Degrees and Programs

Degrees and Programs

The Department of Philosophy offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, an undergraduate minor, and individualized tutorials in philosophy. Strongly qualified undergraduate students also have the opportunity to pursue both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a four-year combined BA/MA program.

 

BA in Philosophy

This typically consists of 36 credits in philosophy and additional recommended courses in related fields. The following courses are required of all philosophy majors:

  • Philosophy 109 (Modern Logic)
  • Philosophy 140 (History of Ancient Philosophy)
  • One of the following:
    – Philosophy 141 (History of Medieval Philosophy)
    – Philosophy 142 (History of Renaissance Philosophy)
    – Philosophy 144 (History of Modern Philosophy II: Kant to Nietzsche)
  • Philosophy 143 (History of Modern Philosophy I: Descartes to Hume)
  • Philosophy 383 (Thesis) In Philosophy 383, the student must prepare a senior thesis, which will be graded by a supervisor chosen in consultation with the Department Chair. The entire plan of the major is subject to the approval of the department’s concentration advisor and should be worked out in conference with the advisor and with the advice and help of the various members of the department.

To discuss or declare an undergraduate major in philosophy, and for advice about which courses to take, contact Dr. Rosemary Twomey (rosemary.twomey@qc.cuny.edu), Undergraduate Advisor.

 

Undergraduate Minor in Philosophy

A minor in philosophy consists of 18 credits. No more than two courses from Philosophy 101, 103, or 120 may be counted. Two courses must be taken from the history of philosophy series (Philosophy 140 through 148). Specific courses for the minor should be selected in consultation with the department’s concentration advisor.

To discuss or declare an undergraduate minor in philosophy, and for advice about which courses to take, contact Dr. Rosemary Twomey (rosemary.twomey@qc.cuny.edu), Undergraduate Advisor.



Combined BA/MA in Philosophy

Strongly-qualified undergraduate students have the opportunity to receive both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four years of study. Both degrees are acquired with just the 120 credits normally required for the BA alone. Application to this program should be made in the upper sophomore or lower junior semester. Admission is granted only in the junior year.

Seminars and research tutorials are given on both the leading contemporary movements of philosophy and the chief historical periods and figures. Students with diverse philosophical interests are accommodated by a faculty that represents a broad spectrum of specializations. The acceleration and intensiveness of the BA/MA program makes for an exceptionally solid grounding in philosophy. For full details and application forms, see the department’s Graduate Program Advisor.

For information about and applications for the four-year combined BA/MA program, contact Professor Alberto Cordero (alberto.cordero@qc.cuny.edu​), Director of Graduate Studies.



Individualized Tutorials in Philosophy

Philosophy may be taken under the auspices of the Interdisciplinary and Special Studies program. These tutorials may be taken for one, two, or three credits. An individualized tutorial is typically done with an instructor with whom the student has already done some regular course work—the tutorial provides an opportunity for the student to focus on a topic that has come up in normal course work and that the student has found particularly interesting.

Reading and writing assignments for the tutorial, as well as arrangements for office discussions, are worked out between the student and the instructor.

If you would like to take a tutorial, you should ask the instructor well before the beginning of the semester in question. Forms for registering for tutorials may be obtained here (click on ‘tutorial application form’ toward the bottom of the page). Forms should be returned to Kiely Hall Rm 1105.