Philosophy
Associate in Arts
Program Details
The Philosophy Associate in Arts Degree includes the development of critical thinking and writing skills; the investigation of conceptual problems encountered in the course of reflecting about experience; the assessment of assumptions underlying other sciences and arts; and the exploration of intellectual and cultural history from a broad perspective. Majoring or minoring in philosophy is an excellent way of preparing for law school and other careers that involve facility in reasoning, analysis and information processing. This degree requires a total of 18 units in addition to other graduation requirements.
Philosophy Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2025-2026.
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Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Compare and contrast the epistemological and metaphysical systems of Plato, Aristotle, and at least one medieval philosopher in order to demonstrate competency in relating a philosopher's ideas to the history of philosophy.
- Compare and contrast the epistemological systems of Rationalism, Empiricism, Kantianism, and at least one nineteenth century and one contemporary philosopher while making connections between a philosopher's views and the influence of culture on these views. In addition students should be able to articulate openmindedness with regard to divergent and conflicting theories
- Compare and contrast the principles of at least two of the following ethical approaches: Utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, Natural law, Virtue ethics, Feminist ethics. In doing so, the context of works and movements to the various author\s' philosophies should be articulated.
- Evaluate patterns of deductive and inductive reasoning through summary and analysis of complex arguments while relating them to their own experience.
- Identify and explain major philosophical terms and concepts by being able to employ terminology used in philosophical arguments in order to understand the enduring questions in philosophy.