Ethical, Social, and Political Philosophy Major (BA)

Philosophy Department | College of Liberal Arts

Program Declaration

At time of admission to the University or by completion of an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form .

Degree Requirements

If this is the student’s only or primary major, the degree requirements below must be completed for graduation. See graduation requirements for more information.

University Requirements

College of Liberal Arts Requirements for Bachelor of Arts

Major Requirements

Complete 30 credits from 10 courses including one introductory philosophy course, one 200-level philosophy course, five area electives, and three additional electives.

Pass/fail: Only one course taken pass/fail may be applied toward the major.
Residency: At least five courses for the major must be completed at UMass Boston and must be at the 300-level or higher.

Course Requirements

Introductory Philosophy Course (3 Credits)

PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
or
PHIL 108 - Moral and Social Problems 3 Credit(s)

200-Level Philosophy Course (3 Credits)

PHIL 216 - The History of Ethics 3 Credit(s)
or
PHIL 218 - Major Social and Political Thinkers 3 Credit(s)

Philosophy Area Electives (15 Credits)

Take five courses from three areas listed below. At least one course must be completed in each area.

History Area
PHIL 211 - Ancient Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 216 - The History of Ethics 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 218 - Major Social and Political Thinkers 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 264 - Nineteenth Century Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 297 - Asian Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 311 - Medieval Philosophy: Islamic, Jewish, Christian 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 351 - Plato 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 397 - Marxist Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 452 - Aristotle 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 455 - Hegel and German Idealism 3 Credit(s)
Theory Area
PHIL 290 - The Philosophy of Law 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 318 - Race and Racism 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 333 - Ethical Theory 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 380 - Social & Political Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 395 - International Ethics 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 430 - Literary Theory and Critical Theory 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 450 - Rights 3 Credit(s)
Problems Area
PHIL 210 - The Philosophy of Education 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 215 - Philosophical Foundations of Public Policy 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 220 - Environmental Ethics 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 222 - Moral Issues in Medicine 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 225 - The Philosophy of Religion 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 230 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 337 - The Ethics of Human Subjects Research: Consent, Coercion and Exploitation 3 Credit(s)

Additional Electives (9 Credits)

Take three additional philosophy courses from the list below.

PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
or
PHIL 108 - Moral and Social Problems 3 Credit(s)
or
PHIL 120 - Introduction to Logic 3 Credit(s)
Any philosophy courses at the 200, 300, or 400-level except for PHIL 478 - Independent Study I and PHIL 479 - Independent Study II .