Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts
Philosophy involves a critical examination of our most fundamental beliefs about truth and reality, right and wrong. In this major, students study the traditional answers to the basic questions in Western philosophy and also the important critiques of that dominant tradition. They will explore ethical and justice issues which are crucial to contemporary legal, political, and public policy debates. Philosophy majors learn sophisticated forms of reasoning and textual analysis, and deepen their understanding of basic human problems and possibilities.
Learning outcomes. Students will:
- Explain a section from a philosophical text, a philosophical theory, a philosophical issue, or a philosophical argument.
- Identify arguments and distinguish premises and conclusions.
- Formulate an argument in support of or in opposition to a claim.
- Demonstrate familiarity with a basic problem or a major theory in a main area of philosophical inquiry.
- Demonstrate familiarity with a primary claim or critical response to a primary claim in the history of western philosophy.
Credits Required.
| Philosophy Major |
39 |
| General Education |
42 |
| Electives |
39 |
| Total Credits Required for B.A. Degree |
120 |
Coordinator. Professor Amie Macdonald, Department of Philosophy (212.237.8345, amacdonald@jjay.cuny.edu)
Advising resources. Philosophy Major Advising Resources. Major Checklist. Sample Four Year Degree Map.
Note. Additional information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2019 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose either the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained at 2018–2019 Undergraduate Bulletin.
Part One: Core Courses
Required
Critiques of Philosophical Modernity
Select One
Capstone Courses
Select one
| PHI 400 | Senior Seminar in Ethics | 3 |
| PHI 401 | Senior Seminar in the History of Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 402 | Senior Seminar in Metaphysics and Epistemology | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 21
Part Two: Ethics and Value Theory
Select oneTotal Credit Hours: 3
Part Three: History of Philosophy
Select one
| PHI 202 | Philosophical Visions of American Pluralism | 3 |
| PHI 326 | Topics in the History of Modern Thought | 3 |
| PHI 327 | 19th-century European and American Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 343 | Existentialism | 3 |
| PHI 351 | Classical Chinese Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 354/AFR 354 | Africana Philosophy | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 3
Part Four: Metaphysics and Epistemology
Select oneTotal Credit Hours: 3
Part Five: Electives
All students select three additional philosophy courses at the 300–level or above in consultation with an advisor.
Please note: No course may fill multiple requirements in the major
Total Credit Hours: 9
Total Credit Hours: 39