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.
Majors intending to pursue graduate studies in philosophy are advised to choose the curriculum outlined below.
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
Degree requirements for Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
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 |
| |
| 9 |
| |
| Philosophy of Law | |
| Normative Ethics | |
| Metaethics | |
| Social and Political Philosophy | |
| |
| Philosophical Concepts | |
| Metaphysics | |
| Epistemology | |
| Philosophy of Language | |
| Philosophy of Mind | |
| Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence | |
| |
| Topics in Philosophy | |
| |
| 6 |
| 3 |
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.
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 | 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 222 | Logic | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Junior year |
Fall semester | |
PHIL 104 | History of Modern Philosophy | 3 |
PHIL 300
| Philosophical Concepts
or Metaphysics or Epistemology or Philosophy of Language or Philosophy of Mind or Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| 9 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Spring semester | |
PHIL 320
| Philosophy of Law
or Normative Ethics or Metaethics or Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| 6 |
| 6 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Senior year |
Fall semester | |
PHIL 301
| Metaphysics
or Philosophical Concepts or Epistemology or Philosophy of Language or Philosophy of Mind or Philosophy of Law or Normative Ethics or Metaethics or Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence or Social and Political Philosophy or Topics in Philosophy | 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.