Philosophy Pathway Guide

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Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.

Preparation for Transfer as a Philosophy Major

The following sequences are suggested courses to take in your semesters prior to transferring to SMU as a philosophy major. For students attending a Texas public community college or university, Texas Common Course Numbers (TCCNS) are listed. If you are transferring from a college or university outside of Texas, click on the SMU course for a course description which may be used to select/compare courses at your current institution.

CC listings refer to SMU’s Common Curriculum, which all undergraduates are required to complete. Refer to the Common Curriculum Transfer Guide for a list of courses satisfying CC components. Interactive equivalency guides organized by transfer institution are available on the Transfer and Transition Services’ website.

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Preparing for a Smooth Transfer

A seamless transfer to SMU and the Philosophy program requires planning. This guide is designed to assist you in planning your transition. Taking the time to prepare for your move lays the best foundation for success. The following are a few important points to remember:

The second language requirement of the Common Curriculum may be satisfied by 1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, 2) placing out of four terms of world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or 3) being literate in a native language other than English.
SMU accepts AP scores of 4 or 5.
Work on the Common Curriculum prior to transfer is highly encouraged.
Compare Course Descriptions found in SMU’s University Catalog to course descriptions at your current institution to maximize your awarded transfer credits.
For additional information on the Philosophy major, visit our department homepage or call 214-768-2118.
For more information about transferring to SMU, click here or call 214-768-3417.

B.A. in Philosophy

SCHs = Semester Credit Hours

First Year
Fall	TCCN	SCHs
WRTR 10XX - First Year Writing I	ENGL 1301	3
PHIL 1301 - Elementary Logic	PHIL 2303	3
CC Math Course	Choose One: MATH 1324, MATH 1332, MATH 1325, MATH 1425, MATH 2413, MATH 2320, MATH 1342, BUSN 2305	3
CC Breadth Course - Creativity and Aesthetics	Choose One: ARTS 1301, ARTS 1316, ARTS 2316 , ARTS 2326, ARTS 2333, ARTS 2346, ARTS 2356, DRAM 1351, HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306	3
World Language Course*		4
	SCHs	16
Spring	TCCN	SCHs
WRTR 10YY - First Year Writing II	ENGL 1302	3
SPCH 10XX	SPCH 1315	3
CC Breadth Course - Historical Contexts	Choose One: ARTS 1303, ARTS 1304, HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2321, HIST 2322	3
CC Breadth Course - Social and Behavioral Sciences	Choose One: ANTH 2351, GOVT 2305, GOVT 2371, PSYC 2301, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2319, SOCI 1301	3
World Language Course*		4
	SCHs	16
Second Year
Fall	TCCN	SCHs
CC Breadth Course - Literary Analysis and Interpretation	Choose One: ENGL 2321, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2326, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2331, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333	3
CC Breadth Course - Exploring Science	Choose One: BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 1408, BIOL 1411, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, CHEM 1405, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, ENVR 1401, ENVR 1402, GEOL 1401, GEOL 1403, GEOL 1405, GEOL 1445, PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 1403, PHYS 1405, PHYS 1404, PHYS 1407, PHYS 1415, PHYS 1417, PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426	4
Second major, minor or elective courses		9
	SCHs	16
Spring	TCCN	SCHs
CC Breadth Course - Philosophical, Religious and Ethical Inquiry	Choose One: PHIL 1301, PHIL 1304, PHIL 2303, PHIL 2306	3
CC Breadth Course - Technological Advances and Society	Choose One: COSC 1301/1401, BCIS 1305, COSC 1309	3
Second major, minor or elective courses		9
	SCHs	16

Note

*The second language requirement may be satisfied by (1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, (2) placing out of four terms of a world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or (3) being literate in a native language other than English.

The Philosophy Department

The Department of Philosophy offers a B.A. in Philosophy and minors in Philosophy and in Ethics . Courses include core areas of philosophy and specialized topics, such as animal rights, philosophy of law, and philosophy of mind. Students focus on the development of reasoning skills, understanding arguments and viewpoints, critical evaluation of varied perspectives, and clear written and oral communication. The critical thinking skills benefit students in many disciplines and are especially useful as preparation for law school.

The Philosophy faculty members are distinguished scholars whose research is regularly published in leading journals and presses. The department’s speaker series regularly brings prominent philosophers from the U.S. and abroad to campus. In recent years, the department has hosted conferences on Free Will and on Consciousness and the Self, as well as two workshops in Ethical Theory.

The Philosophy Club and Awards

The student-led Philosophy Club regularly sponsors guest speakers to address the SMU community on topics of contemporary philosophical interest. The club also holds student discussion groups and other activities. The department annually recognizes excellence in student philosophy work with the awarding of the Huskins Philosophy Essay Award and the Hausman Award for Excellence in the History of Western Philosophy.

Majoring and Minoring in Philosophy

One major and two minors are offered by the department:

B.A. in Philosophy : The B.A. degree in philosophy requires 30 credit hours of coursework in philosophy, including at least 21 credit hours in advanced courses (3000-level and above). The 30 hours must include PHIL 1301 , PHIL 3351 , PHIL 3352 ; at least one course from the sequence PHIL 3311–PHIL 3329; and at least one course from the sequence PHIL 3370 - PHIL 3389 or PHIL 3363.
Minor in Philosophy : The minor in philosophy requires 15 credit hours of coursework in philosophy, including at least 9 credit hours in advanced courses (3000-level and above). It is recommended that each student minoring in philosophy take one of the department’s general introductory courses.
Minor in Ethics : The minor in ethics requires at least 15 credit hours of coursework, including at least four courses (12 hours) in philosophical ethics. Three of the required courses in philosophical ethics (9 hours) must come from the department’s advanced sequence in ethics (PHIL 3370–PHIL 3389), and the fourth (3 hours) must come from that same sequence or from the department’s introductory sequence in ethics (PHIL 1316–PHIL 1325). Upon petition to the chair of the department, other philosophy courses — including PHIL 3310 and PHIL 4393 — may fulﬁll the foregoing requirements provided their topics and contents are suitable. The remaining course (3 hours) must come from the department’s ethics courses, the department’s non-ethics courses, or a list of approved courses offered by other departments. It is recommended that each student minoring in ethics take one course from the department’s introductory sequence in ethics (PHIL 1316–PHIL 1325), along with at least one course in ethical or political theory (PHIL 1316 , PHIL 3371 , PHIL 3372 , PHIL 3380 ).

SMU Degree

A degree from SMU is typically comprised of a minimum of 120 hours, 60 of which must be completed through SMU, 42 of which must be in courses at the 3000 and higher levels. Components of the degree include:

Courses in your major.
Courses required for the Common Curriculum (CC) .
Elective courses. These electives may be used to add a second major or minor.

The Common Curriculum (CC)

The Common Curriculum is required of all undergraduate students and consists of three main components:

Foundations - 6 hours of Writing courses, 3 hours of Quantitative Reasoning courses, proficiency in a second language.
Breadth - 7 Breadth courses which may double count with majors and minors.
Proficiencies and Experiences - 8 Proficiencies and Experiences requirements, met through coursework or approved, noncredit activities.

NOTE: If you transfer with 23 or fewer credit hours and/or transfer in your first year out of high school, transfer work earned prior to high school graduation (dual/concurrent credit) will not satisfy CC requirements.

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