University of Texas Arlington

A major in philosophy is built on the central texts in the history of Western thought. Philosophy focuses on the perennial problems raised by the encounter of human beings with their history, culture, and the world. It emphasizes methods of analysis and clarity of argumentation. Students who major in philosophy have the broadest possible preparation in the liberal arts.

Students who complete a major in philosophy are prepared to enter either graduate programs or the world of work. In addition to providing vocational skills and a solid foundation for graduate work in the discipline, a major in philosophy constitutes appropriate and strong preparation for graduate work in other academic disciplines as well as in professional programs in a broad variety of fields. The Department of Philosophy and Humanities is prepared to work with students who are interested in postgraduate professional education to assure that their preparation meets disciplinary and/or professional criteria and expectations in areas including law, business administration, and theology. The faculty of the Department of Philosophy and Humanities also work with advisors in the Health Professions Advising Office of the College of Science to ensure that philosophy majors pursuing a pre-medical curriculum are kept abreast of required and recommended courses outside the major.

Students should have completed 30 hours of core with 30 hours at UT Arlington, or 40 hours of core with 12 hours at UT Arlington with an overall GPA greater than 2.0. Before being accepted into the major in philosophy, students must also have passed a course in symbolic logic (PHIL 2311 or the equivalent). Students may be accepted as pre-philosophy majors if the above standards are not met.

English

Six hours of composition.

Literature

Three hours of English or modern and classical languages literature or other approved substitute.

Liberal Arts Elective

Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing.

History

1311, 1312.

Political Science

2311, 2312.

Modern and Classical Languages

1441, 1442, 2313, and 2314, or equivalent.

Mathematics

Six hours (MATH 1301 or higher; credit will not be given for both MATH 1301 and MATH 1302).

Science

Eight hours in lab science (biology, chemistry, geology and/or physics).

Fine Arts

Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music, or theatre arts.

Social/Cultural Studies

Three hours from designated courses in archaeology, classical studies, communication, economics, history, humanities, linguistics, political science, social or cultural anthropology, social/political/cultural geography, social psychology, sociology and women's studies or other courses which have been approved by the Undergraduate Assembly. (See the undergraduate philosophy advisor for a list of recommended courses).

Electives

Sufficient to give the total number of hours required for a degree.

Major

33 hours of philosophy to include 1310 or 2300 and 2311; 3301; 3303; 3307; at least one course from the "metaphysics and epistemology" group (3318, 3321, 4385, 4386, 4388, 4389); at least one course from the "value theory" group (2312, 2313, 3316, 3319, 3320, 3330, 4387); and nine other advanced hours-with a total of at least six hours at the 4000 level (including any 4000-level "metaphysics and epistemology" or "value theory" courses, but not including 4394). In addition, students in the pre-professional track must take 4394 and complete a senior thesis sometime during their final year.

Minor

18 hours, at least six of which must be 3000/4000 level.

Total

120 hours, at least 36 of which must be 3000/4000 level.

English

Six hours of composition.

Literature

Three hours of English or modern and classical languages literature or other approved substitute.

Liberal Arts Elective

Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing.

History

1311, 1312.

Political Science

2311, 2312.

Modern and Classical Languages

1441, 1442, 2313, and 2314, or equivalent.

Mathematics

Six hours (MATH 1301 or higher; credit will not be given for both MATH 1301 and MATH 1302).

Science

Eight hours in lab science (biology, chemistry, geology and/or physics).

Fine Arts

Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music, or theatre arts.

Social/Cultural Studies

Three hours from designated courses in archaeology, classical studies, communication, economics, history, humanities, linguistics, political science, social or cultural anthropology, social/political/cultural geography, social psychology, sociology and women's studies or other courses which have been approved by the Undergraduate Assembly. (See the undergraduate philosophy advisor for a list of recommended courses).

Electives

Sufficient to give the total number of hours required for the degree: In consultation with the undergraduate philosophy advisor and in light of individual aims and interests, students in the general track are to select electives concentrated primarily in one or two areas of secondary emphasis-for example, business, classical studies, cognitive science, computer science engineering, history, humanities/liberal arts, mathematics, or political science.

Major

27 hours of philosophy to include 1310 or 2300 and 2311; 3307; and 18 additional hours (12 advanced hours, with at least six hours at the 4000 level).

Optional Minor

General-track students may pursue a minor after filing a statement of intent with their undergraduate advisor. Requires 18 hours, at least six of which must be 3000/4000 level.

Total

120 hours, at least 36 of which must be 3000/4000 level.

Students interested in the Pre-Law Option must complete the requirements for the Pre-Professional Track degree in philosophy, while selecting their elective course work in consultation with the Philosophy/Pre-Law faculty advisor.

Students interested in the Mind, Language, and Cognition (MLC) Option must complete the requirements for the General Track degree in philosophy, with a minor in linguistics, and psychology as their area of secondary emphasis for elective course work. Although specific major, minor, and elective courses should be selected in consultation with the MLC advisor in philosophy, typical courses include LING 2301, LING 3311, LING 3330, LING 3340, LING 4317, LING 4389 (Semantics), PHIL 2300, PHIL 2311, PHIL 3307, PHIL 3317, PHIL 3318, PHIL 3321, PHIL 4385, PHIL 4386 or PHIL 4388 (Hermeneutics), PHIL 4389 (Mind), PSYC 1315, PSYC 2443, PSYC 2444, PSYC 4332, PSYC 4338, and PSYC 4355. (Students who intend to apply to graduate school may elect to complete the requirements for the Pre-Professional Track degree in philosophy, with the minor in linguistics and elective course work in psychology.)

Students interested in the Philosophy and Classics Option typically complete the requirements for the General Track degree in Philosophy, with a minor in Classical Studies, and are required to fulfill their language requirement with Greek; with advisors' approval, students may choose to substitute Latin, French or German. Specific major, minor and elective courses should be selected in consultation with the philosophy undergraduate advisor and the director of Classical Studies. (Students who intend to apply to graduate school may elect to complete the requirements for the Pre-Professional Track degree in Philosophy, with the minor in Classical Studies, and the language hours in Greek.)

A minor in philosophy requires 18 semester hours, at least six of which must be 3000/4000 level.

All philosophy majors are directed in their program by a designated undergraduate advisor. In addition, the following special advisors are available:

Graduate Work in Philosophy: Majors who are interested in graduate work in philosophy should consult the departmental graduate advisor during their junior year.

Pre-Law: Majors who intend to apply to law school will find courses in logic, philosophy of law, political philosophy, and ethics particularly useful. Interested students should consult the Philosophy/Pre-law faculty advisor for assistance in course selection and application procedures.

Philosophy/Business Administration Minor: It is possible to combine the philosophy major with a business administration minor in preparation for admission to the UT Arlington MBA program. (See Liberal Arts Major/Business Administration Minor section in the introduction of the College of Liberal Arts.) The Philosophy/Business Administration faculty advisor will assist students in coordinating their program and meeting admissions requirements either at UT Arlington or other schools.

Pre-Theological: Majors who plan to enter a school of theology should consider a minor in classics and foreign language preparation in Greek and/or Latin. Electives in ethics and philosophy of religion are particularly recommended. Interested students should consult the Philosophy/Pre-ministerial faculty advisor for additional assistance.

Pre-Medical: A departmental faculty advisor is available to assist majors who intend to apply to medical school. The major program will be coordinated with the Health Professions Advising Office of the College of Science.

Students majoring in philosophy may demonstrate competency in oral communication by (a) successful completion of a specific course approved by the Department of Philosophy and Humanities for this purpose, or (b) successful completion of any course from among those approved by the Undergraduate Assembly.

Students majoring in philosophy may demonstrate competency in computer use by (a) successful completion of PHIL 3307, or (b) successful completion of any course from among those approved by the Undergraduate Assembly for this purpose, or (c) passing the University proficiency examination in computer use.

Chair

Associate Professor Williford

Associate Professors

Baker, Burgess-Jackson, Byrd, Chiasson, Nussbaum, Reeder

View Course Descriptions for:

Philosophy (PHIL)

Humanities (HUMA)