Listed below are the requirements for the Philosophy major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all of the university general education requirements and the College of Letters & Science breadth and other degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. You are strongly advised to consult both the philosophy advisor and your L&S advisor to ensure you stay on track towards a degree. Read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages.
Philosophy Major Requirements
At UWM, incoming freshmen interested in studying philosophy are advised to begin with the general introductory course, PHILOS 101, though there are several courses, especially at the 200 level, that are open to students without a background in philosophy. The 300 level includes courses designed to provide more in-depth treatments of traditional philosophical areas. Courses at the 400 level are devoted to the history of philosophy. Courses at the 500 level deal with specific issues and problems.
The College of Letters & Science requires that students complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. Students also must attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, they must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.
Students must fulfill the capstone/research requirement in the senior year. It is recommended strongly that students become proficient in at least one related academic discipline. Each major will be asked to submit a paper for inclusion in a portfolio that is kept in the department. Typically, this will be a paper written for PHILOS 685. It should be stressed that this is not an additional requirement for graduation as a major. Rather, it is part of the department's ongoing effort to evaluate and improve our major program.
A minimum of 30 credits in philosophy is required.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PHILOS 211 | Elementary Logic 1 | 3 |
| PHILOS 430 | Great Thinkers of the Ancient Period | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of Medieval Philosophy | ||
| Great Thinkers of the Modern Period | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Philosophers | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Modern Ethical Theories | ||
| Great Moral Philosophers | ||
| Political Philosophy | ||
| The Philosophy of Law | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Mind and Knowledge | ||
| Buddhist Philosophy | ||
| Metaphysics | ||
| Philosophy of Science | ||
| Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Action, Will, and Freedom | ||
| Select any philosophy course numbered 500 or above (excluding the course you choose to satisfy the capstone requirement) | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 credits of philosophy electives | 9 | |
| Capstone/Research Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Advanced Topics: | ||
| Senior Capstone Research Seminar: | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
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PHILOS 212, or a more advanced course in logic may be substituted for PHILOS 211 with the permission of the department chair.