Area Requirements

The philosophy major consists of 30 credits of philosophy earned through at least 8 courses. 4 of the courses in the major must meet the 4 area requirements: History of Philosophy, Logic, Epistemology, and Ethical Theory. The other courses are electives. This page contains information about the courses offered in the different areas required for the major, as well as sample groupings of electives.

History of Philosophy: one of either

Phil 3001W General History of Western Philosophy: Ancient Period (4 credits)
Phil 3005W General History of Western Philosophy: Modern Period (4 credits)

Logic: one of either

Phil 1001 Introduction to Logic (4 credits)
Phil 5201 Symbolic Logic (4 credits)

Epistemology: one of either

Phil 3601W Scientific Thought (4 credits)
Phil 4105W Epistemology (3 credits)

Ethical Theory: one of

Phil 3311W Introduction to Ethical Theory (4 credits)
Phil 4310W History of Moral Theories (3 credits)
Phil 4320W Intensive Study of Historical Moral Theory (3 credits)
Phil 4321W Theories of Justice (3 credits)
Phil 4330 Contemporary Moral Theories (3 credits)
Phil 4414 Political Philosophy (3 credits)

Sample Groupings of Electives

History of Philosophy

4003 Medieval Philosophy
4010 Ancient Philosophy
4055 Kant

Logic

5201 Symbolic Logic I
5202 Symbolic Logic II
5221 Philosophy of Logic

Aesthetics

3502W Introduction to Aesthetics
4501 Principles of Aesthetics
4510 Philosophy of Individual Arts

Philosophy of Mind

3607 Philosophy of Psychology
4614 Philosophy of Psychology
4615 Minds, Bodies & Machines

Philosophy of Language

3231 Philosophy and Language
4231 Philosophy of Language
4085 Wittgenstein

Sample Concentration in Civic Engagement

1004W Introduction to Political Philosophy
3302W Moral Problems of Contemporary Society
3308W Social Justice and Community Service
One community service activity

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Contact

Director of Undergraduate Studies
phil-dus@umn.edu
758 Heller Hall

2011-2012
Prof. Naomi Scheman

Contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies to arrange a major or minor. Required forms for arranging a minor are available in the main office (831 Heller Hall).