Philosophy

David Wolfsdorf, Chair
728 Anderson Hall

215-204-5620
dwolfsdo@temple.edu

Paul Crowe, Undergraduate Advisor
747 Anderson Hall
215-204–8591
pcrowe@temple.edu

Gayle Schooley, Administrator

gaylehs@temple.edu

Philosophy Major
Philosophy Major with a Pre-Law Emphasis

Distinction in the Major
Philosophy Minor

The Philosophy Department offers a 36-credit B.A. degree program.  The program is designed to provide a solid foundation for various professions in business, government, and professional schools (such as law), as well as an excellent background for the further study of philosophy. The department makes special provisions for students who have chosen the major as preparation for entry into law school. These students should follow a path slightly different from that of traditional majors, as indicated below. The Philosophy Department always has many majors who are transfer students.  Students should be sure to see a departmental advisor to make the necessary adjustments for their progress through the major.

Summary of Degree Requirements

1. University Requirements:

• Mathematics 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or English 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. See below for a list of the specific courses required for your major.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

2. College of Liberal Arts Requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including: 90 credits in CLA/CST courses, 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999). For Humanities majors, 6 upper level credits must be earned in the Social Sciences: African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminal Justice, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography and Urban Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Mathematical Economics, Neuroscience: Systems, Behavior and Plasticity, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Women's Studies, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.

• A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in all CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
• Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.

3.  Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:

1) All students must complete the second level of a foreign language;

2) All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd Global/World Society category; and

3) All students must complete one of the following options:

• Third level of a foreign language;
• Demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language;
• A second General Education Global/World Society course;
• Study Abroad at an approved program; or
• Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Graduation Requirements page.

4. Major Requirements: 12 courses in Philosophy (36 s.h.)

• Specifically Required Courses: Philosophy 1066, 1196, 2161, 2172
• Other Requirements:
  • One course in Ethics, selected from Philosophy 3222, 3226, 4225
  • One Senior Seminar, selected from Philosophy 4298 or 4297
• Electives in Major
  • Six courses in Philosophy numbered 2000-4999 (may not overlap with any of the above requirements).

5. General electives vary according to a student's individual program of study. Consult your academic advisor for more information.

Requirements for the Major

All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are listed above and are identified by "WI" in the Attribute column.

Suggestions for the Philosophy Major with a Pre-Law Emphasis

Distinction in Major

Successful completion of Philosophy 4999: Honors Thesis.

Requirements for the Minor

Suggested Semester-by-Semester plan for the Philosophy Major

Suggested Semester-by-Semester Plan for the Philosophy Major with a Pre-Law Emphasis