BA in Philosophy

Area of Study Overview

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The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in Philosophy prepares adults for career change, advancement, or graduate education, while providing personal enrichment. The program explores philosophies that have shaped Western Civilization as well as critical thinking and the development of one's own philosophical views. Students gain a broad general knowledge of the traditional liberal arts disciplines while developing a greater depth of knowledge of philosophy.

Degree Requirements

  • A minimum of 18 credits must be upper level, 300 level or above, within the area of study.

Credit Distribution

I. General Education Featured Courses (45 Credits)

TESU Featured Courses are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.  For more information see About Our General Education Program.  To plan your program please contact an Advisor.

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)

ENC-101English Composition I

3

ENC-102English Composition II

3

COM-209Public Speaking

3

MAT-105Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics

3

SOS-110Critical Information Literacy

3

For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Intellectual and Practical Skills.

B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)

SOC-101Our Changing World An Introduction to Sociology

3

ETH-230Ethics in the Digital Age

3

POS-110American Government

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Civic and Global Leadership.

C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (15 Credits)

SOC-210Marriage and the Family

3

HIS-113American History I

3

FIL-110American Cinema

3

Select two featured courses from the list below
SOC-291Criminology

3

HIS-114American History II

3

HIS-121Introduction to World History I

3

HUM-103Introduction to the Humanities III: Music

3

PHI-130Introduction to Critical Reasoning

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Knowledge of Human Cultures.

D. Scientific Knowledge (6 Credits)

EAS-101General Earth Science

3

BIO-208The Science of Nutrition

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Scientific Knowledge.

II. Area of Study (45 Credits)

A. Required Courses (21 Credits)

-TRSFR REQ.Intro to Philosophy

3

-TRSFR REQ.Logic

3

-TRSFR REQ.Ethics

3

Three credits in each of the following three areas with six credits in one area:
-TRSFR REQ.Major Field of Philosophy

3-6

-TRSFR REQ.Major Philosophers

3

-TRSFR REQ.History of Philosophy

3

B. Philosophy Electives (9 Credits)

PHI-370Philosophy of Religion

3

C. Humanities Electives (12 Credits)

-Humanities Electives

12

Complete any 12 credits in the Humanities area.

D. Capstone (3 Credits)

LIB-495Liberal Arts Capstone

3

III. Electives (30 Credits)

For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.

TRANSFER REQUIREMENT: TESU accepts credits in transfer from accredited institutions as well as non-collegiate providers. View information and resources on where you may find additional learning experiences.

Total Credit Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Philosophy program will be able to:

  • discuss the main points of and approaches to philosophies that have shaped Western civilization;
  • compare and contrast ideas and methods from non-Western cultures to those of the West;
  • evaluate competing ethical theories and their applications to contemporary issues; and
  • express personal philosophical views.