Requirements for the Philosophy Major and the Philosophy: Pre-Law Major

Philosophy Major requirements

Ten courses (30 credits) including:

  • Logic (PHIL 151)
  • Ancient Greek Philosophy (PHIL 201)
  • Early Modern Philosophy (PHIL 202)
  • One additional history of philosophy course from Medieval Philosophy (PHIL 301), Hume and Kant (PHIL 302), or Hegel, Marx and Nietzsche (PHIL 303)
  • One course from the Continental Philosophy set (PHIL 260, 342, 343, 344, 450)
  • One course from the Social and Political Philosophy set (PHIL 100, 210, 220, 320, 325, 350) OR one course from the Ethics set (PHIL 160, 225, 226, 330, 335)
  • One course from the non-Western Philosophy set (PHIL 283, 284, 286, 287, 440)
  • Research in Philosophy (PHIL 485)
  • Two additional courses in Philosophy, at least one of which must be at the 300- or 400-level. With the approval of the major advisor, one of the following may be allowed: CPRD 299, CPRD 331, LATN 432, RELG 306, RELG 314, RELG 317, RELG 331, RELG 341

Philosophy: Pre-Law Major requirements

Eleven courses (33 credits) including:

  • Logic (PHIL 151)
  • Ancient Greek Philosophy (PHIL 201)
  • Early Modern Philosophy (PHIL 202)
  • Philosophy of Law I (PHIL 320)
  • Philosophy of Law II (PHIL 325)
  • One additional history of philosophy course from Medieval Philosophy (PHIL 301), Hume and Kant (PHIL 302), or Hegel, Marx and Nietzsche (PHIL 303)
  • One course from the Ethics set (PHIL 160, 225, 226, 330, 335)
  • One course from the Continental Philosophy set (PHIL 260, 342, 343, 344, 450)
  • One course from the non-Western set (PHIL 283, 284, 287, 440)
  • Research in Philosophy (PHIL 485)
  • 3 Credits of either PHIL 499 (Internship) or one of the following courses: ECON 342 (Law and Economics), HIST 416 (American Legal History), HIST 417 (American Constitutional History), PSCI 422 (American Civil Liberties), or SOCG 415 (Sociology of Law)

Although not required for the Pre-Law major, we also offer PHIL 110 Introduction to Law and Legal Writing, which provides an overview of the U.S, legal system, basic categories of the law, and practice at writing legal briefs.  This course is taught by a local attorney who also coaches the Mock Trial Team.

Latin has an important place in legal history and terminology; some background in Latin is advantageous to the student of law.  Learning a classical language fosters analytical skills, writing skills, attention to detail, and contributes to self-awareness.

In addition to the required course Introductory Logic (PHIL 151), Advanced Logic (PHIL 306) is also recommended. Law school admissions committees continue to treat LSAT scores as significant indicators of a student’s likelihood of success in the study of law, and there is no better preparation for that test than a good background in basic logic.

Philosophy of Law: Phil 320 and 325 provide an overview of the major theories of law, as well as addressing specific areas of study within legal theory, such as punishment, rights, equality, causality, liberty, etc.