The great philosophers throughout time have all understood that behind the experience of life is its deeper meaning—a philosophy. As a philosophy major at Fresno Pacific University, your pursuit of wisdom will take you through a logical investigation of reality, knowledge and morality. Our courses familiarize you with classic and foundational texts in philosophy and its main components. You will graduate with the tools of the philosopher—observation, reflection and analysis—and with these skills you can examine political and public issues and actively serve as a conscience in society and the church.
Highlights
- Recognize, categorize and critically evaluate contemporary philosophers and philosophical schools of thought.
- Understand significant portions of the history of philosophy and of the way Christian intellectual traditions have both enriched and been enriched by that history of inquiry.
- Engage and articulate contemporary philosophical problems and describe the ways philosophers have grappled with fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, ethics, aesthetics and the human condition (among others).
- Communicate with precise philosophical argumentation, reason-informed critical reflection and clear argumentative prose, and recognize as well as critically evaluate the validity and truth of philosophical arguments.
Career opportunities
Philosophy is cross-disciplinary in scope, drawing upon faculty and courses in all divisions of the college, and preparing you for diverse career options. Our graduates possess the critical thinking skills that in high demand in today’s evolving job market. You’ll be prepared for careers in data management and analysis, writing and ministry, as well as graduate study in theology, religious studies and many more.
Course listing
In order to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Fresno Pacific University, students must complete at least 120 units. Along with completing all required courses in their selected area of study, general education requirements must be met by all graduates. See the general education summary in the undergraduate academic catalog for more information.
Select programs may not provide enough units for a student to graduate and therefore an emphasis and/or elective courses must be completed alongside the major. Please see below for emphases related to this area of study.
General Education Prerequisites (3 Units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 100 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
Required Courses* (Minimum 33 Units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 103 | Logic and Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PHIL 110 | Introduction to Philosophical Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 331 | Ancient Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 335 or PHIL 450 | Modern Philosophy or History of Political Theory and Ideas | 3 |
| PHIL 485 | Senior Project | 3 |
Electives
Select at least 18 units from the following
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 286 | Topics in Philosophy ** | 3 |
| BUS 365 | Business Ethics | 3 |
| HIST 435 | American Intellectual History | 4 |
| HIST 360 | Greece: Drama and Paideia in the Polis | 4 |
| LIT 426 | English Literature: C.S. Lewis | 3 |
| LIT 460 | Critical Approaches to Literature | 3 |
| PHIL 330 | Ancient and Medieval Rhetoric | 3 |
| PHIL 333 | Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 340 | Eastern Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 370 | Bioethics | 3 |
| PHIL 393 | Twentieth Century Western Thought | 3 |
| PHIL 405 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| PHIL 430 | American Wilderness Literature and Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 450 | History of Political Theory and Ideas | 3 |
| PHIL 455 | Philosophy of Language | 3 |
| PHIL 460 | Philosophy of History | 3 |
| PHIL 470 | History and Philosophy of Science | 4 |
| PHIL 486 | Topics in Philosophy ** | 3 |
| PSY 450 | History and Systems of Psychology | 4 |
| THEO 430 | Contemporary Theologies | 3 |
*An upper-division course from another program may count toward the philosophy major if the course is pertinent to the philosophy major and approved by the philosophy program director. In addition to PHIL 100, philosophy majors are strongly encouraged to take PHIL 103, PHIL 331 and PHIL 335 before taking other upper-division courses.
** Multiple iterations of PHIL 286 or PHIL 486 can be taken, when the topic designation of each course is distinct from other iterations student has completed.
Program director
