Skip to main content
Stanford
Department of Philosophy
School of Humanities and Sciences

Major in Philosophy

Students may earn a B.A. in Philosophy that explores traditional areas of philosophy or pursue a concentration within the major in Philosophy and Literature or History and Philosophy of Science. 

To declare the major, please email the Student Services Officer (ksahgal [at] stanford.edu (ksahgal[at]stanford[dot]edu)) or visit building 70, 71K for all declaration forms. Please check the Stanford Bulletin (ExploreDegrees) for the most up-to-date requirements.

B.A. in Philosophy

Course Requirements (minimum 60 units):

Preparation

  1. An introductory course (PHIL 1-99 courses) 

    AND

  2. The Writing in the Major (WIM) course, PHIL 80 "Mind, Matter, and Meaning"
    1. PHIL 80 should be taken as soon as possible after the first introductory course since it prepares students for the more advanced philosophy courses required for achieving breadth in the discipline
    2. PHIL 80 must be completed with a grade of C- or higher

 

Core Courses

 

  1. Logic: Select one of the following. More advanced logic courses may also be counted for this requirement by petition.
  2. Philosophy of Science: This requirement may be satisfied by
    • any intermediate philosophy of science course numbered between PHIL 160-169
  3. Moral and political philosophy: This requirement may be satisfied by
    • PHIL 2 Introduction to Moral Philosophy
    • or any intermediate course devoted to central topics in moral and political philosophy numbered between PHIL  170-175
  4. Contemporary theoretical philosophy: This requirement may be satisfied by
    • any intermediate course numbered between PHIL 180-189
  5. History of Philosophy: This requirement is satisfied by both courses

 

Capstone Seminar

The capstone experience aims to foster the integration of capacities, knowledge, and skills acquired in the student’s coursework for the major and to provide students with an opportunity to synthesize their undergraduate educational careers and to demonstrate their capacity for independent and creative philosophical work.

One undergraduate capstone seminar from the PHIL 194 series must be completed. 

Electives

Any course 10 and above except for 196-199. At least nine units must be 99 and above.

Additional Requirements:


Units for Tutorial, Directed Reading (PHIL 196 Tutorial, Senior Year, PHIL 197 Individual Work, Undergraduate, PHIL 198 The Dualist Undergraduate Journal), The Dualist (PHIL 198 The Dualist Undergraduate Journal), Honors Seminar (PHIL 199 Seminar for Prospective Honors Students), or affiliated courses may not be counted in the 60-unit requirement.

No more than 10 units completed with grades of 'satisfactory' and/or 'credit' may be counted in the 60-unit requirement. Any courses taken for a letter grade in fulfillment of the core requirements must be taken for a minimum of 3 units and completed with a grade of 'C-' or higher.

A maximum of 10 transfer units or two courses can be used for the departmental major. In general, transfer courses cannot be used to satisfy the six area requirements or the undergraduate seminar requirement. Students may not substitute transfer units for the PHIL 80 requirement.

For more information on courses, see the Stanford Bulletin (ExploreCourses)

Back to Top