Philosophy - Pre-Law Option, B.A.

The Department of Philosophy

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Students must select from the Philosophy Major, the Pre-Law Option, or the Religious Studies Option.

Philosophy Major Requirements (33 units)

Core (18 units)

Lower-Division:

PHIL 25 - Methods of Reasoning Units: 3 (Area A3)

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 199I - Fieldwork in Philosophy and Law Units: 3

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

Other Degree Requirements

In addition to the major program requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate degree requirements such as:

American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2 )
General Education Requirements (48 units)
Multicultural and International (MI)
Upper-division Writing
Sufficient Elective Units to Meet Required Total Units (varies); it is recommended that units in this area be utilized to complete a second major or minor.

A full description of the University’s graduation requirements can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

Total Units: 120*

*General Education, MI, and Upper-division Writing courses can be double counted with major requirements. This includes PHIL 25 (Area A3). See advisor for details.

Advising Notes

CR/NC grading is not permitted in courses used to fulfill the philosophy major requirements.
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.