The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 30 of those credits in philosophy. Fifteen of these credits must be selected from upper-level philosophy courses.
Students whose main interests in philosophy are ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of law or public policy (and who may wish to pursue graduate work in law, political science, economics and related areas) will probably want to choose the ethics and public policy concentration.
Student learning outcomes
Philosophy core outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a good knowledge of and facility with the methods and concepts of modern, analytic philosophy
- Demonstrate a good knowledge of the current state of academic discussion of some of the central philosophical topics
- Demonstrate some knowledge of the history of philosophy, including both major themes and movements and some specific figures and systems
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically and systemically about philosophical problems, both abstract and practical, and to write clearly and cogently about them
- Demonstrate the ability to construct and analyze arguments clearly and cogently, independently of their subject matter
Ethics and public policy concentration-specific outcomes
- Demonstrate a good knowledge of public policy in areas such as politics, economics and law
- Demonstrate a good knowledge of philosophical questions about public policy in areas such as politics, economics and law
Degree requirements for Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in ethics and public policy
Course | Title | Hours |
| 30 |
| |
PHIL 103 | History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
PHIL 104 | History of Modern Philosophy | 3 |
PHIL 222 | Logic | 3 |
PHIL 490 | Seminar in Philosophy | 3 |
| |
PHIL 300 | Philosophical Concepts | 3 |
or PHIL 301 | Metaphysics |
or PHIL 302 | Epistemology |
or PHIL 303 | Philosophy of Language |
or PHIL 304 | Philosophy of Mind |
or PHIL 332 | Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence |
| 6 |
| Philosophy of Law | |
| Normative Ethics | |
| Metaethics | |
| Social and Political Philosophy | |
| |
| 3 |
| 6 |
HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics 1 | 3 |
or PHIL 202 | Ethics of Artificial Intelligence |
or PHIL 211 | History of Ethics |
or PHIL 212 | Ethics and Applications |
or PHIL 213 | Ethics and Health Care |
or PHIL 214 | Ethics and Business |
2 | 1-3 |
| 0-6 |
| 47-55 |
Total Hours | 120 |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Non-PHIL course options for major requirements (choose two)
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Freshman year |
Fall semester | Hours |
UNIV 101 | Introduction to the University | 1 |
UNIV 111 Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I () | 3 |
| 1-3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Term Hours: | 14-16 |
Spring semester | |
HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II () | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 6 |
| Term Hours: | 16 |
Sophomore year |
Fall semester | |
PHIL 103
| History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
or History of Modern Philosophy | 3 |
PHIL 201
| Introduction to Ethics 1
or Ethics of Artificial Intelligence 1 or History of Ethics 1 or Ethics and Applications 1 or Ethics and Health Care 1 or Ethics and Business 1 | 3 |
UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication () | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Spring semester | |
PHIL 104
| History of Modern Philosophy
or History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
PHIL 222 | Logic | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Junior year |
Fall semester | |
PHIL 320
| Philosophy of Law
or Normative Ethics or Metaethics or Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| 3 |
| 9 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Spring semester | |
PHIL 320
| Philosophy of Law
or Normative Ethics or Metaethics or Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| 3 |
| 9 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Senior year |
Fall semester | |
PHIL 300
| Philosophical Concepts
or Metaphysics or Epistemology or Philosophy of Language or Philosophy of Mind or Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| 3 |
| 9 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Spring semester | |
PHIL 490 | Seminar in Philosophy | 3 |
| 12 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
| Total Hours: | 120-122 |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.