Dec 21, 2024

2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog

Philosophy, BA

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Philosophy (love of wisdom) explores fundamental issues that have intrigued and perplexed human beings for millennia, including the nature of reality, human knowledge and truth, mind and personal identity, and the application of ethical principles to moral problems.

The study of philosophy fosters the ability to think critically, to identify and analyze complex problems, to use higher-order reasoning skills through the consistent application of deductive and inductive logical principles, to comprehend multiple perspectives on a specific topic, to communicate effectively and persuasively, and to formulate solutions and evaluate possible outcomes on a wide range of subjects.

Students of philosophy learn the value of living an examined life, not only by studying the great thinkers of the past, but also by articulating and defending their own carefully formulated ideas.

Religious Studies Concentration

The religious studies track within the BA in philosophy is an interdisciplinary program that integrates the interactions between religion and other spheres of human activity, such as art, music, literature and politics. Philosophy majors with a concentration in religion will gain a deeper understanding of religion as an impulse, a practice and a historical force. Program graduates may pursue careers as an outreach worker, missionary, humanitarian services worker or may pursue careers in ministry.

Degree Requirements

University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENGL 1303 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

INCM 1305 - International and Intercultural Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 2333 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1324 - Finite Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1332 - Math in Society Credit(s): 3
MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Science

Six hours from:

HORT 1231 - Cultivating Plants Credit(s): 2
HORT 1131 - Cultivating Plants Lab Credit(s): 1
BIOL 1306 - Biology for Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1307 - Biology for Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1308 - Biology for Non-Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1309 - Biology for Non-Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2301 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2381 - Local Flora or Fauna Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1305 - Intro to Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1371 - Chemistry and Society Credit(s): 3
ENVR 1301 - Intro to Environmental Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1301 - Earth and Society Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1303 - Earth Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1304 - Earth Through Time Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1305 - Conceptual Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1307 - Conceptual Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1310 - Fundamentals of Electronics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2326 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3

F. American History

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

H. Social and Behavioral Science

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
FORS 2351 - Introduction to Human Dimensions and Recreation Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1307 - Survey of Mass Communication Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

I. Component Area Option

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

BUSI 2304 - Business Communication Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2311 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3
FREN 1311 - Elementary French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 1312 - Elementary French II Credit(s): 3
GERM 1311 - Elementary German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 1312 - Elementary German II Credit(s): 3
PORT 1311 - Elementary Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 1312 - Elementary Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1311 - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1312 - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1301 - Beginning American Sign Language Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1302 - Intermediate American Sign Language Credit(s): 3

Foundation of Knowledge

Language Proficiency

Complete foreign language proficiency through the SFA 2312 level or sign language through the SFA 2302 level.

Nine hours required.

If foreign language is not selected in I. Component Area Option of the University Core Curriculum, then 12 hours may be required from this area.

FREN 1311 - Elementary French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 1312 - Elementary French II Credit(s): 3
FREN 2311 - Intermediate French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 2312 - Intermediate French II Credit(s): 3
GERM 1311 - Elementary German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 1312 - Elementary German II Credit(s): 3
GERM 2311 - Intermediate German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 2312 - Intermediate German II Credit(s): 3
PORT 1311 - Elementary Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 1312 - Elementary Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
PORT 2311 - Intermediate Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 2312 - Intermediate Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1311 - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1312 - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 2311 - Intermediate Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 2312 - Intermediate Spanish II Credit(s): 3

Additional Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1304 - Introduction to World Religions Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2303 - Introduction to Formal Logic Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

Philosophy Major

The Philosophy, Major will consist of an 18-hour core and one of the following concentrations:

Philosophy
Religious Studies

Minor

Select an academic minor with the guidance of an advisor. The minor must contain at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours.

General Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree. University Core Curriculum co-requisite lab hours will be applied to this area of the degree.

Degree Total Hours: 120

Double-dipping Rule

Double-dipping is using the same course to fulfill two different requirements in a degree plan. Normally, students may not double-dip more than six to seven hours across their degree plan. Anything beyond that must be approved by the dean.

Writing Requirement

All students completing a degree program in the College of Liberal and Applied Arts must meet the standards for writing in the discipline set by their major. Students should see their departmental advisor for those standards.

College Advanced Hours

A minimum of 33 hours of advanced coursework (courses numbered 3000-4999) is required.

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (CAPP). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.

Texas Success Initiative Program

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See the TSI information catalog page.

Degree Map

The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this degree.

Freshman Year

Fall

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
B. Mathematics Credit(s): 3
C. Life and Physical Science Credit(s): 3
I. Component Area Option Credit(s): 3

Spring

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3
C. Life and Physical Science Credit(s): 3
E. Creative Arts Credit(s): 3
I. Component Area Option Credit(s): 3

Sophomore Year

Fall

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture Credit(s): 3
H. Social and Behavioral Science Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
I. Component Area Option Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3

Spring

GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3
LAA Humanities Credit(s): 3
I. Component Area Option Credit(s): 3
A. Communication Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2303 - Introduction to Formal Logic Credit(s): 3

Philosophy, BA

Religious Studies Concentration

Degree Requirements

University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

Three hours from:

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

C. Life and Physical Science

Six hours from:

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

F. American History

Six hours from:

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

H. Social and Behavioral Science

Three hours from:

I. Component Area Option

Three hours from:

Three hours from:

Foundation of Knowledge

Language Proficiency

Additional Language, Philosophy and Culture

Philosophy Major

Minor

General Electives

Degree Total Hours: 120

Double-dipping Rule

Writing Requirement

College Advanced Hours

Grade Requirements

In-Residence Requirement

Texas Success Initiative Program

Degree Map

Freshman Year

Fall

Spring

Sophomore Year

Fall

Spring

Junior Year

Fall

Spring

Senior Year

Fall

Spring