University General Course Catalog 2020-2021 
    
    Nov 25, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2020-2021 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Philosophy (Ethics, Law, and Politics Specialization), B.A.


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Encompassing ancient traditions of inquiry concerning the nature of reality and the good life as well as contemporary investigation of issues in a wide variety of disciplines, philosophy addresses fundamental questions of human experience. Students who choose philosophy think carefully and critically, interpret challenging texts, and understand better “how things in the broadest sense of the term hang together in the broadest sense of the term” (in the words of one noted philosopher). This major offers excellent preparation for any line of work in which the virtues of clear thought and expression are prized. The Ethics, Law, and Politics Specialization is a designed to offer students an opportunity for a more sustained engagement with philosophical value theory, and this track may be especially suitable for students contemplating careers in the law or other professions where a grounding in value theory is desirable or necessary. 

http://www.unr.edu/assessment/plans-and-forms/liberal-arts/philosophy-ba

Student Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • state a thesis about a philosophical problem or text, explain the thesis, and provide evidence and argument (including replies to counter-arguments) in its defense.
  • explain and interpret the ideas associated with major figures and movements in philosophy, and analyze issues and problems in the different main branches of philosophical inquiry.
  • distinguish better and worse reasoning, and recognize relevant logical relationships and patterns of inference.
  • show what is at stake in an abstract debate, historical or contemporary, and indicate how a philosophical view might have concrete implications or make a difference in theory or practice.

Contact Information


Department of Philosophy office: Jones Center 102
Telephone: (775) 784-6846
Email: philosophy@unr.edu
Website: http://www.unr.edu/philosophy/

College of Liberal Arts Advising: http://www.unr.edu/liberal-arts/student-resources/academic-advising

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Print degree planner icon at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 120
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 42 Upper-Division Units
  • Half Program Units/4 Year Institution | 60 Units

I. Silver Core General Education Requirements (24-30 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding  the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all Silver Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units minimum) - CO2


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2 courses .

C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (6 units minimum) - CO4, CO4L


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO4/CO4L courses .

D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO6 courses .

E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


F. History & Culture (6 units) - CO5


Select two:

G. Constitution (3 units) - CO8


II. Additional Silver Core Requirements (15 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Silver Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).   Students must satisfy at least one of the Additional Silver Core requirements with a course that also meets a major requirement. If students do not use the following recommended courses to satisfy the additional Silver Core requirements, they must take appropriate courses in other departments.  Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter of this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society Course - CO9


B. Diversity & Equity Course - CO10


C. Global Context Course - CO11


D. Ethics Course - CO12


The following recommended courses can also be used in the major requirement:

E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis Course - CO13


F. Application Course - CO14


The following recommended course can also be used in the major requirement:

III. Additional College Requirements (6-20 units)


Units may vary depending on initial course placement in foreign language coursework.

A. Foreign Language (0-14 units)


Successful completion of the foreign language requirement may be accomplished through one of four options:

  1. complete a fourth semester college course in a foreign language or in American Sign Language;
  2. demonstrate proficiency through placement examination or other means determined by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, including minimum CBAPE, SAT II, or IB scores;
  3. show transcript evidence of successful completion of four years of high school coursework in the same foreign language; or
  4. participate in a Studies Abroad program pre-approved by the college to meet the foreign language requirement.

B. College Breadth Requirement (6 units)


Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in the college shall be required to take, within the College of Liberal Arts, 6 units that are outside the departments in which they major or minor, and that exclude courses taken to fulfill the Core General Education requirements (Core Objectives 1 through 7).

IV. Major Requirements (36 units)


Required Courses (15 units)


A. Logic (3 units)


B. General Historical Surveys (6 units)


C. Ethical/Political Historical Surveys (6 units)


Group Distribution Requirements (21 units)


Group C - Ethics and Value Theory (15 units)


Select two courses (3 units each) from the following Core Group in consultation with your advisor.

Note:

Note:  With approval of your advisor, (a) other 400-level courses in philosophy whose topic in a particular semester focuses on ethics, law, or politics, or (b) other 400-level courses in other programs that satisfy Core Objective 12 or Core Objective 14 in the Silver Core Curriculum.  Allowable courses from other programs cannot exceed 3 units in Group C. 

V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)


The Philosophy Department accepts any minor approved by the College of Liberal Arts.

VI. Electives (0-21 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


Fall Semester (16 units)


  • (3 units) *
  • Mathematics Course (3 units)* CO2
  • Foreign Language 111 (4 units)
  • Social Sciences Course (3 units) CO6
  • Fine Arts Course (3 units) CO7
  •  

  • NOTE: * English and Math course placement is based on test scores. Please consult the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

Spring Semester (14 units)


B. Second Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


C. Third Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


  • PHIL Group C (any course not already taken, Core Group if needed) (3 units) OR
  • General Elective (300-499 level) (3 units)
  • Minor (300-499 level) (3 units)
  • General Electives (300-499 level) (9 units) 

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