Philosophy
Student Transfer Achievement Reform (STAR) Act (SB1440) 
Associate in Arts
Transfer Preparation* (Major Code: 01835)
Philosophy, humanity’s oldest intellectual discipline, asks fundamental questions about the nature of thought and existence from various perspectives. This discipline explores the scope and limits of human knowledge, the ultimate constituents of reality, the sources of values and obligation, and the nature of logic and correct reasoning. Through philosophy, one may think about and develop perspectives on topics as diverse as science, religion, language, logic, truth, ethics, politics, and law.
The lower-division requirements give both the philosophy major and the general education student an excellent vehicle for refining his/her skills in critical reasoning and rational decision making. The application of philosophical ideas to the practical problems of life is an essential part of the curriculum. Philosophy majors who plan a career in teaching at the college or university level must complete a bachelor’s degree and a graduate-level degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Identify, describe, formulate and analyze major philosophical themes, questions and positions in their historical context.
- Demonstrate the qualities of open-minded awareness and critical thinking in the articulation and analysis of major themes and concepts found in world philosophy.
The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:
- Completion of minimum 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable degree applicable courses.
- Minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework.
- Minimum 18 semester or 27 quarter units in major or area of emphasis with a minimum grade of “C” (or “Pass”) for each course in the major.
- Completion of the California State University General Education (CSU GE) Breadth pattern or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern. For more information, refer to the catalog section, “Certificate of Achievement” under Graduation, Certificates, and Degree Requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | ||
or PHIL 120 | ETHICS: THEORY AND PRACTICE | |
| List A | ||
| Select one of the following or any Required Core course not already used: | 3 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | ||
| ETHICS: THEORY AND PRACTICE | ||
| List B | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| WESTERN CIVILIZATION I | ||
| WESTERN CIVILIZATION II | ||
| WORLD RELIGIONS | ||
| List C | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-6 | |
| WORLD HISTORY I | ||
| WORLD HISTORY II | ||
| HUMANITIES THROUGH THE ARTS I | ||
| HUMANITIES THROUGH THE ARTS II | ||
| CULTURE AND THE MEDIA | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITIES: ARTS AND IDEAS | ||
| WORLD MYTHOLOGY | ||
| MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE | ||
| LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE | ||
| CHICANO LITERATURE | ||
| AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE | ||
| LITERATURE OF THE U.S. - MEXICO BORDERLANDS AND BAJA CALIFORNIA | ||
| LITERATURE BY WOMEN | ||
| AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I | ||
| MANDARIN CHINESE I | ||
| ELEMENTARY FRENCH I | ||
| ELEMENTARY ITALIAN I | ||
| INTRODUCTORY ELEMENTARY JAPANESE and CONTINUATION OF ELEMENTARY JAPANESE | ||
| BEGINNING JAPANESE I | ||
| ELEMENTARY FILIPINO I | ||
| ELEMENTARY PORTUGUESE I | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO ELEMENTARY SPANISH and CONTINUATION OF ELEMENTARY SPANISH | ||
| ELEMENTARY SPANISH I | ||
| AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE II | ||
| MANDARIN CHINESE II | ||
| ELEMENTARY FRENCH II | ||
| ELEMENTARY ITALIAN II | ||
| BEGINNING JAPANESE II | ||
| ELEMENTARY FILIPINO II | ||
| ELEMENTARY PORTUGUESE II | ||
| ELEMENTARY SPANISH II | ||
| INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I | ||
| INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN I | ||
| INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE I | ||
| INTERMEDIATE FILIPINO I | ||
| INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I | ||
| INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II | ||
| INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN II | ||
| INTERMEDIATE JAPANESE II | ||
| INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II | ||
| SPANISH FOR BILINGUALS I | ||
| SPANISH FOR BILINGUALS II | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE FOR BILINGUALS | ||
| INTERMEDIATE CONVERSATION AND WRITING ON SPANISH CULTURE | ||
| INTERMEDIATE CONVERSATION AND WRITING ON LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE | ||
| Total Units | 18-21 | |
- *
Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete courses specific to the transfer institution of choice. University requirements vary from institution to institution and are subject to change. Therefore, it is important to verify transfer major preparation and general education requirements through consultation with a counselor in either the Counseling Center or Career and Transfer Connections. See catalog Transfer Courses Information section for further information.
SDSU also requires three consecutive courses in a single foreign language as part of the requirement for the bachelor’s degree. Foreign language competency may also be demonstrated by successfully completing four years of one foreign language in high school or by successfully completing a challenge examination. See a counselor for additional information.