BA in Philosophy
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy master foundational concepts in logic and ancient and modern philosophy. Majors in this more traditional BA option also complete four electives chosen from courses such as Philosophy of Art; Ethics in Business; and Mind, Brain and Artificial Intelligence.
Exceptional students are encouraged to apply for departmental honors and may consider the combined BA/MA program.
Visit the GW Bulletin for a complete list of Philosophy course descriptions.
"The wisdom of philosophers from the past and present has helped me grapple with issues I encounter on a daily basis, like how I engage with politics. The subject matter is important, but so are the avenues of thinking you will explore with the department."
Tom Crean
BA '20
Course Requirements
This Bulletin covers the degree requirements for students matriculating in the current academic year. Students who matriculated before the current year can find their requirements in the relevant archived Bulletin.
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
Program-specific curriculum:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended | ||
| PHIL 1051 | Introduction to Philosophy | |
| Required | ||
| The following three courses (9 credits): | ||
| PHIL 2045 | Introduction to Logic | |
| PHIL 2111 | History of Ancient Philosophy | |
| or PHIL 2111W | History of Ancient Philosophy | |
| PHIL 2112 | History of Modern Philosophy | |
| And one course (3 credits) selected from the following: | ||
| PHIL 3113 | Nineteenth-Century Philosophy | |
| or PHIL 3113W | Nineteenth-Century Philosophy | |
| PHIL 3172 | American Philosophy | |
| or PHIL 3172W | American Philosophy | |
| PHIL 4192 | Analytic Philosophy | |
| or PHIL 4192W | ||
| PHIL 4193 | Twentieth-Century Continental Philosophy | |
| or PHIL 4193W | Twentieth-Century Continental Philosophy | |
| Electives | ||
| Four additional philosophy (PHIL) courses (12 credits) numbered 2000 or above. | ||
| One of the following 6-credit options: | ||
| Option A: Two proseminars | ||
| Proseminar (taken twice for a total of 6 credits) | ||
| or | ||
| Option B: Honors thesis. Requires departmental approval and successful completion of a senior thesis. | ||
| PHIL 4198 | Proseminar (3 credits) | |
| PHIL 4199 | Readings and Research (3 credits) | |