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2016-2017 University Catalog
Philosophy, BA
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Banner Code: LA-BA-PHIL
Web: philosophy.gmu.edu
College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: Philosophy
The degree program in philosophy covers the major issues and areas in philosophy and serves the needs of students who wish to pursue graduate studies in philosophy or emphasize philosophy while acquiring a broad liberal arts education. Students can use this major as preparation for such professions as law or government service, or complement other interests by taking a double major in philosophy and a related field of study.
This undergraduate program offers students the option of applying to the accelerated master’s degree program. See Philosophy, BA/Philosophy, Accelerated MA for specific requirements.
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see Academic Policies .
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Degree Requirements
Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees , including Mason Core requirements. Students pursuing a BA in philosophy must complete additional college requirements for the BA degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Students pursuing this degree must complete at least 33 credits within the major, earning a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. At least 21 credits must be at the 300 level or above, including at least 3 credits in PHIL 421 /422 . If a course counts for the requirement in analytic or continental philosophy, and also for the ethics and political philosophy requirement, then both requirements are fulfilled with that course.
BA in Philosophy with no Concentration
One course (3 credits) in logic chosen from:
Two courses (6 credits) in history of philosophy
One course (3 credits) in the analytic tradition chosen from:
When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 , PHIL 421 , PHIL 422 , or PHIL 425 may be used to fulfill this requirement.
One course (3 credits) in the continental tradition chosen from:
When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 , PHIL 421 , PHIL 422 , or PHIL 425 may be used to fulfill this requirement.
One course (3 credits) in ethics and social and political philosophy chosen from:
When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 , PHIL 421 , PHIL 422 , or PHIL 425 may be used to fulfill this requirement.
Five or six elective courses (15 - 18 credits) in philosophy
Students choose electives from any philosophy courses including those listed above that are not used to meet another requirement. If both the analytic or continental philosophy and the ethics and political philosophy requirements above are met with the same course, the student will complete six elective courses.
▲ Concentration in Philosophy and Law (PHLW)
The concentration in philosophy and law offers philosophy majors the opportunity to focus their study of philosophy in a way that prepares them for the study of the law.
In addition to the specific courses listed below, other relevant courses may be applied to the requirements for this concentration with prior written approval of the undergraduate director. One course (3 credits) in logic chosen from:
Two core courses (6 credits) in history of philosophy
One course (3 credits) in the analytic tradition chosen from:
When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 , PHIL 421 , PHIL 422 , or PHIL 425 may be used to fulfill this requirement.
One course (3 credits) in the continental tradition chosen from:
When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 , PHIL 421 , PHIL 422 , or PHIL 425 may be used to fulfill this requirement.
One course (3 credits) in philosophy and law
Two courses (6 credits) chosen from:
Three elective courses in philosophy (9 credits)
Students choose electives from any philosophy courses including those listed above that are not used to meet another requirement.
▲ Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
This is a high credit concentration for students interested in a program that explores the interdisciplinary connections between philosophy, political science, and economics.
Students pursuing this concentration, similar to all students pursuing a BA in philosophy, must complete at least 33 credits in philosophy earning a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course. No course may be used to fulfill more than one requirement. In addition to the specific courses listed below, other relevant courses may be applied to the requirements for this concentration with prior written approval of the undergraduate director.
One course (3 credits) in logic chosen from:
Two courses (6 credits) in history of philosophy
One course (3 credits) in the analytic tradition chosen from:
When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 , PHIL 421 , PHIL 422 , or PHIL 425 may be used to fulfill this requirement.
One course (3 credits) in the continental tradition chosen from:
When the subject matter is appropriate and with the prior written approval of the undergraduate director, PHIL 391 , PHIL 421 , PHIL 422 , or PHIL 425 may be used to fulfill this requirement.
Required courses for concentration (39 credits)
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. All senior seminars (PHIL 421 , PHIL 422 ) in philosophy are writing intensive. Philosophy majors should consult the undergraduate director for other courses that can be taken to fulfill this requirement. Mason Core (40 credits)
Note: some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Expand each item below for a link to specific course lists for each category.
Foundation Requirements (15-19 credits)
Core Requirements (22 credits)
Synthesis/Capstone Requirement (minimum 3 credits)
College Level Requirements for the BA degree
In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the course work below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).
Philosophy or religious studies (3 credits)
Fulfilled by any course in philosophy or religious studies (PHIL, RELI) except for PHIL 323 , 324 , 327 , 393 , 460 . PHIL 253 and RELI 235 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.
Social and behavioral science (3 credits)
3 credits in addition to the university-wide requirement in social and behavioral science for a total of 6 credits. The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and university requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing any course in ANTH, CRIM, ECON, GOVT, HIST (except 100 or 125), LING, PSYC, or SOCI and these courses in GGS: 101 , 103 , 110 , 301 , 303 , 304 , 305 , 306 , 315 , 316 , 320 , 325 , 330 , 357 , 380 .
Non-Western culture (3 credits)
3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture in addition to the course used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding. A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits
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