Our philosophy/pre-law major programs are designed to provide students with a broad philosophical background both in the history of philosophy and in the systematic areas of philosophy. Depending on students’ interests and needs, they may choose different levels of depth of philosophical studies, complemented by particularly designed liberal arts concentrations. In addition to the intellectual framework suitable for the study of law provided in the general philosophy major program, the major in philosophy/pre-law includes courses specifically aimed at students interested in a legal career.

Bachelor Degree Programs for Philosophy/Pre-Law Majors

Two programs are available for a major in philosophy/pre-law: (1) Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy/Pre-Law and (2) Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy/Pre-Law, Scholar’s Track. Both programs may be combined with a major or minor in another discipline.

Prerequisites for ALL Major Courses

  • PHIL 201 - The Classical Mind (or honors equivalent)
  • PHIL 202 - The Modern Mind (or honors equivalent)
1. Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy/Pre-Law

Required for all majors (12 courses):

  • 302 - Introductory Logic
  • 305 - Metaphysics or 355/356 - Metaphysics I/II
  • 313A - Philosophy of Human Nature or 331A - Philosophy of Knowledge
  • 353 - History of Ancient Philosophy
  • 354 - History of Medieval Philosophy
  • 453 - History of Modern Philosophy
  • 454 - Contemporary Philosophy
  • 455 - Junior Seminar
  • 456 - Senior Seminar
  • Ethics:
    • 309A - Theories of Ethics; or
    • 311 - Contemporary Moral Issues; or
    • 333A - Philosophy of Natural Right and Law
  • Philosophy of Law:
    • 332A - Political Philosophy; or
    • 403 - Morality and Law
  • Philosophy Elective (see below)

Liberal Arts requirements (for details see here):

  • PHIL 201-202 (see above)
  • Theology and Religious Studies (3)
  • Rhetoric and Writing (1)
  • Explorations in Literature (1)
  • Explorations in Fine Arts (1)
  • Foundations of Mathematical Thinking or Statistics (1)
  • Foundations in History or Political Theory (1)
  • Foundations of Natural Science (1)
  • Foundations of Social Science (1)
  • Intermediate Level Foreign Language (2)
  • Focus Area:
    • Liberal Studies Concentration (4); or
    • Minor or Certificate; or
    • Second Major
2. Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy/Pre-Law, Scholar’s Track

In addition to the above (14 courses total):

  • 313A – Philosophy of Human Nature and 331A - Philosophy of Knowledge
  • 355 – Metaphysics I and 356 – Metaphysics II

Liberal Arts requirements:

  • For the Focus Area, students choose between a Language and a Science Concentration.
  • Language Concentration:
    • Elementary level second language; one of the two languages must be an ancient one (2)
    • Liberal Studies Courses (2)
  • Math and Science Concentration:
    • Math (4); or
    • Biology, Chemistry, or Physics (4); or
    • Computer Science (4); or
    • Any of the above (4)

Available Philosophy Electives

  • 309A - Theories of Ethics
  • 310 - Philosophy of Art
  • 311 - Contemporary Moral Issues
  • 313A - Philosophy of Human Nature (unless required)
  • 315 - Philosophy of Language
  • 317 - Philosophy of Religion
  • 320 - Philosophy of Sport
  • 328 - Philosophy of the Social Sciences
  • 329A - Philosophy of Science and Nature 
  • 331A – Philosophy of Knowledge (unless required)
  • 332A - Political Philosophy
  • 333A - Philosophy of Natural Right and Natural Law
  • 334 - Philosophy in the Islamic World
  • 335 - Islamic Political Philosophy
  • 336 - Introduction to Asian Philosophy
  • 403 - Morality and Law
  • 551 - Intermediate Logic
Comprehensive examinations are administered during the second semester of the senior year.

Descriptions of all courses may be found here.