Philosophy, BA

The study of Philosophy can be challenging because it asks students to critically examine very fundamental questions about what it means to be human - behavior, values, ethics, logic, aesthetics. Some describe it as "thinking in slow motion" because of the way it explores in depth the human experience.

Students choose philosophy because it instills a lifelong love and quest for knowledge, it imparts a disciplined and systematic way of thinking, and it enhances critical and analytical capacities. Most graduates of philosophy describe the great personal reward that comes from exploring the great thinkers of the past in the context of modern issues. But, they also passionately value the career skills that they developed - how to read and comprehend difficult text; how to understand different interpretations of information and assess opposing viewpoints; how to craft a clear and logical position on an issue in writing and orally; and how to make connections between smaller, seemingly disparate details and the big picture.

By mid-career, philosophy majors outearn business majors, on average, largely because their knowledge and skills make them excellent leaders in business, nonprofit, law, government work, education, and more.

The undergraduate program is relatively small, resulting in more one-on-one attention from faculty than might be found at another university.

Requirements

Credit numbers reflect total possible credits towards degree. Due to the ability to count courses towards more than one requirement, credit amounts will vary. Please work with your academic advisor on your plan of study.

Preparatory Coursework

Based on individual placement results, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the courses listed here. This may include English language or composition preparation, developmental math, introductory chemistry, and/or student support courses for students participating in the First Year Bridge program. 

General Education Requirements (GER)

UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree. They include at minimum 30 credits (10 courses) in six categories that are designed to assure basic student competencies and provide a broad body of knowledge as a context for specialization.

Some degree requirements may fulfill GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.   

Letters and Science Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree

Complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science with 36 of the 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered 300 or above) courses.

The College requires that students must complete, in residence at UWM, at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. The College also requires that students complete at least 30 credits overall in residence at UWM. For additional residency and transfer credit limitations, see L&S Undergraduate Policies and Regulations.

Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.

To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.

College of Letters & Science Requirements

For the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), students must complete the UWM General Education Requirements as well as these L&S requirements: the International requirement, the Breadth requirement, a Natural Science Lab requirement, the Research requirement, and a Language other than English requirement. The International requirement develops student potential for cross-cultural understanding in a globalizing world. The Breadth requirement ensures that students take classes in a wide variety of subjects, across humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The Research requirement calls for students to build critical thinking and oral and written communication skills through conducting an independent research project in their major. The Language other than English requirement further develops student proficiency in a language other than English. And, the requirement that students take an L&S Natural Science lab ensures exposure to and practice with the scientific method in action.

I. Total Credits and Upper-Division Courses Requirement

Students must complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science with 36 of those 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered 300 and above) courses.

II. Language other than English Requirement

Students doing the B.A. must fulfill a language other than English requirement by either successfully completing the fourth semester of university work or equivalent in one language other than English, or by successfully completing the second semester of university work or equivalent in two languages other than English (including all languages other than English and American Sign Language).  

Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work. Proficiency tests approved by the Languages faculty may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. 

III. International Requirement

To meet the International Requirement, students must successfully complete some two-course (minimum 6 credits) combination of:

1. Courses with L&S approved international content (see Courses Approved for the L&S International Requirement for course options).
2. Any study abroad course(s).

Students who graduate secondary school in a country other than the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.

IV. Breadth Requirement

In addition to completing the University General Education Requirements, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement to obtain deeper experience across our three substantive divisions.

The L&S Breadth requirement calls for 9 credits each in L&S courses designated L&S Humanities, L&S Natural Sciences, and L&S Social Sciences breadth. One of the L&S Natural Science breadth courses must include a laboratory or fieldwork experience.

Please refer to the list of Courses Approved for the L&S Breadth Requirement.

 V. The Major

The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments. Students should contact their major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA. The College requires that students must complete, in residence at UWM, at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.

Research Requirement

Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty.  A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.

VI. The Minor

Philosophy Major Requirements

At UWM, incoming first-year students interested in studying philosophy are advised to begin with the general introductory course, PHILOS 101, though there are several courses, especially at the 200 level, that are open to students without a background in philosophy. The 300 level includes courses designed to provide more in-depth treatments of traditional philosophical areas. Courses at the 400 level are devoted to the history of philosophy. Courses at the 500 level deal with specific issues and problems.

The College of Letters & Science requires that students complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. Students also must attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, they must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.

Students must fulfill the capstone/research requirement in the senior year. It is recommended strongly that students become proficient in at least one related academic discipline. Each major will be asked to submit a paper for inclusion in a portfolio that is kept in the department. Typically, this will be a paper written for PHILOS 685. It should be stressed that this is not an additional requirement for graduation as a major. Rather, it is part of the department's ongoing effort to evaluate and improve our major program.

A minimum of 30 credits in philosophy is required.

¹

PHILOS 212, or a more advanced course in logic may be substituted for PHILOS 211 with the permission of the department chair.

Philosophy BA Learning Outcomes

1.1 Logic and Critical Reasoning 

Students graduating from the BA program in Philosophy will be able to apply and explain central concepts of elementary formal logic, including concepts such as argument, proof, fallacy, persuasion, inductive reasoning, deductive validity and soundness. The students will be able to analyze the logical structure of arguments and translate English sentences into the formal language of sentential and quantifier logic. The students will also be able to use formal tools of logic, such as truth tables, rules of inference, replacement rules, quantifier rules, and proof methods, to assess arguments and construct basic formal proofs. 

1.2 History of Ancient Philosophy 

Students graduating from the BA program in Philosophy will be able to describe, interpret, and analyze the main philosophical ideas and arguments of some of the key figures in Ancient Greek philosophy, including the important philosophical contributions by the Pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle. 

1.3 History of Modern Philosophy 

Students graduating from the BA program in Philosophy will be able to describe, interpret, and analyze the main philosophical ideas and arguments that shaped the history of modern philosophy, including some of the important philosophical contributions by key figures ranging from Descartes to Kant. 

1.4 Practical Philosophy and Value Theory 

Students graduating from the BA program in Philosophy will be able to explain, interpret, and analyze fundamental concepts and theories from the branch of practical philosophy and value theory, in at least one of its chief manifestations of modern ethical theory, political philosophy, or the history of ethical thought. Students will also be able to connect these concepts and theories to relevant real-world ethical and social issues.  

1.5 Theoretical Philosophy, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Science, and Mind 

Students graduating from the BA program in Philosophy will be able to explain, interpret, and analyze fundamental concepts from the branch of theoretical philosophy, in at least one of its chief manifestations of the theory of knowledge, metaphysics, philosophy of science, and the philosophy of mind. Students will also be able to evaluate these theories and concepts in relation to specific philosophical problems and issues found within the branch of theoretical philosophy.  

1.6 Advanced Study and Writing 

Students graduating from the BA program in Philosophy will be able to carry out a philosophical study at an advanced level, including the composition of a substantial piece of philosophical writing. Students' written work will illustrate their ability to explain, critically analyze, and apply relevant concepts, arguments, and theories from the branches of practical and/or theoretical philosophy, and/or will illustrate their ability to interpret and critically analyze relevant philosophical concepts, arguments, and theories in the history of philosophy. Students will also be able to develop original philosophical ideas and arguments.

Letters & Science Advising

During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.

College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:

• Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
• Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
• Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
• Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
• Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.

Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:

• Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department. 
• Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
• Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.

Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video. 

Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.

Honors in the Major

Philosophy majors who maintain a minimum of 3.000 in all courses attempted at UWM, a 3.500 GPA in courses in the major, as well as a 3.500 GPA in all advanced courses in the major, will be awarded with honors in philosophy at graduation.

College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.