Mind Credits: 3
PHIL 370 - Philosophy of Religion Credits: 3
PHIL 404 - Philosophy of Language Credits: 3
PHIL 410 - Topics in Metaphysics or Epistemology Credits: 3
PHIL 461 - Metaphysics of Science Credits: 3
PHIL 464 - Philosophy of Physics Credits: 3

Requirements outside Department (B.A., 0-12; B.S., 12-17)

For the B.A. degree
Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (0-12)
See “Foreign Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.

For the B.S. degree
Laboratory science/mathematical/computational skills sequence (12-17)
(See “College Requirement for the B.S. Degree”)

TOTAL HOURS FOR A MAJOR IN PHILOSOPHY: B.A., 34-46; B.S., 46-51

General Education Requirements (12-30)

In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining general education requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the general education requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the general education credit requirements.

Foundational Studies (0-12)

Writing Requirement (0-6)
Oral Communication Requirement (0-3)
Quantitative Literacy Requirements (0-3)

For additional information about these requirements, please visit Foundational Studies .

Knowledge Domain Requirements (12-18)

Creativity and Critical Analysis (6)

Two 3-credit courses selected from approved general education list. Creativity and Critical Analysis Course List

Nature and Technology (3)

One 3-credit courses selected from approved general education list. Nature and Technology Course List
PHIL 205 - fulfills one course requirement in this domain.

Society and Culture (6)

Two 3-credit courses selected from approved general education list. Society and Culture Course List

Knowledge Domain Elective (3)

One additional 3-credit course from any Knowledge Domain.

Up to 6 credits from selected courses in PHIL may be used to satisfy Knowledge Domain Requirements.

Graduation Requirements (0-3)

In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining graduation requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the graduation requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the graduation requirements credits.

Human Diversity Requirement (0-3)

One course from the approved Human Diversity course list; may be fulfilled by extracurricular activities. Human Diversity Course List