Overview

Philosophy explores life's big questions about knowledge, existence, and value. What is it to be rational? What is the mind? What is it to be responsible for our actions? What kinds of facts and explanations do the sciences offer? What is a good life? Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy learn to assess claims and evaluate arguments in a wide range of fields. They graduate with the ability to think incisively and critically, to write and speak clearly and intelligently, and to structure and simplify complex information. Philosophy course offerings cover pure and applied philosophy; contemporary philosophy and the history of philosophy; and philosophy of race, gender, and other forms of social diversity.

Besides the BA in Philosophy (with or without pre-law emphasis), the Department of Philosophy also offers a minor in Philosophy and a certificate in Ethics.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: LA-PHIL-BA

Distinction in Major

Students graduate with Distinction in Major upon successful completion of PHIL 4999.

Accelerated Bachelor of Arts / Master of Arts in Philosophy (4+1) Program

High-achieving undergraduates can apply for the 4+1 BA/MA accelerated degree program in Philosophy, which enables them to obtain their BA and MA in Philosophy in five years rather than the usual six. Students begin taking graduate courses in their last three undergraduate semesters, and then spend their fifth year completing all remaining MA requirements. Eligible students must have a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and a 3.5 in Philosophy. Students will receive notification of eligibility at the end of their sophomore year, and applications will be accepted until October 15th of their junior year. For more information, please contact the Graduate Chair.

Awards

The Ira Lawrence Family Award - Established from a gift to the Philosophy department from Ira Lawrence, Jr. MD (CST '76), this award is given to a graduating CLA student majoring in philosophy with outstanding academic performance in the major.

The Thomas Meyer Memorial Award - Established by family, faculty and friends in memory of Thomas Meyer, former Philosophy department professor, this award is given to a CLA student majoring in philosophy for community building activities among philosophy undergraduates.

Professional Development

Philosophy is an excellent major for careers in medicine, law and business. Career options are regularly discussed in the Undergraduate Philosophy Club and featured on the Philosophy department's web site.

Contact Information

Department Office
7th Floor Mazur Hall

David Wolsdorf, Professor, Acting Chair
716 Mazur Hall
215-204-3262
david.wolfsdorf@temple.edu

Paul Crowe, Professor of Instruction, Undergraduate Advisor
747 Mazur Hall
215-204–8591
pcrowe@temple.edu

TJ Cusack, Administrator
215-204-9209
tjc@temple.edu

Irina Segal, Coordinator
215-204-1742
irina18@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2023-2024. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2023 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific courses required for this major are PHIL 1196, and either PHIL 4297 or PHIL 4298.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
    • Distribution Requirement for Humanities majors: Six upper level credits must be earned in the Social Science, Science, and/or interdisciplinary subject areas. Select from the following CLA departments and programs: Africology & African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminal Justice, Economics, Environmental Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Geography and Urban Studies, Global Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies, Liberal Arts, Neuroscience (CLA), Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in all CLA/CST coursework, and in the major department.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements. 
  • Professional Development Requirement
    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements
    • All students must complete or test out of the first and second levels of a foreign language - these courses are numbered 1001 and 1002;
    • All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd Global/World Society category; and
    • All Bachelor of Arts students must complete one of the following options:
      • Third semester of a foreign language;
      • Demonstrated proficiency beyond the third semester in a foreign language (placement exam or certification from the language department);
      • Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Requirements page;
      • Study Abroad at an approved program; or
      • Take a second General Education Global/World Society course.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements: 12 courses in Philosophy (36 credits)

¹

For scheduling reasons, especially for transfer students, another ethics-related course is often substituted.

Suggested Requirements for the Philosophy Major with a Pre-Law Emphasis

Suggested Academic Plans

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2023-2024 Academic Year

¹

PHIL 4298/PHIL 4297 may not be offered every semester. Check with advisor for offerings.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a Pre-Law Emphasis

¹

Typically offered only in the spring.

²

Course may not be offered every semester. Check with advisor for offerings.

³

PHIL 3085 must be taken with PHIL 3075.