Philosophy AA-T Degree
Philosophy, which can be called “the science of the Big Picture”, is the systematic study of concepts such as knowledge, truth, reality, logic and rationality, ethics and morality, justice, beauty, mind, and God. Philosophy is concerned with posing and answering questions as difficult and varied as, What is truth?, Could each person have her own truth?, What is the relation of formal logic to ordinary reasoning?, How should human beings live their lives?, How does our familiar human world of thoughts, sensations, and feelings fit into the larger world that is described by the natural sciences? Can there be human actions that are morally right (or wrong) independently of a society’s judgment?, Does beauty exist only in the eye of the beholder?, and finally, Does God exist?
Career paths chosen by students pursuing undergraduate studies in philosophy commonly include the foreign service, computer science, and creative writing. Careers in the discipline that generally require graduate-level degrees include college teaching, law, medicine, psychiatry, and social work.
The Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer, also called the Philosophy AA-T Degree, prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy. Students earning the Philosophy AA-T Degree will be granted priority for admission as a Philosophy major to a local CSU, as determined by the CSU campus to which the student applies. This Philosophy AA-T degree requires students to meet both of the following requirements:
- Completion of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
- The Intersegmental GE Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University GE-Breadth Requirements (CSU GE-B).
- A minimum of 18 semester units in a major or area of emphasis. All courses in the major or area of emphasis must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
- Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
There are no additional graduation requirements. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:
- Critique generalizations and popular opinion about human behavior and society, distinguishing opinion and values from scientific observations and study.
- Understand and think critically about different cultures (including topics such as race, gender, and class) and their influence on human development or society.
- Develop individual responsibility, personal integrity, and respect for diverse people and culture.
- Identify and analyze key concepts and theories about human and/or societal development.
- Examine the biological, psychological, and sociological factors that influence the personalities and behaviors of females and males from a multicultural perspective.
Program Requirements
| Course Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | Units | |
| PHIL 006 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 007 | Ideas of the Great Philosophers | 3 |
| PHIL 010 | General Logic | 3 |
| PHIL 014 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 017 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| List A | ||
| Select one course from the following (3 units): | 3 | |
| PHIL 012 | Religions of the World | 3 |
| PHIL 013 | Perspectives on Death & Dying | 3 |
| PHIL 018 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| Required Subtotal | 18 | |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 37-39 | |
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 transferable units) | ||
| DEGREE TOTAL | 60 | |
- 1
Units for the major may be double counted for CSU GE or IGETC, confer with Counselor.
- 2
Elective units to reach 60 unit total must be CSU transferable, confer with Counselor.
