Philosophy
College of Arts & Sciences
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Introduction to Philosophy
CAS PH 100
Introduces the nature of philosophical activity through careful study of major philosophical topics. Topics may include the nature of reality, knowledge, God's existence, and the significance of human life. Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 12-June 26)
O1 (IND) Arranged... Open SeatsWalter HoppOnline section O1: Meets online every Mon & Wed 11 am-12 noon for a live class. Nonstandard course datesSummer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 10 am-12:30 pmLocation: CAS 315 ... Open SeatsSummer 2 (June 29-August 14)
O2 (IND) Arranged... Open SeatsWalter HoppOnline section O2: Meets online every Mon & Wed 11 am-12 noon for a live class. Nonstandard course datesFor information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information. -
Introduction to Ethics
CAS PH 150
This course focuses on a set of interrelated questions about morality: What is morality? How should I live? What does morality require of us in our daily lives, if it requires anything at all? Are there any universal moral truths? Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Mon./Wed./Thurs. 1-3:30 pmLocation: MCS B29 ... Open Seats -
Politics and Philosophy
CAS PH 155
Online offering. What is justice? What are the foundations of property rights, liberty, and equality? Are anarchism and utopianism defensible? This course is an introduction to major themes and questions in political philosophy. It includes a study of classical and modern texts, as well as contemporary political issues. Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 12-June 26)
O1 (IND) Arranged... Open SeatsSusanne SreedharOnline section O1: Meets online every Mon & Wed 9-10 am for a live class. Nonstandard course datesSummer 2 (June 29-August 14)
O2 (IND) Arranged... Open SeatsSusanne SreedharOnline section O2: Meets online every Mon & Wed 9-10 am for a live class. Nonstandard course datesBU Financial Aid: Summer Term HUB CoursesFinancial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2026, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2026 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.
For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information. -
Existentialism
CAS PH 248
Undergraduate Prerequisites: one philosophy course or sophomore standing. - Examines how existentialist thinkers grappled with some of the most problematic aspects of the human condition. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Wed./Thurs. 1-3:30 pmLocation: CAS B20 ... Open Seats -
Medical Ethics
CAS PH 251
Undergraduate Prerequisites: one philosophy course or sophomore standing. - Surveys ethical issues that arise in connection with medicine and emerging biotechnologies. Examines topics such as the right to healthcare, research on human subjects, euthanasia, abortion, cloning, genetic selection, disabilities, and the biomedical enhancement of human capacities. Students can expect to gain not only training in the concepts and methods of moral philosophy and the logic of argumentation, but also the resources needed for assessing ethically difficult questions that healthcare professionals routinely face. Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Wed./Thurs. 10 am-12:30 pmLocation: SHA 202 ... Open SeatsSummer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 1-3:30 pmLocation: FLR 121 ... Open Seats -
History of Ancient Philosophy
CAS PH 300
Undergraduate Prerequisites: one philosophy course or sophomore standing. First Year Writing Semina r (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - Prereq: one philosophy course or sophomore standing and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120). A survey of ancient Greek philosophy, with an emphasis on Plato and Aristotle. Topics include the fundamental nature of reality, how we know anything about it, wisdom, virtue, and human happiness. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Ethical Reasoning, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Thurs. 1-4:30 pmLocation: CDS B62 ... Open Seats -
History of Modern Philosophy
CAS PH 310
Undergraduate Prerequisites: one philosophy course or sophomore standing. - An examination of seventeenth- and eighteenth century philosophy from Descartes to Kant, with emphasis on the nature and extent of knowledge, the relation of mind to body, the nature of personal identity, the problem of free will, and the problem of evil. Readings from Rene Descartes, Princess Elizabeth, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Benedict Spinoza, David Hume, and Immanuel Kant. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Research and Information Literacy. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 10 am-12:30 pmLocation: STH 113 ... Open Seats -
The Philosophy of Love
CAS PH 445
Undergraduate Prerequisites: two philosophy courses, or consent of instructor. - What is love? What different forms does it take (e.g., parental love, romantic love)? Is love non-rational or are there reasons of love? We aim to answer these and other philosophical questions by focusing on contemporary philosophical writings on love. Effective Summer 2026, this course fulfills a single requirement in the following BU HUB area: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
Financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2026, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2026 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.