Undergraduate Degree Programs
The Department of Philosophy offers two options leading to the B.A. degree in philosophy. The first is for students intending to enter graduate school in philosophy; the second is for students seeking a general liberal arts education as their ultimate academic objective or preparing for professional degrees such as law. Each option offers a balance among training in the techniques of logical analysis, study of philosophical classics, and examination of selected problems in philosophy. The Department also offers a minor in philosophy for students wishing to pursue a particular interest in philosophy in an organized way.General Education Requirements
Majors must meet the university and college general education requirements. Philosophy 1120 (120): Asian Philosophy, and Philosophy 1125 (125): Islamic Philosophy, satisfy the college cultural diversity requirement. Majors may not count philosophy courses taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis toward the degree requirements.
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Students must complete one of the following programs. At least 30, but not more than 45, hours are required for a major. A minimum of 18 hours including all courses for the major at or above 3000 (200) level must be taken in residence in the UM-St. Louis Department of Philosophy.
Option One: The Major of Philosophy
30 hours of course work are required:
1) Philosophy 3360 (160): Formal Logic |
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2) History of Philosophy |
12 hours in history of philosophy, at least 6 hours of which must be at the 4000 (300) level. Choose from the sequences Philosophy 3301-3307 (101-107), Philosophy 4401-4421 (301-321). Philosophy 1110 (10) and 1111 (11) together count as one three-hour 1000 (100) level history course. |
3) Normative Philosophy |
Choose one course from the following: |
4) Core Requirement |
Choose one course from the following: |
5) Philosophy and Other Disciplines |
Choose one course from the Philosophy 4470-4490 (370-390) sequence. |
6) Philosophy 4491 (391): Senior Seminar |
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7) Other than the courses specified above, only course at the 3000 (200) level or above satisfy the course work requirement for the major. Video courses cannot be used to satisfy course requirements for this program |
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*When appropriate, Philosophy 4451 (351): Special Topics in Philosophy may be used to satisfy 3), 4), or 5). |
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*Students in this program should take Greek, Latin, French, or German to satisfy the foreign language requirement. |
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Option 2: The Double Major
The Double Major is intended for students who plan to complete a major in another discipline as well as in philosophy. 24 hours of course work in philosophy are required:
1) Logic |
Choose one course from the following: |
2) History of Philosophy |
6 hours in history of philosophy, at least 3 hours of which must be at the 4000 (300) level. Choose from the sequences Philosophy 3301-3307 (101-107), Philosophy 4401-4421 (301-321). Philosophy 1110 (10) and 1111 (11) together count as one three-hour 1000 (100) level history course. |
3) 4000 (300)-level Courses |
A total of 9 hours or more at the 4000 (300) level other than courses used to satisfy requirements 2) and 4). Video courses cannot be used to satisfy course requirements for this program. |
4) Philosophy 4491 (391): Senior Seminar |
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*Students in this program should take Greek, Latin, French, or German to satisfy the foreign language requirement. |
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Departmental Honors
Majors with a 3.2 of higher grade point average in all courses may, with the department's consent, earn departmental honors by:
1)Completing at least 6 but nor more than 9 hours of Philosophy 4450 (350): Special Readings in Philosophy;
2) Submitting an acceptable thesis before the end of the senior year; and
3) Passing an oral examination.
In such cases, the 30 hours required for the major will include the credit earned in Philosophy 4450 (350): Special Readings for the senior thesis.
Related Area Requirements
Majors are urged to acquire a familiarty with some other field above the introductory level.
Transfer students planning to major in philosophy should consult their undergraduate advisors as soon as possible in order to have their transcripts evaluated.
The Minor
15 hours of course work in philosophy are required. All course work for the minor except Philosophy 3360 (160): Formal Logic must be taken in residence in the UM-St. Louis Department of Philosophy.
1) Philosophy 3360 (160): Formal Logic
2) A total of 12 hours at or above the 3000 (200) leve, at least 6 of which must be at the 4000 (300) level. Video courses cannot be used to satisfy course requirements for this program.
3) Minors are strongly encouraged, though not required, to take Philosophy 4491 (391): Senior Seminar.
A GPA of 2.0 or better is required in courses presented for the minor. Prospective minors are encouraged to consult with members of the department for advice in planning an appropriate sequence of courses.
2+3 B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy
For information concerning the 2+3 program, please consult the graduate degree programs by clicking here
More Information
For more information, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Andrew Black, at (314) 516-6199.