Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Degree Program Guide

Philosophy degree program guide

Philosophy, Plato tells us, begins in wonder. In the same way, our introductory courses invite you to join in discussing deep philosophical questions about the nature of knowledge and reality, what makes an individual or a society good, and the significance of human life itself. You will learn how to interpret philosophical arguments and write papers that explore fundamental questions from different perspectives. 

As you continue your studies, our program emphasizes the study of influential philosophical texts (classic, non-canonical, and non-Western) that will challenge and expand your cultural horizons. Finally, the last year of the program features seminars in which you can further sharpen your critical skills, engage in sustained conversations around more specialized topics, and pursue original avenues of research. If you choose our honors degree, you will have the opportunity to conduct independent research under the supervision of a professor on a subject of particular interest to you.

Acquire reasoning and argumentative skills unmatched by any other discipline, as well as the ability to listen sensitively and work sympathetically with others who might disagree with you, through the Philosophy program.

Academic Requirements for Philosophy Majors

Course Requirements
  • 3 units of Formal Reasoning from:
    • PHIL 120 - Symbolic Logic I (as a junior-level course, this does not apply to the 30-unit senior-level requirement)
    • PHIL 220 - Symbolic Logic II
    • PHIL 325 - Risk, Choice, and Rationality
  • 6 units of History of Philosophy from:
    • PHIL 202 - Indian Philosophy
    • PHIL 203 - Islamic Philosophy
    • PHIL 230 - Ancient Greek Philosophy
    • PHIL 233 - Trial and Execution of Socrates
    • PHIL 240 - Descartes to Hume
    • PHIL 333 - Aristotle
    • PHIL 336 - Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy
    • PHIL 343 - Kant to Nietzsche
  • 3 units of Metaphysics/Mind/Epistemology from:
    • PHIL 200 - Metaphysics
    • PHIL 205 - Philosophy of Mind
    • PHIL 215 - Epistemology
  • 3 units of Ethics/Political Philosophy/Aesthetics from:
    • PHIL 250 - Contemporary Ethical Issues
    • PHIL 270 - Political Philosophy
    • PHIL 280 - Philosophy of Art
    • PHIL 350 - Foundations of Ethics
Additional Notes
  • In no case can more than one reading course (i.e., 3 units) be applied toward satisfying major or minor requirements
  • 400-level PHIL courses offered by St Joseph’s College may not be applied to the 400-level requirement for a major or minor in Philosophy

Academic Requirements for Philosophy Minors

Minor Requirements
  • Philosophy as a minor requires a minimum of 12 units to a maximum of 42 units in PHIL at the senior level including:
    • at least 6 units at the 200-level; and
    • at least 6 units at the 300- or 400-level

The University of Alberta Calendar will always contain the most up-to-date degree requirements for your program, and your requirements are determined by the calendar year you were admitted in.

What kinds of courses can Philosophy students take?

  • PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy: Values and Society
  • PHIL 102 - Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality
  • PHIL 200 - Metaphysics
  • PHIL 217 - Biology, Society, and Values
  • PHIL 219 - The Art of Living Well: Meaning and the Good Life
  • PHIL 230 - Ancient Greek Philosophy
  • PHIL 301 - Topics in Non-Western and Comparative Philosophy
  • PHIL 325 - Risk, Choice, and Rationality
  • PHIL 420 - Metalogic
  • PHIL 488 - Current Research in Philosophy

What kinds of careers can you pursue with a Philosophy degree?

There are many different fields and career paths that students can pursue with a Philosophy degree. From law and public policy to technology and ethics, graduates are equipped with intercultural critical thinking, logical reasoning and research skills to name a few, that are assets in today’s job market. Although there is a list of career options below, it is important to understand that careers are not linear. Intentionally engaging in a variety of activities and following your curiosities will open new opportunities that you might not have expected. To learn more about how you can put your Arts degree to work, stop by the HUB Career Centre (8917 HUB Mall) for more information.

  • Journalist
  • Editor
  • Lawyer
  • Policy Analyst
  • Ethics Consultant
  • User Experience (UX) Researcher
  • Technology Consultant
  • Research Analyst
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Market Research Specialist
  • Educator (Professor, Secondary or Primary)
  • Diplomat or Foreign Service Officer
  • Social Worker
  • Communications Strategist
  • Grant Writer
  • +More!

Interested in gaining work experience related to your career goals? If so, apply to Arts Work Experience to gain full-time, PAID, work experience before you graduate!

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