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Undergraduate Program

See Also: Course Descriptions | Undergraduate Admissions

ariel view of the UT campusWhether you want to major or minor in philosophy, it is essential that you discuss your plans and anticipated program with a member of our department's faculty so as to ensure that you will meet all requirements in a timely fashion

To successfully earn a Bachelor's degree, the College of Arts & Sciences has specified the following basic skills and distributions requirements can be fulfilled by these philosophy courses:

Basic Skills

  • Communicating through Writing (WC) Courses: PHIL 241, 243, 246, 290, 320, 322, 324, 326, 340, 382, 390  
  • Communicating Orally (OC) Courses: PHIL 242 + 244

For Broadened Perspectives

  • Arts and Humanities:  PHIL 110, 111, 117, 118, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 290

Distribution Requirements (Majors in Arts & Sciences Only)

  • Part A: Divisional Distribution Requirements
    Humanities:
    • Philosophical and Religious Thought: PHIL 110, 111, 117, 118, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 290, 340, 382
    • Study or Practice of the Arts: PHIL 350, 353
  • Part B: Upper Level Distribution Requirements
    Foreign Studies:
    • Asia: PHIL 374, 376, 379
    • Europe: PHIL 320, 322, 324, 326

Philosophy Major

The undergraduate major consists of a prerequisite logic course, normally Philosophy 130 or 135, together with 24 hours of philosophy courses numbered 200 or above.  Of these 24 hours, or eight courses, the major requires:

24 hours of philosophy courses numbered 200 or higher. Of these eight courses, three must be:

  • one course in ethics, choosing from:
    • Ethics (Philosophy 340) or
    • Contemporary Ethical Theory (Philosophy 440)
  • two courses in the history of philosophy:
    • Ancient Western Philosophy (Philosophy 320) and
    • 17th & 18th Century Philosophy (Philosophy 324)

In addition, of the 24 hours, at least four must be at the 300-level or above and one at the 400-level or above.

Philosophy Minor

If you wish to earn a minor in philosophy as part of your Bachelor's degree, the following must be part of your undergraduate program:

    • Six philosophy courses numbered 200 or higher

For information about undergraduate programs and UT's admissions process, telephone the Office of Admissions at (865) 974-2184.

Philosophy Honors Major

Coming Fall 2008. Please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for details.