Philosophy investigates issues about the fundamental nature of reality, the relation of the mind to the body, the existence of a divine being, and the basis of our most fundamental values: moral, aesthetic, and spiritual. The department offers courses that relate traditional philosophical questions to contemporary work in linguistics, literature, and the social, physical, and biological sciences. In addition, the department offers several courses that make a careful study of the classic texts in philosophy, ancient and modern.

Study and Research Opportunities

• B.A. in Philosophy; B.A. in Philosophy with a concentration in Religious Thought; and Undergraduate Minor
• M.A., Ph.D.
• Students who have done exceptional work in a certain area of philosophy may be given the option of writing a senior essay, normally completed in one quarter.

Philosophy09.pdf

High School Preparation
High school students planning to major in philosophy at UC Santa Cruz should obtain a solid background in English, mathematics, sciences, social sciences, and writing skills while completing the courses required for UC admission.

While it is not a condition of admission, students from California community colleges may complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) in preparation for transfer to UC Santa Cruz.

Transfer course agreements and articulation between the University of California and California community colleges can be accessed on the ASSIST web site.

Professor and Philosophy Department Chair Paul Roth was named as a distinguished visiting scholar at the University of Provence in Aix en Provence, France. Professor Roth received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago. His research interests include philosophy of social science, epistemology, history of analytic philosophy, and philosophy of history.

Careers

Business
Ethics (legal, business, clinical, etc.)
Government service
Health care, nursing, etc.
Law
Ministry; other religious work
Planning, architecture, design
Social work, counseling
Software development
Teaching (all levels)
Writing (journalism, publishing, editing)

These are only samples of the field’s many possibilities.

Education Abroad Program (EAP)
The Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study at more than 100 host universities and colleges in 34 countries as part of their regular UC academic program. Students receiving financial aid can apply their award to a program abroad. Students participating in EAP may petition to count up to two courses toward upper-division credit in the major.

Introductory. Philosophy 9, Introduction to Logic, and at least one of the courses from the following list: Philosophy 11, Introduction to Philosophy; Philosophy 22, Introduction to Ethical Theory; Philosophy 24, Introduction to Ethics: Contemporary Moral Issues; and Philosophy 28, Environmental Ethics; or any 5-unit topical course (courses numbered 80).

History of Philosophy. Two courses from the following list:  Philosophy 100A, Ancient Greek Philosophy; Philosophy 100B, The Rationalists; or Philosophy 100C, The Empiricists.

At least six additional courses numbered 100A and above. Note that the courses counted toward fulfilling the history of philosophy requirement cannot be counted among these six additional courses. See the UC Santa Cruz General Catalog for a complete list of philosophy courses, or go to the Department web site. The following courses may not be used to fulfill major requirements: Philosophy 195A and 195B, Senior Essay, and Philosophy 199, Tutorial. All upper-division courses should be completed at UC Santa Cruz.

Senior Seminar. At least one course numbered 190 is required to fulfill the senior comprehensive requirement.

Normal progress for a philosophy major is as follows: first year, take the introductory courses; second year, complete the required two courses in the history of philosophy; second, third, and fourth years, upper-division course work, plus work in advanced seminars. Students are advised to complete lower-division and history of philosophy requirements by their third year at the latest. Transfer students are particularly advised that completion of one or more courses in the history of philosophy is a prerequisite for upper-division courses in philosophy.

Introductory. Philosophy 9, Introduction to Logic, and at least one of the courses from the following list: Philosophy 11, Introduction to Philosophy; Philosophy 22, Introduction to Ethical Theory; Philosophy 24, Introduction to Ethics: Contemporary Moral Issues; and Philosophy 28, Environmental Ethics; or any 5-unit topical course (courses numbered 80).

History of Philosophy. Philosophy 100A (Ancient Greek Philosophy) and either Philosophy 100B (The Rationalists) or Philosophy 100C (The Empiricists).

Upper-division.These must include the following:
1. Either Philosophy 170 (Interpretation of Religion) or Philosophy 171 (Faith & Reason)
2. Two other upper-division or graduate philosophy of religion courses (must be approved by the Director of the Concentration)
3. At least one Advanced Seminar (190 series)
4. Any two other upper-division philosophy courses. The following are excluded:  Philosophy 195A, Philosophy 195B, and Philosophy 199.

Concentration in Religious Thought. Four upper-division courses in the area of religious thought from programs on campus such as anthropology, literature, history, history of art and visual culture, philosophy, psychology, and sociology, chosen through consultation with the Director of the Concentration in Religious Thought.