The School of Philosophy offers courses in most areas of philosophy, including philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, epistemology, metaphysics, logic, philosophy of science, political philosophy, ethics, aesthetics, the history of philosophy, phenomenology and existentialism. The major in philosophy is designed to acquaint students with the fundamental problems of Western thought and introduce them to the concepts and techniques necessary for independent philosophical thinking. It is equally intended to provide a broadening perspective for the various areas of specialization in the natural and social sciences and in literature and the arts.

DEPARTMENT MAJOR REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS

Regular Major

The student must complete eight philosophy courses, at least six of which are at the upper-division level. Courses must be chosen to satisfy the distribution requirement set out below:

• One (1) course from the following list of gateway courses:
  PHIL 300, 315, 320, 350 or 360.
  Students are strongly encouraged to take one of these courses before taking any 400-level courses.
• At least one (1) course from History of Philosophy:
  PHIL 315, 320, 345, 410, 411, 415, 421, 422, 423, 424, 434
• At least one (1) course from Ethics, Law and Value Theory:
  PHIL 330, 335, 337, 340. 345, 430, 437, 440, 442, 443
• At least one (1) course from Systematic Philosophy:
  PHIL 350, 360, 385, 427, 460, 462, 463, 465, 470, 480, 485, 486

Major with an Emphasis on Ethics, Law and Value Theory

The student must complete a total of eight philosophy courses, at least six of which are at the upper-division level. Courses must be chosen to satisfy the distribution requirement set out below:

• One (1) course from the following list of gateway courses:
  PHIL 300, 315, 320, 350 or 360.
  Students are strongly encouraged to take one of these courses before taking any 400-level courses.
• At least one (1) course from History of Philosophy:
  PHIL 315, 320, 345, 410, 411, 415, 421, 422, 423, 424, 434
• At least three (3) courses from Ethics, Law and Value Theory:
  PHIL 330, 335, 337, 340, 345, 430, 437, 440, 442, 443
• At least one (1) course from Systematic Philosophy:
  PHIL 350, 360, 385, 427, 460, 462, 463, 465, 470, 480, 485, 486

If a course is used to fulfill the distribution in one category, it may not also be used to fulfill the distribution in a different category.

PHILOSOPHY MAJOR WITH HONORS

The philosophy major with honors requires the student to complete one of the major options with a GPA in the major of at least 3.5 and also complete a ninth course, PHIL 494 Senior Thesis, with a grade of “B” or better. Intent to complete the philosophy major with honors normally should be registered with the philosophy advisor no later than the second semester of the junior year.  Students who intend to graduate with honors and who are also considering graduate work in philosophy are encouraged to enroll in PHIL 350.

BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH A COMBINED MAJOR IN LINGUISTICS & PHILOSOPHY

The combined major in linguistics and philosophy with honors requires the student to complete the requirements for the major with a GPA of 3.5 or above and to complete in addition LING 497 Honors Thesis or PHIL 494 Senior Thesis with a grade of “B” or better. Intent to complete the major with honors should be registered with the undergraduate advisor no later than the second semester of the junior year.

COMBINED MAJOR IN LINGUISTICS & PHILOSOPHY WITH HONORS

The combined major in linguistics and philosophy with honors requires the student to complete the requirements for the major with a GPA of 3.5 or above and to complete in addition LING 497x Honors Thesis or PHIL 494 Senior Thesis with a grade of “B” or better. Intent to complete the major with honors should be registered with the undergraduate adviser no later than the second semester of the junior year.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND LAW

This new interdisciplinary major, unique of its kind in the country, combines in a systematic and structured way basic education in philosophy, political theory, and elements of law. It should be of particular interest to students contemplating post-graduate work in law; those interested in a career in public service or politics; and those attracted by the rigor of philosophy, and its attention to foundational issues, who are also interested in politics and law. Students are exposed to a wide range of conceptual and methodological approaches, while learning enough philosophy and political science to leave a choice of options for graduate schools.

This new major at the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences will be available from the next academic year (2009/10). Students currently enrolled at USC may also apply for transferring to this major if they can complete the distribution requirements during their remaining years of study.

For further details please contact the School of Philosophy.
Faculty Advisor for this program: Professor Andrei Marmor

The PPL Major Requirements

Nine classes, distributed as follows:

• One (1) lower-division course from the following list:
  PHIL 140g, 141g, 262g, POSC 130g
• One (1) course in logic:
  PHIL 350, 351
• One (1) course in Philosophy of Law
  PHIL 430, 431
• One (1) additional course in Moral and Political Philosophy
  PHIL 335, 337, 340, 437, 440, 442, 443
• One (1) course in the History of Philosophy or a systematic area of Philosophy
  History - PHIL 300, 315, 317, 320, 423, 426, 427, 428
  Systematic areas - PHIL 360, 462, 463, 465, 470
• One (1) course in Constitutional Politics
  POSC 335, 340, 426, 444
• One (1) course in Comparitive or International Politics and Law
  ANTH 345, POSC 345, 440, 448a
• One (1) course in Politics, Law, and Public Policy
  POSC 347, 349, 395, 443, 452
• One (1) course in the Gould School of Law
  LAW 300

MINOR IN PHILOSOPHY

The minor in philosophy requires the completion of five philosophy courses, at least four of which are upper-division courses. All minors must complete one course from each of the following categories:

• One (1) course from the following list of gateway courses:
  PHIL 300, 315, 320, 340, 350 or 360
• At least one (1) course from History of Philosophy:
  PHIL 101g, 115g, 220g, 315, 320, 410, 411, 415, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 473
• At least one (1) course from Ethics, Law and Value Theory:
  PHIL 140g, 141g, 155g, 330, 335, 337, 338, 340, 345, 347, 430, 434, 437, 440, 442, 443, 445, 446
• At least one (1) course from Systematic Topics:
  PHIL 262g, 360, 361, 385, 432, 450, 460, 462, 463, 465, 470, 480, 485, 486

OVERSEAS STUDIES PROGRAM

"Students who study abroad for a semester or a year gain a special perspective on the world that can benefit them for the rest of their lives. The experience often has a profound impact on a student academically, personally, and professionally. USC College and the Philosophy Department encourage students to consider including studying abroad in their undergraduate experience. To explore further the overseas studies program, visit the following website: http://www.college.usc.edu//overseas-studies/."