Philosophy (B.A.)

Program Information

• Term-by-term sample schedule

  View the Philosophy, B.A. Osprey Maps which provides term-by-term samples.

  Philosophy - General Philosophical Studies

  Philosophy - Law, Politics, and Ethics

  The Osprey Map should be used in consultation with an academic advisor.

• Philosophy Major

  The Philosophy Major consists of 11 courses (33 credit hours).  Students are under no obligation to select a concentration; those who make no selection will automatically be assigned to General Philosophical Studies, which is our most flexible and varied path through the major. All students, regardless of concentration, must still complete all courses required for the major. Considering a double major? Philosophy is a great complement to many other majors. Talk with us for more information!

  We encourage all of our majors to engage in experiential learning opportunities in the major, including undergraduate research, study abroad, directed readings, internships, and thesis work.   

  Concentration: General Philosophical Studies

  Students in this track are free to select their 15 elective hours (five courses) from any courses offered by the program; they are encouraged, however, to include in their program of study courses identified by the different philosophy prefixes--PHH, PHI, PHM, and PHP.

  Concentration: Law, Politics, and Ethics

  This concentration helps students to focus their philosophy coursework around issues, themes, and concerns prominent in law, politics, and ethics. Students planning careers in law, public affairs, theoretical or applied ethics, or those planning graduate work in social or political theory should consider this concentration.

  To declare the major, contact COAS Advising at ASADV@unf.edu or call at 904-620-2797.

  Students who are already on Track 2, "Legal, Political, and Social Studies" or Track 3, "Studies in Applied Ethics" can choose to finish out their program on the track as it was or switch to the new concentration, "Law, Politics, and Ethics."

• Minor Required

  A minor is required for this major.* (Credits will vary)

  The Department of Philosophy offers minors in Philosophy and Law, Politics, and Ethics. Both minors are 15 credits.

  • General Philosophy
  • Law, Politics, and Ethics - The coursework in this minor is tailored to those with specific interests in law, political philosophy and theoretical or applied ethics. 

  Students in a current minor concentration (below) can stay in that concentration or elect to move to the general Philosophy minor or the new Law, Politics and Ethics minor.

  • Culture & Philosophy
  • Applied Ethics
  • Law & Philosophy

  The minor must be selected from the list of approved minors, including those outside the college of the major.

  See List of Minors in the Undergraduate Catalog. Minors are generally completed during the last 60 credit hours of your program. Your minor may require prerequisites, so choosing a minor early is beneficial. See your Advisor to declare a minor.

  *Double majors are exempt from a minor.

• Associated Minors

  The following minors may include course work from the Philosophy Program. It is important to note that courses cannot be used for fulfillment of requirements both for the philosophy major AND for a minor.

  Ancient Studies Minor

  Ancient Studies is an interdisciplinary minor designed to provide students with a concentrated study of the ancient world through philosophical traditions, ideas and intellectual frameworks that shaped early civilizations. Students pursuing a minor in Ancient Studies explore how ancient thinkers grappled with enduring questions about ethics, knowledge, religion, politics and human existence across cultures and regions.

  Students minoring in Ancient Studies are required to complete a total of 15 credit hours, with at least nine credit hours taken at UNF and nine credit hours at the upper level (3000–4000). A grade of C or better is required for all courses applied to the minor. Coursework is selected in consultation with Ancient Studies faculty and allows students to develop either a geographically focused or thematically focused course sequence within the ancient world.

  The philosophy component of the Ancient Studies minor introduces students to major philosophical traditions of antiquity, emphasizing critical analysis of classical texts and ideas within their historical and cultural contexts.

  Philosophy Courses which may count toward the Ancient Studies Minor include:

  • PHH 3100 - Ancient Greek Philosophy
  • PHH 3104 - Socrates & the Sophists
  • PHH 3120 - Greek Experience
  • PHH 3201 - Jewish and Islamic Philosophy in the Classical Tradition
  • PHH 3810/REL 3340 - Introduction to Buddhism
  • PHH 3820 - Chinese Philosophy
  • PHH 3860 - Japanese Philosophy
  • PHH 4821/REL 4353 - Confucianism
  • PHI 3XXX - Philosophies of India

  Students may also select special topics courses approved by the Ancient Studies faculty to meet the above requirement.

  Asian Studies Minor

  Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to facilitate an academic concentration in South, Southeast or East Asian civilization. Students who pursue a minor field in Asian studies will be required to take ASN 3003/Introduction to Asia (or its equivalent) and to identify a thematic sequence of courses totaling 12 additional credit hours. Students will determine this sequence in consultation with a faculty member in Asian studies, choosing either to focus on a specific geographical area (e.g., East Asia or South Asia) or on a particular discipline (e.g., religion or literature).

  Students minoring in Asian Studies must have the approval of a member of the Asian Studies Faculty. The faculty in Asian studies includes professors of religion, literature, philosophy, history, sociology, political science, business and education. Together, they offer a broad range of courses conceived to provide students both with the opportunity to encounter Asia from the perspective of its inhabitants and to employ a comparative perspective on the Asian contribution to world civilization.

  Philosophy Courses which may count toward the Asian Studies Minor include:

  • PHH 3811 - The Philosophy of Zen Buddhism
  • PHH 3820 - Chinese Philosophy
  • PHI 3931 - Selected Topics: Philosophy East and West
  • Classical Civilization Minor

  Gender Studies Minor

  The purpose of the Gender Studies minor is to provide interested students with an opportunity to focus a portion of their college studies on issues related to women's lives, culture and history, men's studies, and to the impact of gender on human experience an dbehavior across a variety of disciplines. In particular, the minor explores gender issues and experience and fosters educational equity. It provides an opportunity for faculty and students alike to explore women's changing social roles, experiences, problems, and contributions to society, which have often been omitted in the traditional academic disciplines. Also included in the gender studies minor is the growing new area of men's studies, which focus on men as a sex and how gender impacts men's lives. Courses in the Gender Studies minor investigate the full diversity of women's and men's experience and gender issues. The minor provides opportunities for true interdisciplinary learning, since the program requires students to take courses from across college and university offerings.

  Philosophy Courses which may count toward the Gender Studies Minor include:

  • PHI 3632 - Ethics of Sex and Gender
  • PHM 3020 - Philosophy of Love and Sex.
  • International Studies Minor
  • Philosophy Courses which may count toward the International Studies Minor include:
  • PHH 3500 - 19th Century Philosophy
  • PHH 4601 - 20th Century Continental Philosophy
  • PHI 3071 - The Japanese Mind
  • PHI 3700 - Philosophy of Religion
  • PHM 3202 - Political Philosophy
  • Religious Studies Minor
  • Philosophy Courses which may count toward the Religious Studies Minor include:
  • PHI 3700 - Philosophy of Religion
  • PHH 3811 - The Philosophy of Zen Buddhism

  Environmental Studies Minor

  The minor in Environmental Studies covers a broad range of environmental issues, laying the foundation for the understanding of complex environmental issues and the interactions between human behavior, technology, and the natural environment.

  Philosophy Courses which may count toward the Environmental Studies Minor include:

  • PHI 3640 Environmental Ethics
  • PHM 2030 Ecological Philosophy

  International Studies Minor

  The minor in International Studies allows undergraduate students to pursue an interdisciplinary and comparative study of foreign cultures and societies while fulfilling the academic requirements for a minor in one of the College of Arts and Sciences degree programs. Students choosing to minor in International Studies take three required courses and two elective courses, selected from the respective lists for the major program of study.

  Philosophy Courses which may count toward the International Studies Minor include:

  • PHH 3500 - 19th Century Philosophy
  • PHH 4601 - 20th Century Continental Philosophy
  • PHI 3071 - The Japanese Mind
  • PHI 3700 - Philosophy of Religion
  • PHI 3930 - Germany Today
  • PHM 3202 - Political Philosophy
• Foreign Language / Foreign Cultures Requirements

  Foreign Language (8 CHs)/Foreign Culture Requirement (6 CHs): All BA students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to complete either (i) the Foreign Language option or (ii) the Foreign Culture option, in either case with grades of C or higher. Learn more. 

• Tuition
  Tuition, fees, and textbooks make up most of the costs to students. Detailed information regarding tuition and all general fees can be found on the UNF Tuition website.

Careers in Philosophy

• Why Study Philosophy?

  The Philosophy Program at UNF emphasizes a pluralistic approach to philosophical questions, traditions, and concerns. Our faculty are award-winning teachers and internationally recognized scholars engaged in cutting-edge research in analytic, continental, historical, and comparative or cross-cultural philosophy. 

  Do you enjoy asking questions? Thinking deeply? Arguing or debating issues great and small? Learning about new or different perspectives? Analyzing ideas? If so, philosophy might be for you. Our program offers two major and two minor programs. Each semester we offer a range of lower and upper division courses open to any UNF student, regardless of major. View our full course offerings in the UNF Course Catalog and check in with us for offerings in the current and upcoming terms. We aim to introduce students to philosophy in ways that will serve them well, professionally and personally, for wherever their lives may lead.

  Visit Study the Humanities, an initiative of the National Humanities Alliance Foundation, to learn more about why humanities majors thrive, valued skills humanities majors develop, employment and salary data, see notable humanities majors who are now leaders in their chosen fields, hear from humanities majors across the country about the lifelong benefits of studying the humanities, and see research about how studying the humanities can help prepare you for a future career.

  Watch this video to debunk some common myths about philosophy majors:

• Philosophy Skillsets

  Students who study philosophy gain key skills for the rest of their lives:

  • Critical, creative, and collaborative thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Argument identification, construction, analysis, and evaluation
  • Clear and effective writing
  • Strong oral communication
  • Active and contemplative listening, impartial examination, and perceptive critique
  • Critical reading skills
  • Initiative and ability to work independently
  • Identify and work with assumptions and values in your own culture and across cultures
  • Teamwork and collaborative dialogue 
  • Articulate your own deepest questions and convictions
  • Research skills
  • Sifting complex information
  • Leadership
  • Reflection on values, ethics, and the nature of a flourishing life
  • Love of learning
• Careers

  Studying philosophy leads to a wide range of careers in fields including:

  • Law
  • Business
  • Computing and Technology
  • Education 
  • Engineering
  • Finance & Banking
  • Local, State, and Federal Government
  • Non-Profit
  • Insurance
  • Journalism
  • Media and Activism
  • Marketing
  • Medicine
  • Literature, writing, and publishing
  • Research: Business, Educational, Governmental
  • Technical Writing

  There are so many options for what you can do with a philosophy degree! Check out this US News and World Report "What you can do with a philosophy degree" or this Times Higher Education "What can you do with a philosophy degree" for more ideas. 

  Famous philosophy majors include:

  • Thomas Jefferson
  • Bruce Lee
  • Stephen Colbert
  • Pearl S. Buck
  • Kumail Nanjiani
  • Stephen Breyer
  • Susan Sarandon
  • Angela Davis
  • Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Malala Yousafzai
  • Philip K. Dick
  • Jack Dorsey
  • Reid Hoffman
  • Harrison Ford
  • Steve Martin
  • Peter Thiel
  • Carl Icahn
  • Sheila Bair
  • Patrick Byrne
  • Your name here

  Check out the American Philosophical Association website www.apaoline.org for more information on who studies philosophy.

• LSAT and MCAT Scores

  Undergraduate training in philosophy helps to prepare students for meaningful lives and successful careers. 

  

  Are you thinking about graduate school? Did you know that philosophy majors consistently do the best of all majors on the LSAT and the MCAT, and rank higher than any other humanities major in scores on the GMAT and the GRE? In fact, there is evidence that an education in philosophy creates real improvements in academic skills, especially reading and writing, when compared with other majors. The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools, Law School Admission Council says, “While no single curricular path is the ideal preparation for law school, you should choose courses that sharpen analytical reasoning and writing skills. Law schools prefer students who can think, read, and write well, and who have some understanding of what shapes human experience.” Philosophy is a great fit for those interested in law...and other graduate fields! Philosophy majors on average do better on the GRE (graduate entrance exam) than majors in psychology, sociology, history, chemistry, and mathematics (claim based on data from www.ets.org). 

  Did you know? Among people with undergraduate degrees, the median earnings of philosophy majors exceed those of majors in any other humanities field, and are the 16th highest among all majors, according to a recent U.S. study.

  

  Mid career salaries of philosophers are also the highest among humanities fields, and come in above fields like Chemistry, Biology, and Communications. Learn more about this from Dr. Justin Weinberg, "Philosophy Majors Make More Money than Majors in any other Humanities Field," at the Daily Nous website.