BA in Philosophy

University of California, Los Angeles

Learning Outcomes

The Philosophy major has the following learning outcomes:

Demonstrated solid foundation in logic, the history of philosophy (ancient, medieval, and modern), ethics and value theory, and metaphysics and epistemology

Critical analysis and evaluation of arguments in historical texts and the contemporary philosophical literature

Demonstrated ability to formulate and clearly present valid and sound arguments

Development of oral and written skills that display skill at argument and the ability to engage honestly with difficult and controversial topics

The Major

Required: Thirteen upper-division (100 series) or graduate (200 series) philosophy courses (52 units), including Philosophy 100A, 100B, 100C. Seven of the 13 courses must be distributed among the groups into which the undergraduate and graduate courses are divided — history of philosophy; logic, semantics and philosophy of science; ethics and value theory; and metaphysics and epistemology. Students must take two courses in each of three of the groups and one course in the remaining group.

Contract courses (199) may be applied toward the major but not toward a group requirement. A maximum of 8 units of course 199 may be applied toward the major but not toward a group requirement. Courses 100A, 100B, 100C may not be applied toward any group requirement. No course used to satisfy the major or preparation requirements may be taken on a P/NP basis.