Philosophy (Concentration in Philosophy), BA

Total number of hours for the program: 120.

The B.A. in Philosophy requires 9 hours of foundations, 9 hours of a concentration either in Philosophy or Religion, 6 hours of major electives, and 6 hours of upper-level seminar. Additionally, philosophy majors must take 6 hours of world language, or equivalent, and must either take a minor or a second major.

Liberal Studies Hours (42 hours)

Liberal Studies Program Requirements

Major Requirements (36 hours)

Language Requirement (6 hours)

6 hours of World Language or alternatives such as Cherokee, American Sign Language, or Ancient Greek.

Foundations in Philosophy (9 hours)

The Foundations in Philosophy requirements are the same for either concentration. Take any 100-level PAR course, the sophomore seminar PAR 295 and PAR 304.

Any 100-level PAR course
PAR 295 - Self, Society, & the Good Life Credits: 3
PAR 304 - Ancient Greek and Roman Thought Credits: 3

Concentration in Philosophy (9 hours)

The concentration consists of 9 hours, including PAR 230, PAR 306, and either PAR 317 or PAR 319.

PAR 230 - Logic: Legal, Scientific & Critical Reasoning Credits: 3
PAR 306 - Early Modern Philosophy: From Copernicus to Kant Credits: 3
PAR 317 - Feminist Thought Credits: 3
OR
PAR 319 - Philosophy of Race Credits: 3

Major Electives in Philosophy and Religion (6 hours)

The six hours of Major Electives may be satisfied by taking any two other PAR courses at the 200-, 300-, or 400- level.

PAR 201 - Philosophy of Sex and Love Credits: 3
PAR 250 - Origins of Early Christianity Credits: 3
PAR 251 - Islam, Past and Present Credits: 3
PAR 260 - Religion, Gender, Sexuality Credits: 3
PAR 307 - Existentialism and Beyond Credits: 3
PAR 309 - Philosophy In and Of Film Credits: 3
PAR 310 - Philosophy of Art Credits: 3
PAR 312 - Philosophy of Religion Credits: 3
PAR 313 - Philosophy of Law Credits: 3
PAR 315 - Philosophy of Mind Credits: 3
PAR 317 - Feminist Thought Credits: 3
PAR 319 - Philosophy of Race Credits: 3
PAR 320 - Classics Credits: 3, R6
PAR 323 - Mysticism Credits: 3
PAR 330 - Wilderness: Ethics and Aesthetics in the American Landscape Credits: 3
PAR 332 - Biomedical Ethics: Healthcare & Social Justice Credits: 3
PAR 333 - Environmental and Animal Ethics Credits: 3
PAR 342 - What is Religion? Credits: 3
PAR 353 - Religion in Film Credits: 3
PAR 354 - Suffering: Religion, Literature & the Moral Imagination Credits: 3
PAR 356 - Buddhism Credits: 3
PAR 357 - Hinduism Credits: 3
PAR 365 - Medieval Thought: Faith & Reason from Empire to Enlightenment Credits: 3
PAR 366 - Science, Religion & Knowledge Credits: 3
PAR 367 - Native American Religions Credits: 3
PAR 380 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3, R6
PAR 392 - Global Justice: Liberty, Equality & Human Rights Credits: 3
PAR 393 - Topics in Philosophy and Religion Credits: 1-3, R6

Seminars (6 hours)

Majors must take an upper-level seminar-either PAR 392 or PAR 393 -and the capstone, PAR 495.

EITHER
PAR 392 - Global Justice: Liberty, Equality & Human Rights Credits: 3
OR
PAR 393 - Topics in Philosophy and Religion Credits: 1-3, R6
AND ALSO
PAR 495 - Seminar in Philosophy and Religion Credits: 3, R9

Additional Requirements

To complete the Bachelor of Arts program in the College of Arts & Sciences, a total of 42 hours is required, which includes a second major, minor, or approved program, and a minimum of 12-14 general (free) electives depending on the number of hours taken in the major that also fulfill the Liberal Studies requirements. At least 30 hours of courses at WCU must be taken at the junior/senior level to meet one of the University’s degree requirements.

Note: Students who pursue a concentration in Philosophy can also choose a minor in Religion and students who pursue a concentration in Religion can also choose a minor in Philosophy. These students cannot, however, use a single course to count towards both the concentration and the minor.