Philosophy investigates fundamental questions about the most basic facets of human thought and life, e.g., concerning knowledge and belief (epistemology), the nature of reality (metaphysics), and morality and aesthetics (value theory). Such questions can be studied by looking at answers that contemporary philosophers propose, by investigating the principles that other disciplines use to legitimate claims, or by learning how, historically, philosophers approached these issues. In this respect, “philosophy” names not only a historically defined subject matter, but also inquiry into any of the fundamental determinants of rational thought. Thus, students of philosophy can pursue a broad range of topics of the greatest historical, intellectual, social, political, and personal interest.
The department offers courses that relate these traditional philosophical questions to contemporary work in literature and the social and natural sciences. In addition, the department offers several courses that make a careful study of the classic texts in philosophy, ancient and modern. Moreover, the curriculum covers many of the dominant contemporary schools of philosophy in the Anglo-American and European traditions.
The study of philosophy enables students to expand their abilities in critical thinking and reasoning as well as to improve their skills in verbal and written communication. Students may major or minor in philosophy.
Philosophy prepares students for many careers as well as for most professional schools, including law, education, business, and non-profit management. Students who wish to go to graduate school in philosophy are encouraged to study logic at both the introductory and intermediate levels and any languages that are necessary for advanced scholarship in the different historical eras of philosophy.
For undergraduate advising, please contact philadvi@ucsc.edu. For transfer students, please also consult the Transfer Information and Policy section and contact the undergraduate advisor with any questions. Please see our planned course offerings for year at this page.
Transfer Admission and Screening Policy
Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz. Although this is not required for admission, students are recommended to complete courses in the following areas:
- Introduction to Symbolic Logic
- Ancient Philosophy
- Modern Philosophy
- Ethical Theory
- Philosophy of Mind or Epistemology
Students may petition to substitute courses taken at other institutions, or take courses articulated on assist.org. Please note that logic classes offered at community colleges will not fulfill the department’s logic requirement (i.e., PHIL 9). However, most students should be able to satisfy their second required lower-division introductory course before transferring in.
Transfer students wishing to major in philosophy are encouraged to consult with the Philosophy Department undergraduate advisor as soon as possible.
Getting Started in the Major: Transfer Students
Students can declare the major once they are enrolled in or have taken one philosophy course. To declare the major, please contact the undergraduate advisor and complete an Academic Plan and Petition for Major/Minor Declaration form.
For majors, students are allowed to substitute two upper-division courses for their required philosophy courses. Lower-division courses completed elsewhere may also be considered. Substitution requests are to be made via petition to and are subject to approval by the undergraduate program director. Students must have received a B or higher to transfer a course for credit.
Graduation with Honors in Philosophy requires at least a 3.7 average in all philosophy courses taken at UC Santa Cruz. Graduation with Highest Honors in Philosophy requires at least a 3.9 average in all philosophy courses taken at UC Santa Cruz. Students with an average between 3.8 and 3.9 may be awarded Highest Honors by vote of the Philosophy Department.
When a faculty member thinks that a student has done exceptional work that could be carried to a more advanced level, the student may be given the option of writing a senior essay (PHIL 195A). Normally, the senior essay is completed in one quarter; in unusual circumstances, it can be continued for a second quarter (PHIL 195B), but only if the writing requirements for PHIL 195A are completed successfully and on time. The senior essay, like individual studies more generally, does not count toward the 11 courses required for the major.
After undergraduates have taken the requisite lower-division courses, they have a wide range of upper-division courses from which to choose. Those who are considering advanced study are encouraged to consult regularly with any member of the philosophy faculty about the courses that would best prepare them for graduate work. Preparation for graduate work ought to begin before senior year. The Philosophy Department sponsors workshops for students contemplating graduate school in philosophy.