Philosophy asks big questions: What can we know? What exists? What is right? Students learn to approach these questions through careful instruction that emphasizes clarity of thought and expression, thorough reasoning, and the analysis of diverse viewpoints. These skills support intellectual and personal growth. They are, also, valuable assets in professions that demand complex thinking and prepare students ideally for graduate training in law, medicine, and other fields. The Philosophy Major perfectly complements a Major in a Business discipline. By combining skills in critical thinking with a business education, students gain a distinct advantage in the job market.

While acquainting students with philosophy’s rich history, the Major emphasizes the application of philosophical methods to contemporary problems, especially in ethics. The department regularly offers courses in environmental ethics, healthcare ethics, business ethics, and the ethics of technology/artificial intelligence. Majors will have a chance to broaden their knowledge of ethical issues in business by close engagement with the university’s nationally recognized Hoffman Center for Business Ethics.

For further information about degree requirement policies and guidelines, see the Degree Requirements page.

Major Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses
Metaphysics and Epistemology – Select one:		3
PH 252	Theories of Knowledge
PH 253	Theories of Reality
PH 270	Consciousness and Experience
PH 271	Other Minds
PH 272	Perception and Perspectives
Value Theory – Select one:		3
PH 310	Ethical Theory
PH 311	Social Philosophy
PH 312	Liberty, Morality and Law
PH 316	Feminist Theory
PH 320	Human Rights and Global Governance
Applied Ethics – Select one:		3
PH 130	Business Ethics: Corporate Social Responsibility
PH 131	Business Ethics: Philosophy of Work
PH 133	Business Ethics: International Business Ethics
PH 134	Healthcare Ethics
PH 135	Special Problems in Business and Professional Ethics
PH 138	Environmental Ethics
PH 140	Disability, Values & Society
PH 142	Sports, Games & Values
PH 160	AI, Technology, and Values
Four PH electives not otherwise required.		12
PH elective not otherwise required or an elective from any other department, with permission from PH major advisor.		3
Total Credits		24

General Degree Requirements

Foundations for Success (15 Credits)

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
FDS 100	Falcon Discovery Seminar	3
Communications and Writing
Select one from:
EMS 101	Critical Reading and Writing	3
or EMS 101L	Critical Reading and Writing with Lab
or EMS 102	Critical Reading and Writing for ESOL
or EMS 102L	Critical Reading and Writing for ESOL with Lab
And one from:
EMS 104	Multimodal Communication	3
or EMS 105	Multimodal Communication for ESOL
Information Technology
CS 100	Solving Business Problems with Information Technology	3
Mathematical Sciences
Select one from:
MA 105	Mathematical Foundations for Business	3
or MA 105L	Mathematical Foundations for Business with Lab
or MA 107	Applied Calculus for Business
or MA 107L	Applied Calculus for Business with Lab
or MA 131	Calculus I
or MA 131L	Calculus I with Lab
Total Credits		15

Context and Perspectives (18 Credits)

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Students must take six courses, one in each category of Context and Perspectives:
Culture, Change, and Behavior
Globalization
Institutions and Power
Race, Gender, and Inequality
Scientific Inquiry
Values, Ethics, and Society
Total Credits		18

Business Dynamics/Business Administration Minor (18 Credits)

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
All courses are required:
AC 115	Introduction to Financial Reporting and Analysis	3
EC 111	Principles of Microeconomics	3
FI 118	Introduction to Finance	3
LA 100	Business Law	3
MG 116	Human Dynamics in Organizations	3
ST 113	Business Statistics	3
Total Credits		18

Communication Intensive

All students are required to take a three-credit course designated as a Communication Intensive. This requirement can be met within a variety of course subjects in both Arts & Sciences and Business. Communication Intensive courses are designated with a "CI" in the course schedule. Transfer students with a minimum of 30 credits will be waived from the Communication Intensive requirement.

Please note that certain majors have an additional three-credit Communication Intensive built into their major requirements, separate from the general CI requirement.

Additional Requirements

Modern Language Requirement (6 Credits)

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Two Modern Language courses (must be two semesters of the same language, regardless of proficiency level)		6
Total Credits		6

Unrestricted Electives (39 Credits)

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Select 13 elective courses		39
Total Credits		39

Total: 120 Credits