All majors have faculty advisors. The requirements consist of nine philosophy courses with a grade of at least C. All students must take CAS PH 300 and 310; PH 160 or 360; PH 350; one out of CAS PH 403 through PH 439; one other 400-level course (a “topics” course is recommended for students planning graduate study in philosophy); two electives at the 200 level or higher; and one other philosophy course.

College of General Studies students and students who have completed the humanities portion of the Core Curriculum receive major credit for CAS PH 150 or PH 155. Students who complete the social science portion of the CAS Core Curriculum receive major credit for CAS PH 253 or PH 254.

Students desiring specialized work in addition to the requirements of the regular major are invited to consider the following four areas: philosophy of law, politics, and society; philosophy and history of science; philosophy and the ancient world; and philosophy of the biomedical sciences. These specialized areas do not appear on the diploma. They do, however, serve as valuable guidelines for further work in addition to the major itself. Where alternatives are listed in the four specializations, it is often advisable to take both courses.

Philosophy of Law, Politics, and Society

CAS PH 254, 255, 277 are suggested, as well as at least two courses in political science, sociology, or economics.

Philosophy and History of Science

Students desiring to specialize further in this area are encouraged to take CAS PH 270; CAS PH 277 or 477; two courses in the history of science; and at least two courses in the natural sciences or the social sciences or both.

Philosophy in the Ancient World

CAS PH 300, 403 or 404, 405 or 406, and CAS CL 101 and 264 are suggested.

Philosophy of the Biomedical Sciences

Suggested are CAS PH 251 and 273; CAS PH 277, 270, or 472; directed study on philosophy of medicine, and at least two courses in biology approved by the Department of Biology.

At the beginning of the junior year, undergraduates may be admitted to a program of study leading to the completion of the requirements for both the BA and the MA degrees at the end of the academic year following the senior year. For regulations see the introductory section of this site. Details of the program are available from Professor Klaus Brinkmann, Department of Philosophy, 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.

Students with interdisciplinary interests may choose a joint major combining philosophy with another field: see the seven programs below. Joint majors coordinate courses from two disciplines in an integrated way combining breadth and depth. They have more courses than a single major, but generally fewer than a double major (that is, fewer than two single majors taken together). All joint majors have a faculty advisor in the Department of Philosophy with whom they should consult regularly in planning their program of study. Joint majors take the place of single majors and appear on diplomas. Thus, it is not necessary to be a joint concentrator in order to be a regular major, or vice versa, and the two cannot be pursued together.

Joint Major in Philosophy & Political Science

At least six courses in philosophy and six in political science, with a grade of C or higher, are required.

In philosophy the following is required: CAS PH 300, 310, 350; any one of CAS PH 253, 254, 255, 453, 454, 455; one course at the 200 level or above; and one other philosophy course.

In political science the following is required: CAS PO 391, 392; one other political theory course; three other courses in political science. Note that no more than one 100-level political science course can count toward the major. Also, it is recommended that the first course in political science be a 100- or 200-level course in one of the following subfields: American politics, public policy, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory.

One of the above courses must be either a senior seminar in political science or a topics course in philosophy.

Joint Major in Philosophy & Physics

At least five courses in philosophy and eight courses in physics, with a grade of C or higher, are required.

Prerequisites

One course in philosophy at the 100 level; CAS PY 251, 252, 353; CAS MA 123, 124.

In philosophy the following is required: CAS PH 300, 310, 270; any one of CAS PH 360, 467, 468; CAS PH 470 or a directed study in philosophy.

In physics the following is required: CAS MA 225; CAS PY 354, 355, 405, 406, 408, 451, 452.

Joint Major in Philosophy & Psychology

At least six courses in philosophy and six in psychology, with a grade of C or higher, are required.

In philosophy the following is required: CAS PH 300, 310; any two of CAS PH 270, 277, 443, 460, 474, 477; two courses in philosophy above the 100 level.

In psychology the following is required: CAS PS 101; CAS MA 115 and 116, or CAS PS 211; one course in experimental psychology; three courses in psychology above the 100 level, one of which must be at the 300 level or higher.

One of the above courses must be either a topics course in philosophy or a psychology course at the 400 level or higher, excluding directed studies.

Joint Major in Philosophy & Religion

At least six courses in philosophy and six in religion, with a grade of C or higher, are required.

In philosophy the following is required: one course in philosophy at the 100 level; CAS PH 300, 310; any one of CAS PH 245, 246, 408, 446; and two additional courses at the 200 level or above.

In religion the following is required: one 100-level course; one 200-level course; one 300-level course; one 400-level course; and two additional courses at the 300 level or above. All courses must be chosen in consultation with an advisor in the Department of Religion.

One of the above courses in philosophy or religion must be a topics course at the 400 level.

Joint Major in Mathematics & Philosophy

Prerequisites

CAS PH 100 or 110; CAS MA 123 and 124, or equivalent (MA 127 or MA 129 or advanced placement); CAS MA 225 or MA 230; CAS MA 293.

At least six courses in philosophy and six in mathematics, with a grade of C or higher, are required.

In philosophy the following is required: any three courses above the 100 level; CAS PH 468; any two courses from CAS PH 422, 443, 460, 474.

In mathematics the following is required: CAS MA 242, 531, 532; CAS MA 411/12 or 511/12; CAS MA 294 or 341 or a course numbered 400 or higher.

Joint Major in Classics & Philosophy

At least six courses in philosophy and six courses in classics, with a grade of C or higher, are required.

In philosophy the following is required: any one of CAS PH 100, 110, 150, 155, or 160; CAS PH 300; CAS PH 310; any two courses at the 200 level or above; and any one of CAS PH 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 480.

In classics the following is required: CAS CL 101 or 221; CAS CL 261; and any other four courses in classical civilization (at the 200 level or above) or classical languages. Note: Students who choose to complete the CAS foreign language requirement using a classical language may not count 100-level courses in that language toward the joint major in classics and philosophy.

Joint Major in Linguistics & Philosophy

At least two foundation courses (one each in Linguistics and Philosophy) plus 11 principal courses (at least five within each concentration) are required.

Foundation courses: in philosophy one of the following is required: CAS PH 100, 110, 160. In linguistics the following is required: CAS LX 250.

Four additional philosophy courses: CAS PH 310, 360, 463, and 422 or 443. Four addition linguistics courses: CAS LX 502, 510, 522 plus one of the following: CAS LX 523, 503, 504.

Three additional linguistics and philosophy courses above the 100-level, including at least one each in linguistics and philosophy.

See the Linguistics section of this site for additional information about the requirements for the Linguistics & Philosophy major.

The minor requires five courses in philosophy, completed with a grade of C or higher: CAS PH 300 and PH 310, one course at the 200 level or higher, one 400-level course, and one other philosophy course.

For further information on minors please see the Director of Undergraduate Advising.