University General Course Catalog 2025-2026 (DRAFT) 
    
    Dec 23, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2025-2026 (DRAFT)

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


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.

Program 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. (C)
  • 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. (CT)
  • identify better and worse reasoning, and recognize relevant logical relationships and patterns of inference. (QR)
  • 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. (CT)

Contact Information


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

College of Liberal Arts Student Center
Thompson Building 101
(775) 682-8745
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

I. 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 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


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO5  courses.

NOTE: Students who do not take CH 203 for CO8 are advised to take PSC 207C  or

  instead.

G. Constitution (3 units) - CO8


II. Additional Core Requirements (15 units maximum)


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

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


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

B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


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

C. Global Context - CO11


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

D. Ethics - CO12


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

E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


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

F. Application - CO14


The following recommended courses 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. World Language Requirement (0-14 units)


Students seeking this bachelor’s degree must demonstrate proficiency in a world language other than English equal to a fourth semester course level through one of the following options:

  1. complete a fourth semester college course in a world language other than English;
  2. demonstrate proficiency through a means determined by the Department of World Languages and Literatures including but not limited to minimum standardized test scores (CBAPE, SAT II, or IB), attaining a minimum aptitude on an accredited world language assessment test, or providing transcript evidence of a high school or equivalent diploma in which English was not the language of instruction; or,
  3. participate in a study abroad language program pre-approved by the Department of World Languages and Literatures to meet the world language requirement. 

Note: Four years of high school world language instruction does not automatically satisfy this 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 8).

IV. Major Requirements (30 units)


B. Historical and Conceptual Background (6 units)


C. Analytical Reasoning (3 units)


D. History of Value Theory (3 units)


F. Value Theory (9 units)


V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)


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

VI. Electives (4-27 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


Fall Semester (16 units)


  • (3 units) *
  • Quantitative Reasoning (3 units) CO2 *
  • Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) CO6
  • World Language 111 (4 units)
  • PHIL course from Foundational group (3 units)
  • * Please consult the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog for information on English and Math placement.

Spring Semester (16-17 units)


  • (3 units) CO1, CO3
  • Physical & Natural Phenomena (3-4 units) CO4L
  • World Language 112 (4 units)
  • College Breadth Requirement (3 units)
  • PHIL course from Foundational group (3 units)

B. Second Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


  • (3 units)
  • Physical & Natural Phenomena (3 units) CO4
  • History & Culture (3 units) CO5 **
  • World Language 211 (3 units)
  • PHIL course from History of Value Theory group (3 units).

Spring Semester (15 units)


  • (3 units)
  • History & Culture (3 units) **
  • World Language 212 (3 units)
  • College Breadth Requirement (3 units)
  • If not already satisfied: PHIL course from HIstory of Value Theory group. Otherwise, coursework for minor or additional major(s), or CO9–CO12 requirements not yet completed (3 units).
  • ** Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog for allowable combinations of CH courses. Students who do not take CH 203 for CO8 are advised to take PHIL 207C or PHIL 453 instead.

C. Third Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


  • (3 units)
  • PHIL course from Value Theory group (3 units)
  • Coursework for minor or additional major(s), CO9–CO12 requirements not yet completed, or general elective (9 units)

Spring Semester (15 units)


  • PHIL course from Value Theory group (3 units).
  • Coursework for minor or additional major(s), CO9–CO12 requirements not yet completed, or general elective (12 units).

D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (12-13 units)


  • PHIL course from Value Theory category (3 units).
  • Coursework for minor or additional major(s), CO9–CO12 requirements not yet completed, or general elective (9-10 units).