2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
Philosophy addresses the most fundamental problems that arise in reflecting on the nature of the world and our place in it. Philosophers ask such questions as: What can we know? What are the most general features of reality? What is the relation between mind and body? How ought one to live?
Philosophical examination of problems is primarily conceptual rather than empirical, in that philosophers work at developing conceptual accounts adequate to the phenomena they want to understand. The study of philosophy equips one to address difficult issues in a wide range of areas. It fosters critical thinking and sound reasoning, skills essential to effective thought and communication.
The philosophy major provides excellent preparation for professional schools in law, business, medicine and journalism, and for careers in the private and public sector. For more information, refer to the undergraduate and career handbooks on the department website.
The philosophy major requires a minimum of 33 hours of coursework in philosophy. These must include the following courses, which constitute the major's area distribution requirement:
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
* PHH 3100 (GE-H, N), PHH 3400 (GE-H, N), PHI 3130 (GE-M), PHI 3300 (GE-H), PHI 3650 (GE-H).
| Philosophy |
| College: Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Degree: Bachelor of Arts |
| Hours for Degree: 120 |
| Minor: Yes |
| Combined-Degree Program: No |
| Website: web.phil.ufl.edu/ |
Philosophy addresses the most fundamental problems that arise in reflecting on the nature of the world and our place in it. Philosophers ask such questions as: What can we know? What are the most general features of reality? What is the relation between mind and body? How ought one to live?
Philosophical examination of problems is primarily conceptual rather than empirical, in that philosophers work at developing conceptual accounts adequate to the phenomena they want to understand. The study of philosophy equips one to address difficult issues in a wide range of areas. It fosters critical thinking and sound reasoning, skills essential to effective thought and communication.
The philosophy major provides excellent preparation for professional schools in law, business, medicine and journalism, and for careers in the private and public sector. For more information, refer to the undergraduate and career handbooks on the department website.
Courses
The philosophy major requires a minimum of 33 hours of coursework in philosophy. These must include the following courses, which constitute the major's area distribution requirement:
- PHH 3100 Ancient Greek Philosophy
- PHH 3400 Modern Philosophy
- PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic
- PHI 3300 Theory of Knowledge
- PHI 3650 Moral Philosophy
- The remaining required 33 hours are fulfilled by electives. Of those 33 credit hours, at least 27 of them must be at the 3000-level or above, and at least 6 credit hours must be at the 4000-level or above, excluding PHI 4905 and PHI 4912. (To enroll in a 4000-level course a student must complete a 3000-level philosophy course or get special instructor permission.) No more than 15 hours in transfer credit can count toward the degree, and no more than three hours of individual work (PHI 4905 or PHI 3905) can count toward the required minimum.
- Prior to advance registration for a given semester, the department makes available on its web site customized descriptions for many of the courses offered that semester.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2:
- Complete 1 philosophy course
Semester 3:
- Maintain coursework from semester 2
Semester 4:
- Complete 1 additional philosophy course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5:
- Complete 1 additional philosophy course (1 of the 3 courses must be at the 3000 level) with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements —
Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Recommended semester plan
The plan below enables you to stay on track, but it is not the only way to stay on track. Generally, it is a good idea to take the area requirement classes as early as possible; in particular, PHI 3130 Symbolic Logic is best taken earlier rather than later. | Semester 1 | Credits |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Electives | 7-6 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| 2000-level philosophy course (GE-H) | 3 |
| Electives | 6-4 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Elective (or foreign language, if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Required philosophy course * | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| 3000-level philosophy elective (GE-H) | 3 |
| Required philosophy course * | 3 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Required philosophy course * | 3 |
| Required philosophy course * | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-P or GE-B) | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Required philosophy course * | 3 |
| Philosophy elective (3000 level) | 3 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Philosophy elective (3000 level) | 3 |
| Philosophy elective (4000 level) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Philosophy elective (3000 level) | 3 |
| Philosophy elective (4000 level) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
* PHH 3100 (GE-H, N), PHH 3400 (GE-H, N), PHI 3130 (GE-M), PHI 3300 (GE-H), PHI 3650 (GE-H).