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Department of Philosophy

Undergraduate Studies in Philosophy

Undergraduate Advisor: Candace Upton

The Philosophy major provides students the opportunity to become acquainted with the Western philosophical tradition while simultaneously learning to be at home in contemporary philosophical thought.  Students majoring in Philosophy take a wide variety of courses, reflecting both the various areas of specialization within contemporary Philosophy and the major epochs of the history of Western philosophy.  The program also provides opportunities for course work in non-Western traditions.

Requirements for the Philosophy Major:

• Every philosophy major will be required to take 40-60 hours of philosophy courses above the 1000 level, at least 16 of these hours must be at or above the 3000 level. These hours must include the courses specified below.
• Every philosophy major will be required to take 4 hours of Symbolic Logic or Practical Logic. It is recommended that this course be taken as early as possible.
• Every philosophy major will be required to take at least 4 hours of Ancient and/or Medieval Philosophy. (Eligible courses are: Greek Philosophy, Great Thinkers: Plato, Aristotle, other appropriate courses as offered, if approved by the undergraduate advisor).
• Every philosophy major will be required to take at least 4 hours of Modern and/or Contemporary Philosophy. (Eligible courses are: Early Modern Philosophy, Kant to Nietzsche, Existentialism, Twentieth Century Philosophy, Great Thinkers: Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Kant, Hegel).
• All Majors must register for PHIL 3999 in their last two quarters at DU and complete it before graduation. PHIL 3999 is a zero-credit, zero-cost, ungraded, completely online course. It does not meet and does not have a professor. However, you must register for, and complete, the course in order to graduate with a philosophy major. When you register you will get an email telling you how to complete a post-test, an exit survey and upload a competency paper.

• The Philosophy Minor

The minor requires the completion of 20 credit hours of philosophy at the 2000 level or above.  

• Graduation With Honors or Distinction in Philosophy

Requirements and instructions for achieving graduation with honors or a distinction in Philosophy are located here.

• AHSS Liberal Arts Advantage Program

LAA helps welcome students into our academic community and engages students in intellectual experiences outside of the classroom. In addition, LAA helps student sarticulate the value of a liberal arts degree, in particular as it pertains to career goals. For more information, please visit the Liberal Arts Advantage page.

• Information about Graduate Programs in Philosophy in the United States and Canada

Please see the American Philosophy Association website for the 2012 Guide to Graduate Programs in Philosophy. About the Grad Guide: "The new Guide to Graduate Programs in Philosophy provides information on graduate philosophy programs throughout the US and Canada, including demographic data on faculty and students, placement records, and information on teaching and fellowship opportunities within each program. Both Ph.D. and terminal master's programs are profiled, and demographic information for all participating programs is included in tabular format for easy reference."

Please contact Candace Upton for more information.

Department of Philosophy, 2000 East Asbury Ave., Sturm Hall 257, Denver, CO 80208
Telephone: 303.871.2063, FAX: 303.871.3082

University of Denver, 2199 South University Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80208, 303.871.2000
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.