Northern Illinois University

Department of Philosophy

B.A. Program Requirements

The requirements for the B.A. in philosophy comprise a three-course core, a distribution requirement involving three areas of study, and 15 hours of philosophy electives. Within the 33 semester hours required for the major, students enjoy a high degree of flexibility in course selection. While all majors must take the three core courses, students may choose from among several courses in each of three areas to complete the distribution requirement. This structure ensures that majors gain familiarity with the different fields within the discipline while allowing them to tailor their programs of study to their individual interests.

Requirements in Department (33)

PHIL205, Symbolic Logic (3), or PHIL405, Intermediate Logic (3)
PHIL321, Ancient Philosophy (3)
PHIL322, Modern Philosophy (3)

Electives in Philosophy (15), at least six (6) hours of which must be at the 400 level

One course from each of the following three fields (9):

Ethics and Value Theory

PHIL331, Classical Ethical Theories (3)
PHIL430T, Topics in Ethics (3)
PHIL431, Contemporary Ethical Theory (3)
PHIL442, Theories of Value (3)

Metaphysics or Epistemology

PHIL311, Problems of Knowledge (3)
PHIL312, Theories and Problems of Reality (3)
PHIL410, Topics in Metaphysics or Epistemology (3)
PHIL411, Epistemology (3)
PHIL412, Metaphysics (3)

Major Figures in Philosophy

PHIL420A, Topics in the History of Philosophy: Major Philosophers (3)
PHIL421, Plato (3)
PHIL422, Aristotle (3)
PHIL426, Kant (3)

Requirements Outside Department (0-12)

Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (0-12). (See "Foreign Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree" in undergraduate catalog.)

For Additional Information:
Telephone (815) 753-0331
Email the Undergraduate Advisor