Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Communication: Students will express philosophical ideas in either oral or written format.
  • Degree Program Writing Competency: Students will express philosophical ideas clearly and logically in written format.
  • Ethical Analysis: Identify major ethical paradigms and analyze ethical issues with regard to them.
  • Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Break down complex ideas into their elements; perform reasoning tasks efficiently and correctly; clearly identify problems and solutions

Related Links

Philosophy, Major Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Modern Language Requirement0-9
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major Requirements33
Electives45

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

BA Modern Language Requirement

BA degree requires language proficiency at the 103 class level. Exemption by placement or examination is possible.

Complete 0-9 credits0-9
Total Hours0-9

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major Requirements

  • 17 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 17 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Core Requirements
Select one of the following:3
Formal Logic 1
Symbolic Logic 1
PHIL 123Ethics 13
Select one of the following:3
Social and Political Philosophy 1
Philosophy of Law and Justice 1
Select one of the following:3
Philosophy of Religion 1
Asian Philosophy 1
PHIL 371Ancient Western Philosophy 13
PHIL 372Modern Western Philosophy 13
Select one of the following:3
Existentialism and Phenomenology 1
Philosophy of Mind 1
Subtotal21
Philosophy Electives
Select four of the following courses, at least three credits at 300 level or above:12
Introduction to Philosophy 1
World Religions 1
Philosophy in Literature 1
American Philosophy 1
Philosophy of Human Existence 1
Philosophy of Art 1
Environmental Ethics 1
Medical/Health Care Ethics 1
Business Ethics 1
Social and Political Philosophy 1
Philosophy of Law and Justice 1
Philosophy of Gender and Sex 1
Ethics, Technology, and the Future 1
Philosophy of Religion 1
Asian Philosophy 1
Philosophy of Natural Science 1
Philosophy of Mind 1
Modern Authors and Issues 1
Existentialism and Phenomenology 1
Independent Study 1
Selected Topics (repeatable to six credits) 1
Subtotal12
Total Hours33
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. International study programs (short-term, semester, and year-long)
  2. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
  3. Student-faculty research
  4. Presenting papers at conferences
  5. Involvement in Ethics Bowl

PHILOSOPHY - BA (5 64)
This program is effective as of Fall 2020.
Revised 08.25.2020
UCC 03.24.2020

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

Recommended Four-Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
PHIL 123 Ethics 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
 Hours16
Spring
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy 3
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
PHIL 113 Formal Logic 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
MODL 101Modern Language Requirement 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Free Elective 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours15
Spring
PHIL 140 World Religions 3
MODL 102Modern Language Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
PHIL 362 Philosophy of Mind 3
PHIL 341 Philosophy of Religion 3
MODL 103Modern Language Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
PHIL 371 Ancient Western Philosophy 3
PHIL 331 Social and Political Philosophy 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
PHIL 372 Modern Western Philosophy 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Philosophy Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
PHIL 375 Existentialism and Phenomenology 3
PHIL 490 Independent Study 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 5 64
Revised: 05.23.2023