The study of Philosophy can be challenging because it asks students to critically examine very fundamental questions about what it means to be human - behavior, values, ethics, logic, aesthetics. Some describe it as "thinking in slow motion" because of the way it explores in depth the human experience.
Students choose philosophy because it instills a lifelong love and quest for knowledge, it imparts a disciplined and systematic way of thinking, and it enhances critical and analytical capacities. Most graduates of philosophy describe the great personal reward that comes from exploring the great thinkers of the past in the context of modern issues. But, they also passionately value the career skills that they developed - how to read and comprehend difficult text; how to understand different interpretations of information and assess opposing viewpoints; how to craft a clear and logical position on an issue in writing and orally; and how to make connections between smaller, seemingly disparate details and the big picture.
By mid-career, philosophy majors outearn business majors, on average, largely because their knowledge and skills make them excellent leaders in business, nonprofit, law, government work, education, and more.
The undergraduate program is relatively small, resulting in more one-on-one attention from faculty than might be found at another university.
Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree
Complete 120 credits including 90 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 36 of the 90 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300) courses. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.
To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.
University General Education Requirements (GER)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Oral and Written Communication | ||
| Part A | ||
| Achieve a grade of C or better in the following course: | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research (or equivalent) | |
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as OWC-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Part A | ||
| Earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course, or achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) | ||
| Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | ||
| Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | ||
| Introduction to College Algebra | ||
| Algebraic Literacy II | ||
| Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | ||
or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| College Algebra | ||
Or equivalent course | ||
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as QL-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits (at least two courses including one lab) | 6 | |
| UWM Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| Complete Foreign Language Requirement through: | ||
Two years (high school) of a single foreign language | ||
Two semesters (college) of a single foreign language | ||
Or equivalent | ||
| UWM Cultural Diversity Requirement | ||
| One course from the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences must also satisfy UWM's Cultural Diversity requirement | ||
- 1
Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
College of Letters & Science Requirements
I. English Composition Requirement
Students must satisfy the English Composition Requirement with one of the following options:
1) Completing ENGLISH 102 with a grade of C or higher; or
2) by placing beyond ENGLISH 102 on the English Placement Test (EPT) (or other assessment as determined by the English Department); or
3) transferring a course of at least 2.5 equivalent credits from another institution that is equivalent to English 102, or a UWM higher-level expository writing course, with a grade of C or higher.
Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part A. The College of Letters & Science does not have a specific requirement for a writing course beyond English 102, but students must complete the university-wide requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part B listed above.
II. Mathematics and Formal Reasoning
To satisfy the Mathematics and Formal Reasoning Requirement, students must satisfy the following two requirements:
1. Achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) or earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 102 | Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | 3 |
| MATH 103 | Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Introduction to College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 108 | Algebraic Literacy II | 3 |
| MATH 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | 3 |
| or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| MATH 116 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 175 | Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I | 3 |
- 1
Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part A, listed above.
2. Complete one course (at least 3 credits) at the 200 level or above chosen from courses in Mathematics, PHILOS 211, or Letters and Science statistics courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | ||
3 or more credits in any 200-level or above Math course | ||
| Introduction to Statistics in African and African Diaspora Studies | ||
| Introduction to Anthropological Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Economic Statistics | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Geography | ||
| The Quantitative Analysis of Historical Data | ||
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | ||
| Elementary Logic | ||
| Political Data Analysis | ||
| Survey Research | ||
| Psychological Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology | ||
Note: This requirement is NOT the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part B. To complete the BA, students must take one of the L&S approved courses. Not all of the courses listed here will satisfy the QL-B requirement.
III. Foreign Language Requirement
Placement testing may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work.
Completion of the L&S Language Requirement also satisfies the university-wide Foreign Language GER, but not vice versa.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completed in one of the following ways: | 0-18 | |
Successful completion of the 4th semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language) | ||
Successful completion of the 3rd semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language) PLUS the 2nd semester of college work or equivalent in another language other than English (including American Sign Language) | ||
IV. International Requirement
See Approved Courses for the L&S International Requirement for course options.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completed in one of the following ways: | 9 | |
Complete 3 courses (min. 9 cr) in a single foreign language (not including literature-in-translation or American Sign Language) at the 3rd semester level and above | ||
Complete 3 non-language courses (min. 9 credits) with an international content chosen from at least 2 curricular areas. | ||
Complete 9 credits in combination of the two options above. | ||
V. Breadth Requirement
Along with completing the University General Education Requirements of 3 credits in the Arts (A); 6 credits in the Humanities (HU), Social Sciences (SS), and Natural Sciences (NS/NS+); and a course with the Cultural Diversity (CD/+) designation, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S courses with Humanities Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single subject area. * | 12 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Social Science Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. * | 12 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Natural Sciences Breadth designation, including at least one laboratory or field course; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. * | 12 | |
| Cultural Diversity | ||
| Complete 3 credits in a course with Cultural Diversity (CD) designation. ** | 3 | |
- *
Students should check their course selections carefully with the list of approved L&S Breadth Courses. Students are advised to select at least 6 credits worth of courses in each of the Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Sciences areas that can satisfy both the campus-wide General Education Requirements and the L&S Breadth requirement.
- **
Students are advised to select a course that satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement as well as a Humanities or Social Science breadth/GER requirement.
VI. The Major
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments. Contact your major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.
Research Requirement
Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty. A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.
VII. The Minor
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work.
Philosophy Major Requirements
At UWM, incoming freshmen interested in studying philosophy are advised to begin with the general introductory course, PHILOS 101, though there are several courses, especially at the 200 level, that are open to students without a background in philosophy. The 300 level includes courses designed to provide more in-depth treatments of traditional philosophical areas. Courses at the 400 level are devoted to the history of philosophy. Courses at the 500 level deal with specific issues and problems.
The College of Letters & Science requires that students complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. Students also must attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, they must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.
Students must fulfill the capstone/research requirement in the senior year. It is recommended strongly that students become proficient in at least one related academic discipline. Each major will be asked to submit a paper for inclusion in a portfolio that is kept in the department. Typically, this will be a paper written for PHILOS 685. It should be stressed that this is not an additional requirement for graduation as a major. Rather, it is part of the department's ongoing effort to evaluate and improve our major program.
A minimum of 30 credits in philosophy is required.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PHILOS 211 | Elementary Logic 1 | 3 |
| PHILOS 430 | Great Thinkers of the Ancient Period | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of Medieval Philosophy | ||
| Great Thinkers of the Modern Period | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Philosophers | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Modern Ethical Theories | ||
| Great Moral Philosophers | ||
| Political Philosophy | ||
| The Philosophy of Law | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Mind and Knowledge | ||
| Buddhist Philosophy | ||
| Metaphysics | ||
| Philosophy of Science | ||
| Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Action, Will, and Freedom | ||
| Select any philosophy course numbered 500 or above (excluding the course you choose to satisfy the capstone requirement) | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 credits of philosophy electives | 9 | |
| Capstone/Research Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Advanced Topics: | ||
| Senior Capstone Research Seminar: | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
PHILOS 212, or a more advanced course in logic may be substituted for PHILOS 211 with the permission of the department chair.
Suggested four-year plan
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| PHILOS 101 | Introduction to Philosophy: (satisfies HU GER) | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 | Introduction to College Writing | 3 |
| First semester world language | 4 | |
| L&S Social Sciences GER (L&S SS breadth) | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research (satisfies OWC-A GER) | 3 |
| PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning (satisfies QL-A GER) | 3 |
| Second semester world language | 4 | |
| L&S Social Sciences GER (L&S SS breadth) | 3 | |
| L&S Natural Sciences GER (L&S NS breadth) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHILOS 211 | Elementary Logic (satisfies QL-B GER) | 3 |
| Third semester world language | 3 | |
| L&S HU breadth (not Philosophy)/International | 3 | |
| L&S Social Sciences GER (L&S SS breadth) | 3 | |
| ARTS GER | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Philosophy elective (200-level) | 3 | |
| Fourth semester world language | 3 | |
| L&S Natural Sciences GER with lab (L&S NS breadth) | 4 | |
| L&S Cultural Diversity GER | 3 | |
| L&S elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHILOS 430 | Great Thinkers of the Ancient Period | 3 |
| PHILOS 351 | Philosophy of Mind | 3 |
| L&S Humanities breadth (not Philosophy) | 3 | |
| L&S Social Sciences breadth/International | 3 | |
| L&S Natural Sciences breadth | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHILOS 432 | Great Thinkers of the Modern Period | 3 |
| PHILOS 341 | Modern Ethical Theories (satisfies GER OWC-B) | 3 |
| Philosophy elective (any level) | 3 | |
| L&S Natural Sciences breadth | 3 | |
| L&S Social Sciences breadth/International | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHILOS 681 | Seminar in Advanced Topics: (satisfies L&S research requirement) | 3 |
| Philosophy elective (300-level or above) | 3 | |
| L&S elective (numbered 300 or above) | 3 | |
| L&S elective (numbered 300 or above) | 3 | |
| L&S elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Philosophy course 500-level or above | 3 | |
| L&S elective (numbered 300 or above) | 3 | |
| L&S elective (numbered 300 or above) | 3 | |
| L&S elective (numbered 300 or above) | 3 | |
| L&S elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors, and success coaches. Letters and Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional College Advisors and Faculty Advisors. L&S College Advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental Faculty Advisors focus on the major.
College Advisors are located in Holton Hall and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College Advisors will:
- assist you in defining your academic and life goals;
- help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals;
- assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures;
- provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate; and
- monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty Advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a Faculty Advisor when you declare your major. Faculty Advisors are an important partner and will:
- help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department;
- explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences; and
- serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their College Advisor and Faculty Advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
Honors in the Major
Philosophy majors who maintain a minimum of 3.000 in all courses attempted at UWM, a 3.500 GPA in courses in the major, as well as a 3.500 GPA in all advanced courses in the major, will be awarded with honors in philosophy at graduation.
College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.