B.A. in Philosophy

Curriculum

The B.A. in Philosophy program at West Chester University of Pennsylvania is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of philosophical concepts, theories, and methods. The program requires a minimum of 120 credits, including 30 credits of major requirements and philosophy electives.

General Education Requirements

• Academic Foundations:
  • First Year Experience requirement (4 credits)
  • English Composition requirement (6-7 credits)
  • Mathematics requirement (3-4 credits)
  • Interdisciplinary requirement (3 credits)
  • Diverse Communities requirement (3 credits)
  • Ethics requirement (3 credits)
• Distributed Disciplinary Foundations:
  • Science requirement (6-8 credits)
  • Behavioral & Social Science requirement (6 credits)
  • Humanities requirement (6 credits)
  • Arts requirement (3 credits)

Additional Baccalaureate Requirements

• University Requirements:
  • Writing Emphasis requirement (9 credits)
  • Speaking Emphasis requirement (9 credits)
• Degree Requirements:
  • Language/Culture requirement (0-15 credits)
  • Capstone requirement (1-15 credits)

Major Requirements

• Required Courses:
  • PHI 190: Logic (3 credits)
  • PHI 270: History of Ancient Philosophy (3 credits)
  • PHI 272: History of Modern Philosophy (3 credits)
  • PHI 355: Political Philosophy (3 credits)
  • PHI 412: Ethical Theories (3 credits)
  • Choose one of the following philosophy courses:
    • PHI 204: Yoga, Karma, and Buddha
    • PHI 205: Yin-Yang, Dao, and Zen
    • PHI/WOS 405: Feminist Theory
• Capstone Requirement:
  • PHI 499: Philosophical Concepts and Systems (3 credits)
• Philosophy Electives:
  • Select 3 PHI elective courses (9 credits)

Electives

• Select 18-33 credits in electives to reach the required 120 credits for the B.A.

Accelerated B.A. in Philosophy to M.A. in Philosophy Program

The accelerated program allows B.A. in Philosophy students to take up to 12 graduate credits that can be applied to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. To be considered for the accelerated program, students must have completed 75 credits with a minimum of 18 philosophy credits, and must have earned at least a B in all philosophy courses.

Sample Course Plan

The following is a sample suggested course sequence for this program:

Year One:

• Fall:
  • PHI 100 or PHI 101: Creating Meaning or World Philosophies (3 credits)
  • WRT 120: Effective Writing I (3 credits)
  • FYE 100X: First Year Experience (4 credits)
  • Foreign Language 101 (3 credits)
  • Gen Ed Distributive Course (3 credits)
• Spring:
  • PHI 190: Logic (3 credits)
  • MAT 103: Introduction to Mathematics (3 credits)
  • WRT 2XX: 200-Level WRT Course (3 credits)
  • Foreign Language 102 (3 credits)
  • Gen Ed Distributive Course (3 credits)
  • Gen Ed Distributive Course (3 credits)

Year Two:

• Fall:
  • PHI 270: History of Ancient Philosophy (3 credits)
  • PHI XXX: Philosophy Elective (3 credits)
  • Foreign Language 201 (3 credits)
  • or Culture Cluster
  • Gen Ed Distributive Course (3 credits)
  • Gen Ed Distributive Course (3 credits)
• Spring:
  • PHI 272: History of Modern Philosophy (3 credits)
  • SPK 208: Public Speaking (3 credits)
  • Foreign Language 202 (3 credits)
  • or Culture Cluster
  • Gen Ed Distributive Course (3 credits)
  • Gen Ed Distributive Course (3 credits)

Year Three:

• Fall:
  • PHI XXX: Philosophy Elective (3 credits)
  • Culture Cluster (if needed) (3 credits)
  • or Free Elective
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
• Spring:
  • PHI 350: Philosophical Topics: 20th Century and Beyond (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)

Year Four:

• Fall:
  • PHI 412: Ethical Theories (3 credits)
  • PHI XXX: Philosophy Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
• Spring:
  • PHI 499: Philosophical Concepts and Systems (3 credits)
  • PHI XXX: Philosophy Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)

Total Credits: 121

Outline:

• Major Requirements:
• Required Courses:
• PHI 190 Logic (3 credits)
• PHI 270 History of Ancient Philosophy (3 credits)
• PHI 272 History of Modern Philosophy (3 credits)
• PHI 355 Political Philosophy (3 credits)
• PHI 412 Ethical Theories (3 credits)
• Choose one of the following philosophy courses: (3 credits)
• PHI 204 Philosophies and Religions of India
• PHI 205 Yin-Yang, Dao, and Zen
• PHI/WOS 405 Feminist Theory
• Capstone Requirement:
• PHI 499 Philosophical Concepts and Systems (3 credits)
• Philosophy Electives:
• Select 3 PHI elective courses.
(9 credits)
• Electives:
• Select 18-33 credits in electives to reach the required 120 credits for the B.A.
(18-33 credits)

West Chester University

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Overview:

West Chester University is a public university located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It offers a diverse range of academic programs, fostering a vibrant campus community with a strong emphasis on student engagement and personal growth. The university prides itself on its commitment to providing students with a transformative educational experience that helps them discover their passions and find their element.

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