University of Colorado DenverCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Colorado Denver

PROGRAMSThe Philosophy Major

Overview

Majoring in philosophy offers students an opportunity for self-exploration, while also providing the necessary foundations for applying philosophy in real-world situations. A prime goal of the philosophy curriculum is the development of general habits of critical thought and analysis.

Apply Now: Submit Your Online Application TodayThe program leads to a B.A. degree, with the completion of the general education requirements as well as those for the major (listed below).

The major in Philosophy requires the study of three major periods: ancient, modern, and twentieth-century philosophy. Classes are discussion-oriented with students reading selected texts from a group of major philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche, Mill, Marx, and Foucault. The curriculum also includes extensive course work in ethical theory and in applied ethics such as bioethics and business ethics. In addition, course work includes inquiry into the nature of being and knowledge.

Requirements for the Major

A total of 36 semester hours is required for the philosophy major, at least 18 of which must be taken at UC Denver. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in each course. For those students who qualify for and fulfill the requirements for graduation with Honors, a total of at least 39 hours is required. Courses taken at another institution must be approved by an advisor in the Philosophy Department for application to the major.

Click here for a major requirements form. (PDF)

REQUIRED COURSES

Of the total 36 hours required, at least 18 of those must be taken at the upper-division level (i.e. courses numbered in the 3000s and 4000s).

A. Core Courses: 12 hours total, 3 per course

  1. PHIL 2441 - Logic and Language 
  2. PHIL 3002 - Greek Philosophy 
  3. PHIL 3022 - Modern Philosophy (It is recommended, though not required, that PHIL 3002 be taken before PHIL 3022) 
  4. One of the following:
    • PHIL 4740 Empiricism
    • PHIL 4760 Kant
    • PHIL 4735 Rationalism

B. Subject Area Courses: 12 hours - Upper Division

  1. A course primarily in Metaphysics (PHIL 3350) and/or Epistemology (PHIL 3360) (may include a course in an individual philosopher). 
  2. A course in Ethics or Social and Political Philosophy (may NOT include PHIL 3250 or PHIL 4242). 
  3. One course in 19th Century Philosophy
  4. One course in 20th Century Philosophy 

C. Electives at Any Level: 12 hours

Can include PHIL 1012-Introduction to Philosophy. No more than six hours in Religious Studies.

D. Course Required for Graduation with Honors: PHIL 4950

Honors Program

Course Performance:

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Colorado at Denver offers honors recognition based on the students GPA:

  • Summa Cum Laude: 3.8 grade point average within the major, 3.7 overall grade point average.  
  • Magna Cum Laude: 3.6 grade point average within the major, 3.5 overall grade point average. 
  • Cum Laude: 3.4 grade point average within the major, 3.3 overall grade point average.

Two-semester Thesis Project:

All students interested in graduating with honors in philosophy must complete the 36 credit hours required for the major and an additional 3 to 6 thesis credit hours (PHIL4950) taken over a two semester period. In order to register for PHIL4950 students must have the following:

  • Overall GPA of 3.3
  • A major GPA of 3.4
  • At least 12 upper level philosophy credit hours in residence at UC-Denver
  • Approval of a written proposal for a thesis project

In consultation with an advisor, a student selects two department faculty members to supervise the thesis project and to serve as the project committee. One of those selected may be the student's advisor, but this is not required. To complete the requirements for honors, students produce a thesis that presents the results of the research project and pass an oral examination on that thesis before the project committee. Both, the research project and oral examination must be judged worthy of honors by the committee.