Philosophy

Area of Study Overview

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The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program, with an area of study in Philosophy, prepares adults for career change, advancement, or graduate education, while providing personal enrichment. The program explores philosophies that have shaped Western Civilization as well as critical thinking and the development of one's own philosophical views. Students gain a broad general knowledge of the traditional liberal arts disciplines while developing a greater depth of knowledge of philosophy.

Degree Requirements

  • A minimum of 18 credits must be upper level, 3000 level or above, within the area of study.

Credit Distribution

I. General Education Featured Courses (45 Credits)

TESU Featured Courses are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.  For more information see About Our General Education Program.  To plan your program please contact an academic advisor.

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)

ENC-1010Writing for Success

3

ENC-1020Writing for Success II

3

COM-2090Public Speaking

3

MAT-1050Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics

3

SOS-1100Fact, Fiction, or Fake? Information Literacy Today

3

For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Intellectual and Practical Skills.

B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)

SOC-1010Our Changing World: An Introduction to Sociology

3

ETH-2200Leading the Way: A Path Towards Ethical Leadership

3

POS-1100American Government

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Civic and Global Leadership.

C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (15 Credits)

SOC-2100Marriage and the Family

3

HIS-1130American History I

3

FIL-1100Exploring American Cinema

3

Select two featured courses from the list below:
SOC-2910Criminology

3

HIS-1140American History II

3

HIS-1210Introduction to World History I

3

HUM-1030Introduction to the Humanities III: Music

3

LIT-2050American Literature I

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Knowledge of Human Cultures.

D. Scientific Knowledge (6 Credits)

EAS-1010General Earth Science

3

BIO-2080The Science of Nutrition

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Scientific Knowledge.

II. Area of Study (45 Credits)

A. Required Courses (21 Credits)

-TRSFR REQ.
Intro to Philosophy

3

-TRSFR REQ.
Logic

3

-TRSFR REQ.
Ethics

3

Three credits in each of the following three areas with 6 credits in one area:
-TRSFR REQ.
Major Field of Philosophy

3-6

-TRSFR REQ.
Major Philosophers

3

-TRSFR REQ.
History of Philosophy

3

B. Philosophy Electives (9 Credits)

PHI-3700Philosophy of Religion

3

REL-4050World Religions: Exploring Diversity

3

PHI-1300Introduction to Critical Reasoning

3

C. Humanities Electives (12 Credits)

-
Humanities Electives

12

Complete any 12 credits in the Humanities area.

D. Capstone (3 Credits)

LIB-4950Liberal Arts Capstone

3

III. Electives (30 Credits)

For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.

TRANSFER REQUIREMENT: TESU accepts credits in transfer from accredited institutions as well as non-collegiate providers. View information and resources on where you may find additional learning experiences.

Total Credit Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Philosophy program will be able to:

  • discuss the main points of and approaches to philosophies that have shaped Western civilization;
  • compare and contrast ideas and methods from non-Western cultures to those of the West;
  • evaluate competing ethical theories and their applications to contemporary issues; and
  • express personal philosophical views.