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Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University
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Major Description and Requirements

MAJOR

A major in philosophy leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires completion of 33 credits including the following:

  1. At least 30 credits from 10 three- or four-credit courses in philosophy, exclusive of PHIL 473 and 493, and including:
    1. PHIL 106
    2. History of philosophy or major figures: two courses chosen from PHIL 141, 142, 168, 221 (CLAS 221), 222, 263, 265,311, 314, 316 and, when the topics are appropriate, 195, 295, 395, and 403
    3. Ethics and value theory: two courses chosen from PHIL 101, 108, 207, 215, 216, 219, 256, 258, 259, 269, 280, 309, 320, 341, (INTR 341), 342, (INTR 342) and, when the topics are appropriate, 195, 295, 395, and 403
    4. Metaphysics and epistemology: two courses chosen from PHIL 102, 205, 206, 208, 212, (REL 212), 255, 257, 260, 301, 312, 313 and, when the topics are appropriate, 195, 295, 395, and 403
    5. At least 21 credits from seven three- or fourcredit philosophy courses numbered 200 or above
  2. Thesis: PHIL 473 (3) or 493 (3-3). The Senior thesis is prepared and presented for evaluation in the fall term of the senior year; the Honors Thesis is prepared in the fall and winter terms, and is presented for evaluation in the winter term of the senior year.

MINOR

A minor in philosophy requires completion of at least 18 credits from six courses in philosophy, exclusive of PHIL 473 and 493. A student may not complete both a major and a minor in philosophy. In meeting the requirements of this discipline-based minor, a student may not use more than nine credits that are also used to meet the requirements of another major or minor.

  1. PHIL 106
  2. Six credits chosen from two courses from two of the following three groupings:
    1. History of philosophy or a major figure: PHIL 141, 142, 168, 221 (Classics 221), 222, 263, 265, 311, 314, 316, and 195, 295, 395, and 403 when the topics are appropriate
    2. Ethics and value theory: PHIL 101, 108, 207, 215, 216, 219, 256, 258, 259, 269, 280, 309, 320, 341 (INTR 341), 342 (INTR 342), and 195, 295, 395, and 403 when the topics are appropriate
    3. Metaphysics and epistemology: PHIL 102, 205, 206, 208, 212 (REL 212), 255, 257, 260, 301, 312, 313, and 195, 295, 395, and 403 when the topics are appropriate
  3. Of the 18 credits required for the minor, at least 12 credits must be chosen from four philosophy courses numbered 200 and above

HONORS: An Honors Program in philosophy is offered for qualified students; see department head for details.