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Philosophy: Degrees & Policies
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: BA, Minor
Concentrations: (within Minor) General Philosophy, Arts, Law, Logic, Professional Ethics, Science
Graduate: MA, PhD
Concentrations: (within Minor) General Philosophy, Arts, Law, Logic, Professional Ethics, Science
Graduate: MA, PhD
Degree Options
Major in Philosophy. The undergraduate major includes study in each of the basic areas of philosophy-ethics, logic, metaphysics and epistemology, and the history of philosophy. There is a selection of electives that expand upon these, or that composes a concentration in a specific period, topic, or philosophical approach. For more information, see the Philosophy-BA chart. Students interested in exploring further a major in philosophy are invited to contact the director of undergraduate studies.
Honors. Philosophy offers an honors program for majors in their senior year of study. This is an opportunity to explore philosophical ideas and problems more deeply.
Concentration in Professional Ethics. This series of courses is available either as a major or as a minor in philosophy. The courses address ethical issues in the health sciences, biomedical research, law, communications, engineering, and architecture, and business. They include careful consideration of various approaches to ethics and their application to professional ethics questions.
Minor in Philosophy. A minor in philosophy can be a significant contribution to studies in many areas of the arts and sciences. Requirements for a minor include study of logic, of ethics, and in some areas of the history of philosophy. A minor also provides ample opportunity for selection of courses addressing issues of special interest to the student. For more information, see the Philosophy-Minors chart.
There are several areas in which the theories and approaches of philosophy are especially useful and in which philosophy offers specialized minors. These include the arts, law, logic, professional ethics, and philosophy of science. Each of these is designed for students majoring or planning postbaccalaureate study in that area. For more information, see the charts for Philosophy of the Arts—Minor; Philosophy of Law—Minor; Logic—Minor; Professional Ethics—Minor; and Philosophy of Science—Minor.
The minor programs are administered by the director of undergraduate studies.
Honors. Philosophy offers an honors program for majors in their senior year of study. This is an opportunity to explore philosophical ideas and problems more deeply.
Concentration in Professional Ethics. This series of courses is available either as a major or as a minor in philosophy. The courses address ethical issues in the health sciences, biomedical research, law, communications, engineering, and architecture, and business. They include careful consideration of various approaches to ethics and their application to professional ethics questions.
Minor in Philosophy. A minor in philosophy can be a significant contribution to studies in many areas of the arts and sciences. Requirements for a minor include study of logic, of ethics, and in some areas of the history of philosophy. A minor also provides ample opportunity for selection of courses addressing issues of special interest to the student. For more information, see the Philosophy-Minors chart.
There are several areas in which the theories and approaches of philosophy are especially useful and in which philosophy offers specialized minors. These include the arts, law, logic, professional ethics, and philosophy of science. Each of these is designed for students majoring or planning postbaccalaureate study in that area. For more information, see the charts for Philosophy of the Arts—Minor; Philosophy of Law—Minor; Logic—Minor; Professional Ethics—Minor; and Philosophy of Science—Minor.
The minor programs are administered by the director of undergraduate studies.
Advisement
Majors, minors, and students considering a major or minor in philosophy are encouraged to discuss their interests and plans of study with:
Professor William H. Baumer, Director of Undergraduate Studies
136C Park Hall
Phone: 716-645-0164
Email: whbaumer@buffalo.edu
Professor William H. Baumer, Director of Undergraduate Studies
136C Park Hall
Phone: 716-645-0164
Email: whbaumer@buffalo.edu
Philosophy - B.A.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
A minimum grade of C in the prerequisite course.
A minimum grade of C in the prerequisite course.
Advising Notes
No more than two 100-level courses may count toward the total requirement of 36 credit hours.
Students interested in a philosophy major, honors, a specialized program in professional ethics, or a philosophy minor, as well as students interested in selected study of philosophical questions or issues, are invited to contact the director of undergraduate studies, Professor Baumer, at (716) 645-0164 or whbaumer@buffalo.edu to discuss their interests and receive additional information.
Students interested in a philosophy major, honors, a specialized program in professional ethics, or a philosophy minor, as well as students interested in selected study of philosophical questions or issues, are invited to contact the director of undergraduate studies, Professor Baumer, at (716) 645-0164 or whbaumer@buffalo.edu to discuss their interests and receive additional information.
Prerequisite Courses
One philosophy course with a minimum grade of C.
Required Courses
Ethics
One of the following: PHI 107 Ethics, PHI 238 Philosophy of Law, PHI 335 Contemporary Ethical Theory, PHI 336 History of Ethics, PHI 337 Social and Ethical Values in Medicine
Logic
One of the following: PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic, PHI 315 Symbolic Logic
Metaphysics and Epistemology
One of the following: PHI 108 Knowledge and Reality, PHI 329 Metaphysics, PHI 333 Epistemology
History of Philosophy
Two of the following: PHI 360 Ancient Philosophy, PHI 366 Medieval Philosophy, PHI 370 Early Modern Philosophy, PHI 380 Nineteenth-Century Philosophy, Kant to Nietzsche, PHI 388 Twentieth-Century Philosophy
Philosophy electives
Seven additional courses, of which four must be at the 300/400 level
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 36
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
One of the following: PHI 107 Ethics, PHI 238 Philosophy of Law, PHI 335 Contemporary Ethical Theory, PHI 336 History of Ethics, PHI 337 Social and Ethical Values in Medicine
Logic
One of the following: PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic, PHI 315 Symbolic Logic
Metaphysics and Epistemology
One of the following: PHI 108 Knowledge and Reality, PHI 329 Metaphysics, PHI 333 Epistemology
History of Philosophy
Two of the following: PHI 360 Ancient Philosophy, PHI 366 Medieval Philosophy, PHI 370 Early Modern Philosophy, PHI 380 Nineteenth-Century Philosophy, Kant to Nietzsche, PHI 388 Twentieth-Century Philosophy
Philosophy electives
Seven additional courses, of which four must be at the 300/400 level
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 36
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST AND SECOND YEARS
Required courses in ethics, metaphysics and epistemology, logic (three courses in total)
Optional: history of philosophy or elective at 200 level or higher (if general education requirements are also fulfilled)
THIRD YEAR
Required courses(s) in the history of philosophy
Two electives, preferably at the 300/400 level
FOURTH YEAR
Remaining electives at the 300/400 level
Required courses in ethics, metaphysics and epistemology, logic (three courses in total)
Optional: history of philosophy or elective at 200 level or higher (if general education requirements are also fulfilled)
THIRD YEAR
Required courses(s) in the history of philosophy
Two electives, preferably at the 300/400 level
FOURTH YEAR
Remaining electives at the 300/400 level
Philosophy - Minors
Acceptance Criteria for All Minors
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
A minimum grade of C in the prerequisite course.
A minimum grade of C in the prerequisite course.
Advising Notes
Students interested in a philosophy minor, and students interested in selected study of philosophical questions or issues, are invited to contact the director of undergraduate studies, Professor Baumer, at (716) 645-0164 or whbaumer@buffalo.edu to discuss their interests and receive additional information.
Prerequisite Courses
One philosophy course with a minimum grade of C.
Required Courses
LOGIC-MINOR
PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic
PHI 315 Symbolic Logic
One of: PHI 415 Logical Theory I, PHI 416 Logical Theory II, PHI 417 Modal Logic, PHI 418 Philosophy of Mathematics, PHI 419 Philosophy of Logic
Three additional courses, including two at the 300/400 level
PHILOSOPHY-MINOR
Logic-One of the following: PHI 115 Critical Thinking, PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic
Ethics-One of the following: PHI 107 Ethics, PHI 238 Philosophy of Law, PHI 337 Social and Ethical Values in Medicine
History of Philosophy-One of the following: PHI 360 Ancient Philosophy, PHI 366 Medieval Philosophy, PHI 370 Early Modern Philosophy, PHI 380 Nineteenth-Century Philosophy, Kant to Nietzsche, PHI 388 Twentieth-Century Philosophy
Philosophy electives-Three additional courses at the 300/400 level. No more than two independent study tutorials may count toward the fulfillment of this requirement.
PHILOSOPHY OF LAW-MINOR
PHI 115 Critical Thinking or PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic
PHI 238 Philosophy of Law
PHI 338 Law and Morality, PHI 340 Law and Responsibility, or PHI 443 Topics in Legal Responsibility
One of: PHI 328 Philosophy of Language, PHI 333 Epistemology, PHI 335 Contemporary Ethical Theory, PHI 341 Social Philosophy, or PHI 342 Political Philosophy
One additional course from: PHI 338, PHI 340, PHI 443, PHI 328, PHI 333, PHI 335, PHI 341, PHI 342
PHILOSOPHY OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS-MINOR
PHI 115 Critical Thinking
PHI 117 Professional Ethics
PHI 337 Social and Ethical Values in Medicine or PHI 238 Philosophy of Law
PHI 335 Contemporary Ethical Theory or PHI 336 History of Ethics
Two additional 300/400-level courses
PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE-MINOR
PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic
PHI 315 Symbolic Logic
PHI 221 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science or PHI 321 Philosophy of Natural Sciences
PHI 370 Early Modern Philosophy
Two additional 300/400-level courses
PHILOSOPHY OF THE ARTS-MINOR
PHI 108 Knowledge and Reality
PHI 115 Critical Thinking
PHI 344 Aesthetics Theory and Criticism or PHI 345 Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art
PHI 360 Ancient Philosophy or PHI 354 Chinese and Japanese Philosophy
Two additional 300/400-level courses
Summary
Total required credit hours for the minor: 18
PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic
PHI 315 Symbolic Logic
One of: PHI 415 Logical Theory I, PHI 416 Logical Theory II, PHI 417 Modal Logic, PHI 418 Philosophy of Mathematics, PHI 419 Philosophy of Logic
Three additional courses, including two at the 300/400 level
PHILOSOPHY-MINOR
Logic-One of the following: PHI 115 Critical Thinking, PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic
Ethics-One of the following: PHI 107 Ethics, PHI 238 Philosophy of Law, PHI 337 Social and Ethical Values in Medicine
History of Philosophy-One of the following: PHI 360 Ancient Philosophy, PHI 366 Medieval Philosophy, PHI 370 Early Modern Philosophy, PHI 380 Nineteenth-Century Philosophy, Kant to Nietzsche, PHI 388 Twentieth-Century Philosophy
Philosophy electives-Three additional courses at the 300/400 level. No more than two independent study tutorials may count toward the fulfillment of this requirement.
PHILOSOPHY OF LAW-MINOR
PHI 115 Critical Thinking or PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic
PHI 238 Philosophy of Law
PHI 338 Law and Morality, PHI 340 Law and Responsibility, or PHI 443 Topics in Legal Responsibility
One of: PHI 328 Philosophy of Language, PHI 333 Epistemology, PHI 335 Contemporary Ethical Theory, PHI 341 Social Philosophy, or PHI 342 Political Philosophy
One additional course from: PHI 338, PHI 340, PHI 443, PHI 328, PHI 333, PHI 335, PHI 341, PHI 342
PHILOSOPHY OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS-MINOR
PHI 115 Critical Thinking
PHI 117 Professional Ethics
PHI 337 Social and Ethical Values in Medicine or PHI 238 Philosophy of Law
PHI 335 Contemporary Ethical Theory or PHI 336 History of Ethics
Two additional 300/400-level courses
PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE-MINOR
PHI 215 Introduction to Deductive Logic
PHI 315 Symbolic Logic
PHI 221 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science or PHI 321 Philosophy of Natural Sciences
PHI 370 Early Modern Philosophy
Two additional 300/400-level courses
PHILOSOPHY OF THE ARTS-MINOR
PHI 108 Knowledge and Reality
PHI 115 Critical Thinking
PHI 344 Aesthetics Theory and Criticism or PHI 345 Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art
PHI 360 Ancient Philosophy or PHI 354 Chinese and Japanese Philosophy
Two additional 300/400-level courses
Summary
Total required credit hours for the minor: 18
Updated: May 8, 2008 3:36:27 PM