College of Liberal Arts
and Social Sciences

Who's Who in the Department of Philosophy

Chair:
James W. Garson

Professors:
William H. Austin, Gregory A. Brown, Cynthia A. Freeland, James W. Garson, Justin Fritz Leiber, William N. Nelson

Associate Professors:
Anne Jaap Jacobson, Bredo C. Johnsen, David K. Phillips

Bachelor of Arts

Philosophy majors must complete 27 semester hours in philosophy, 18 of which are advanced. Logic II, one course in ethics, and two approved courses in the history of philosophy must be included. Ethics courses include PHIL 1305, 3350, 3351, 3354, 3355, 3375, and appropriate selected topics courses. Of the two courses in history of philosophy, one can be from any historical period. The other must be from either the ancient period (e.g., PHIL 3383) or from the early modern period (e.g., 3304, 3305, 3376, and 3378). A selected topics course from one of these periods may again be substituted.

Majors must also meet the general requirements for any Bachelor of Arts degree.

To provide continuing evaluation of the undergraduate philosophy program, majors in their final semester must each submit to the chair a portfolio, consisting of what they consider to be their best three philosophy papers and a completed departmental questionnaire. The deadline for the portfolio submission is the last day for filing an application for graduation as printed in the class schedule.

The study of philosophy can reasonably be pursued in so many diverse ways that to suggest a uniform program of study would be at best unhelpful and quite possibly misleading. Students should, of course, begin with one of the introductory courses (PHIL 1301 or 1305) and should also take Logic I relatively early.

Beyond that, the individual student’s program should be worked out in close consultation with the departmental undergraduate advisor. This consultation will range not only over the proposed program of philosophy courses, but also over the entire undergraduate curriculum, in an attempt to ensure that it is both coherent and appropriate to the student’s long-range goals.

Minor in Philosophy

Minors must complete 15 semester hours in philosophy, nine of which are advanced. One course in the history of philosophy, from either the ancient or early modern periods, must be included. Examples of approved courses from these periods include PHIL 3383, 3304, 3305, 3376, and 3378.

It is strongly recommended that students completing a minor in philosophy include a course in either logic or ethics in their 15 semester hours, but primary emphasis is on the development of a sound and coherent program relevant to the student’s other pursuits.

The program is to be determined in consultation with the department’s undergraduate advisor. For example, students entering business or law should consider including PHIL 3350, 3355, and 3375, and students in the sciences or engineering should consider PHIL 1321, 3335, and 3344.

A minimum of nine semester hours of the minor must be done in residence, and six of those must be advanced. A 2.00 minimum grade point average is required on all minor courses attempted at the University of Houston.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts degree is offered in philosophy. For the general graduate admission and degree requirements, consult with the graduate advisor in the Department of Philosophy and refer to the Graduate and Professional Studies catalog.