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Home Academics Programs and Majors Philosophy

Philosophy

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Philosophy (PHIL) Courses

PHIL 300 Introduction to Philosophy

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL 488, ENGL C1000, or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L1B; Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • C-ID:C-ID PHIL 100
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course uses critical thinking techniques to analyze and evaluate the positions, arguments, and methods of different thinkers as expressed in primary texts. Topics might include the existence of God, free-will vs. determinism, the concept of the self, the nature and limits of scientific knowledge, the nature of truth, the nature of values, the basis of moral judgments, natural rights, and the nature of the state.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate, orally and in writing, a comprehension of the positions, arguments, and methods of various thinkers as expressed in primary texts.
  • demonstrate a critical understanding of diverse arguments on major philosophical topics such as the possibility of free will, the concept of the self, the nature and limits of scientific knowledge, the basis of moral judgments, or the nature of the state.
  • formulate and argue, orally and in writing, for a position on a philosophical topic such as the concept of the self, the nature and limits of scientific knowledge, or the basis of moral judgments.

PHIL 306 Environmental Philosophy

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL 488, ENGL C1000, or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course explores historical and contemporary philosophical positions regarding our place in nature and how these positions apply to specific environmental issues. It examines what makes the natural environment valuable and the responsibilities that arise from that value. In addition, it presents theories regarding how the environment affects and is affected by our beliefs.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • explain environmental challenges such as global climate change, sea acidification, deforestation, etc. and why they require philosophical attention.
  • properly use technical terminology in regard to the environment and explain how various philosophical positions contribute to the current state of affairs.
  • identify, describe, explain, and critically evaluate philosophical positions and arguments pertinent to both our place in and our interaction with the environment.

PHIL 310 Introduction to Ethics

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • C-ID:C-ID PHIL 120
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the student to classical and contemporary ethical theories and their application to a variety of contemporary moral issues such as euthanasia, capital punishment, animal rights, bio-ethics, the ethics of artificial intelligence (AI), the ethics of war and peace, and our relationship to the environment.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • define, analyze, and appraise both metaethical issues such as moral relativism and normative theories such as virtue ethics, utilitarianism, deontological ethics, and consequentialism.
  • examine, compare, and evaluate various ethical theories with respect to specific applied ethical issues such as capital punishment and animal rights.
  • demonstrate an understanding of, and an ability to properly use, technical language in regard to both metaethical and normative issues.
  • identify and analyze the logical structures of moral arguments and their components.

PHIL 320 Logic and Critical Reasoning

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L1B
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course, Logic and Critical Reasoning, provides instruction and practice in effective, purposeful, and rational thinking. The student will learn to identify premises and conclusions in arguments, to identify cogent inductive arguments, and valid deductive arguments. Special emphasis is placed on recognizing and overcoming perceptual and cognitive errors and biases that hinder the ability to think critically. The standards of critical thinking and logic will be discussed in terms of their historical development and their cultural impact on society.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • delineate, explain, and use the fundamental structures of logic, including but not limited to argument form, validity, inference, abduction, strength, and soundness.
  • demonstrate knowledge of and ability to discern common fallacies of argument and advertising; identify bias and prejudice in premises.
  • analyze and evaluate the reliability of various sources of evidence including eyewitnesses, experts, mass media, textbooks, and others.

PHIL 325 Symbolic Logic

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L1B
  • C-ID:C-ID PHIL 210
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introduction to propositional and predicate logic. It includes study of syntax and semantics, truth tables, derivations to prove the validity of arguments, methods for determining logical truth, contradiction, inconsistency, and logical equivalence, and the logic of relations and identity. The course is recommended for students of the sciences, computer programming, mathematics, and philosophy.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • evaluate the validity and soundness of arguments expressed in English.
  • transcribe sentences of English into the formal languages of propositional and predicate logic.
  • construct truth tables to evaluate arguments for validity, to determine whether a sentence is a logical truth or a contradiction, and to determine whether sets of sentences are inconsistent or logically equivalent.
  • prove the validity of arguments in propositional and predicate logic using formal proof techniques, such as natural deduction.

PHIL 330 History of Classical Philosophy

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL 488, ENGL C1000, or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • C-ID:C-ID PHIL 130
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a study of the origin and development of Western philosophy during the period of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The course is recommended for philosophy, history, and humanities majors. Credit may be earned for PHIL 330 or PHIL 480 but not for both.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • explain a pre-Socratic philosopher's metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical views using primary source material.
  • explain and critically evaluate Plato's metaphysical, epistemological, or ethical views using primary source material.
  • explain and critically evaluate Aristotle's metaphysical, epistemological, or ethical views using primary source material.
  • explain various post-Aristotelian philosophers' views on how to attain solace in this life using primary source material.

PHIL 331 History of Modern Philosophy

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • C-ID:C-ID PHIL 140
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a study of the development of Western philosophy from Descartes to Kant. It is recommended for all philosophy, history, and humanities majors. Credit may be earned for PHIL 331 or PHIL 481, but not both.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • explain the criticisms of scholasticism made by modern philosophers such as Descartes, Locke, and Kant.
  • explain key concepts in epistemology and metaphysics, such as material and immaterial substance, idea, causality, God, skepticism, space and time, and free will and determinism, as presented by Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant.
  • explain the main positions, and central arguments, of three major modern philosophers.
  • compare and contrast the positions of any two of the early modern philosophers.

PHIL 338 Contemporary Philosophy

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL 488, ENGL C1000, or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course addresses contributions to Western Philosophy in the 20th and 21st century. Topic examples include Existentialism, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language, Feminism, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Film, and Environmental Ethics.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate familiarity with and explain major contributions to 20th and 21st century philosophical thought.
  • explain and critique specific, selected works by thinkers such as Camus, Searle, Kuhn, Kim, and Nussbaum.
  • identify problems and challenges to current areas of inquiry and pose possible solutions or future directions.
  • demonstrate the ability to analyze, evaluate, and construct cogent arguments and apply them to issues covered in the coursework.

PHIL 352 Introduction to World Religions

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introductory survey of selected world religions. Emphasis is on the origins, beliefs, and practices of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • explain basic terms, beliefs, and practices of the religions studied.
  • correlate basic terms, beliefs, and practices with apt quotations from classic texts of the religions studied.
  • describe the cultural and historical developments of the religions studied.
  • recognize the contributions of the religions studied to cultural diversity in the United States.

PHIL 368 Law, Justice, and Punishment

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course examines the historical, cultural, legal, and philosophical foundations of American law and justice. Topics include: core principles such as rights, justice, the nature of law, freedom of speech, equal protection, and legal precedent; major theoretical frameworks, including statutory and constitutional interpretation, utilitarian and retributive theories of punishment, and justice as fairness; and key legal practices such as the exclusionary rule, plea bargaining, and the insanity defense.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • identify, expose, evaluate, and discuss arguments and positions presented in legal texts.
  • demonstrate familiarity with the content of texts and the capacity to use appropriate legal and philosophical terminology in regard to those cases.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the legal theories at work and some of the history contributing to these positions and laws.
  • compose cogent essays regarding what we have studied.

PHIL 480 History of Classical Philosophy - Honors

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL 488, ENGL C1000, or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • C-ID:C-ID PHIL 130
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a study of the origin and development of Western philosophy during the period of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The course is recommended for philosophy, history, and humanities majors. This honors section uses an intensive instructional methodology designed to challenge motivated students. Credit may be earned for PHIL 330 or PHIL 480 but not for both.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • explain a pre-Socratic philosopher's metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical views using primary source material.
  • explain and critically evaluate Plato's metaphysical, epistemological, or ethical views using primary source material.
  • explain and critically evaluate Aristotle's metaphysical, epistemological, or ethical views using primary source material.
  • explain various post-Aristotelian philosophers' views on how to attain solace in this life using primary source material.

PHIL 481 History of Modern Philosophy - Honors

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL 488, ENGL C1000, or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3B
  • C-ID:C-ID PHIL 140
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a study of the development of Western philosophy from Descartes to Kant. It is recommended for all philosophy, history, and humanities majors. Honors courses are open to students who demonstrate an ability to write carefully reasoned, well-organized essays of varying lengths, are prepared to make clear oral presentations in class, and are able to actively contribute to seminar discussions. Credit may be earned for PHIL 331 or PHIL 481, but not both.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • explain the criticisms of scholasticism made by modern philosophers such as Descartes, Locke, and Kant.
  • explain key concepts in epistemology and metaphysics, such as material and immaterial substance, idea, causality, God, skepticism, space and time, and free will and determinism, as presented by Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant.
  • explain the main positions and central arguments of three major modern philosophers.
  • compare and contrast the positions of any two of the early modern philosophers studied.

PHIL 495 Independent Studies in Philosophy

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

An independent studies project involves an individual student or a small group of students who wish to study, research, and/or pursue philosophical topics beyond those covered in regularly offered courses. This course will allow students to study specific topics and gain new perspectives in the discipline. U.C. transfer credit will be awarded only after the course has been evaluated by the enrolling UC campus. The units completed for this course cannot be counted toward the minimum 60 units required for admission.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • analyze and apply the knowledge, skills, and experience that are offered during the independent study project.
  • understand and communicate the relevance of the independent study project to the broader discipline.

PHIL 499 Experimental Offering in Philosophy

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

Themes and experimental offerings in Philosophy 11 will encompass topics from the following areas: (a) knowledge and existence, (b) self and mind, (c) philosophy and the arts, (d) norms and politics, (e) philosophy of the East and West, (f) philosophical literature and myths, (g) science and human nature, and (h) specific ideas of individual philosophies. The course may be repeated for credit providing there is no duplication of topics.

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Arts and Communication

Arts and Communication meta major

This program is part of the Arts and Communication meta major.

Arts and Communication