Philosophy - Prelaw Option, B.A.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements Philosophy - Prelaw Option

Students must select from the Philosophy Major, the Prelaw Option, or the Religious Studies Option.

Philosophy Major Requirements (33 units)

Core (18 units)

Lower-Division:

PHIL 25 - Methods of Reasoning Units: 3

Upper-Division:

PHIL 101 - Ancient Philosophy Units: 3
PHIL 115 - Ethical Theory Units: 3
PHIL 126 - Social Justice Units: 3
PHIL 131 - Comparative Religion Units: 3
PHIL 170T - Senior Seminar Units: 1-4

Prelaw Option (15 units)

The Prelaw Option emphasizes critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as ethics and issues related to law. It also includes a law-related intern experience. Law schools do not prefer any specific major, but emphasize critical thinking and general education. (See Preprofessional Preparation). Students with a strong interest in philosophy as well as law may find this option valuable. Depending upon the interests of the student, courses or minors in political science, business, criminology, and a variety of social sciences would be useful electives for the Prelaw Option.

Required Courses:

PHIL 127 - Philosophy of Law Units: 3
PHIL 199

Choose One Course (3 units) From:

PHIL 118 - Social and Political Theory Units: 3
PHIL 121 - Ethics in Criminal Justice Units: 3
PHIL 122 - Introduction to Professional Ethics Units: 3
PHIL 125W - Issues in Political Philosophy Units: 3
PHIL 157 - Freedom, Fate, and Choice Units: 3

Choose One Approved Upper-Division Philosophy Elective (3 units)

Choose One Course (3 units) From:

AFRS 146 - Law and the Minority Community Units: 3
ANTH 119 - Law and Culture Units: 3
BA 18 - Business and the Legal Environment Units: 4
COMM 105 - Argumentation Theory Units: 3
COMM 149 - Freedom of Speech Units: 3
COMM 163 - Social Influence and Attitude Change Units: 3
CRIM 20 - Criminal Law Units: 3
PLSI 110 - Seminar in History of Political Thought to Machiavelli Units: 3
PLSI 111 - Seminar in History of Political Thought Since Machiavelli Units: 3
PLSI 170 - Constitutional Law, the Federal Structure Units: 3
PLSI 171 - Constitutional Law, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights Units: 3

General Education Requirements (48 units)

Other Requirements (9 units)

American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2 ), Multicultural and International (MI), and Upper-division writing

Total Units: 120*

* Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies)

* G.E. and MI courses can be double-counted with major requirements. See advisor for details. This total indicates that PHIL 25 (3 units) in G.E. Foundation A3 may be applied to the philosophy major.

Advising Notes

CR/NC grading is not permitted in courses used to fulfill the philosophy major requirements.
General Education and elective units may be used toward a double major or minor (See Degree Requirements). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty advisor for further information.
Students intending to pursue graduate study in philosophy, law, or religious studies should seek a faculty advisor’s help in planning adequate preparation.
Visit the Philosophy Department office or your faculty advisor for the list of approved T classes for the major.