Philosophy is the oldest academic subject in the world and its concerns have given rise to nearly all other specialized academic disciplines. The primary motivation of philosophy is the same as the underlying motivation of all academic thought; the desire for knowledge and understanding. Philosophy is an attempt to understand our reality, our attempts at knowledge, our quest for a good and meaningful lives and most ambitiously, our construction of a society that might make these good lives possible.
Course work in philosophy will explore the major areas of the discipline. Logic and critical thinking courses will explore the methodology of philosophic discourse and academic discourse in general. The other core courses will explore the epistemological, metaphysical, ethical and political dimensions of philosophy. The philosophy program also offers courses exploring the history of philosophy from its beginnings in the ancient world through contemporary philosophy. The program also offers a collection of courses which explore the philosophic concerns manifested in the world's religions. If you have a curious mind and seek understanding, then philosophy may be the major for you.

Philosophy graduates find careers in law, business, government, counseling, teaching, writing, computer systems analysis and other areas involving analytic skills.

• English proficiency: ENGL 1A, ESL 26 or equivalent.
• Mathematics proficiency: MATH 105 or equivalent.
A minimum of 90 units required to include:
• All General Education requirements
• Core courses (17 Units)
• Support courses (8 Units)
• Electives (8 Units)
• Other graduation requirements as appropriate.

NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in all Core and Support courses for the Degree.

AA = Associate in Arts Degree.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an Associate in Arts Degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

PHIL 2 Introduction to Social & Political Philosophy (4 units)
PHIL 4 Introduction to Philosophy (4 units)
PHIL 8 Ethics (5 units)
and a minimum of 4 units from the following courses:
PHIL 1 Critical Thinking & Writing (5 units)
PHIL 7 Introduction to Symbolic Logic (5 units)
PHIL 50 Introduction to Critical Thinking (4 units)

PHIL 20A History of Western Philosophy from Socrates through St. Thomas (4 units)
PHIL 20B History of Western Philosophy from the Renaissance through Kant (4 units)
PHIL 20C Contemporary Philosophy: 19th & 20th Century Thought (4 units)
PHIL 22 Introduction to World Religions: the Search for Spiritual Meaning (4 units)
PHIL 24 Comparative World Religions: East (4 units)
PHIL 25 Comparative World Religions: West (4 units)

NOTE: Students may also use courses listed under "Support Courses" for electives.

ANTH 2A Cultural Anthropology (4 Units)
ART 2A Art History (4.5 units)
or ART 2AH Honors Art History (4.5 units)
ART 2B Art History (4.5 units)
or ART 2BH Honors Art History (4.5 units)
ART 2C Art History (4.5 units)
or ART 2CH Honors Art History (4.5 units)
ART 12 Introduction to Asian Art (4.5 units)
BUSI 70 Business & Professional Ethics (4 units)
HIST 4A History of Western Civilization I (4 Units)
HIST 4B History of Western Civilization II (4 Units)
HIST 4C History of Western Civilization III (4 Units)
or HIST 4CH Honors History of Western Civilization (4 Units)
HIST 9 History of Contemporary Europe (4 Units)
or HIST 9H Honors History of Contemporary Europe (4 Units)
HIST 18 Introduction to Middle Eastern Civilization (4 Units)
HIST 19 History of Asia: China/Japan (4 Units)
HUMN 1A Humanities & the Modern Experience I (4 Units)
HUMN 1B Humanities & the Modern Experience II (4 Units)
ENGL 26 Language, Mind & Society (4 Units)
or LING 26 Language, Mind & Society (4 Units)
POLI 3 Introduction to Political Philosophy/Political Theory (5 Units)
or POLI 3H Honors Introduction to Political Philosophy/Political Theory (5 Units)
POLI 9 Political Economy (4 Units)
or POLI 9H Honors Political Economy (4 Units)
PSYC 1 General Psychology (5 Units)
PSYC 4 Introduction to Psychobiology (4 Units)
SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology (5 units)