Department of Philosophy — Other Information

Becoming a Philosophy Major

Students interested in any of the philosophy major programs described below must get approval from the Philosophy Department, and must sign up for them by title with the Office of the Registrar.

Courses Counting Toward the Major

No more than two 100-level courses may count toward any departmental major unless one of these courses is a First-year Seminar taught by a member of the Philosophy Department. Such a seminar may count toward the major as an additional (third) 100-level course.

No more than one course may be taken on a pass/fail basis.

PHIL 478, 479, and 601 do not normally count toward the satisfaction of the 300-level or higher major course requirements.

The Minor

Philosophy minors must take at least six courses offered by the department. These must include PHIL 100 (Introduction to Philosophy) and at least two courses numbered 300 or higher. No more than two courses at the 100 level may be included in the required six. (PHIL 478, 479, and 601 do not normally count toward the satisfaction of the 300-level or higher minor course requirements.)

Students will be assigned advisors upon notifying the Philosophy Department that they will be minoring in philosophy. Each student’s advisor will recommend course sequencing at intermediate and advanced levels suitable to the student’s needs and major program. For example, students majoring in political science may be advised to take courses relating to social and political philosophy, while students majoring in English or concentrating in linguistics may be advised to take logic before proceeding to intermediate and advanced courses.

Philosophy and Law Program of Study

This interdisciplinary program, administered by the Philosophy Department in collaboration with the College of Public and Community Service, is open to all students regardless of their majors. For complete information, see the “Philosophy and Law” section of this publication.

Transfer Credit Policy

No more than five transfer courses are normally accepted toward the major requirements in philosophy. All majors are required to complete at least five courses at the 300 level or above in the Philosophy Department at UMass Boston.