Philosophy Major & Minor



Philosophy wrestles with fundamental questions in all areas of human knowledge and activity. Such questions include:
  • How does knowledge differ from mere belief?
  • Do I determine my actions or are they determined by other causes?
  • Is my mind different from my body?
  • What makes an action right?
  • What makes a life good?
  • What makes a society just?
  • What makes a work of art beautiful?
Struggling with and developing reasoned views about such issues enlarge one's capacity for clear thinking, effective writing, and persuasive speaking. Philosophy encourages the intellectual curiosity necessary for a life of sustained inquiry and cultivates a taste for matters of importance over matters of show. Moreover, philosophy's preference for rational persuasion over compulsion prepares one for responsible citizenship in a diverse nation and world.

Learning Objectives

Students completing Southern Virginia's philosophy major are expected to acquire the following:
  1. Basic knowledge of the history of Western philosophy. (History)
  2. Basic knowledge of formal and informal logic. (Logic)
  3. Understanding of central areas of philosophy and of some major historical figures or movements. (Areas)
  4. Ability to explain and argue for philosophical positions in clear written English. (Writing)
Program coordinator: Dr. Jan-Erik Jones

Major Requirements (29–30 credit hours)

Major Core (8–9 credit hours):

LIB 110 Reason and the Self (GE) (3)
PHI 223 Introduction to Logic (GE) (3)
PHI 498 Senior Paper (2–3)

Major Electives: an additional 21 credit hours of philosophy coursework, including three credit hours from each of the following four areas:
  1. ancient philosophy (PHI 355R)
  2. modern philosophy (PHI 365R)
  3. metaphysics and epistemology (PHI 325R, 326, 333, or 335R)
  4. ethics (PHI 340, 345R, or 350).
POL 213 Western Political Theory (3) may be used as an elective in the philosophy major but does not satisfy one of the four distribution areas.

Minor Requirements (15 credit hours)

Minor Core (6 credit hours):

LIB 110 Reason and the Self (3)
PHI 223 Introduction to Logic (GE) (3)

Minor Electives: an additional 9 credit hours from among the major electives.

Note on PHI 210 and 215

PHI 210 and 215 were discontinued after the 2006–07 academic year and LIB 110 began to be offered in their place.

Philosophy majors and minors who passed either PHI 210 or 215, but not both, prior to fall 2007 should complete the above requirements for the philosophy major or minor, but are not required to take LIB 110.  PHI 210 or 215 may be used as a substitute for LIB 110 in the new major and minor.

Philosophy majors who passed both PHI 210 and 215 prior to fall 2007 should complete PHI 223, 498, and 18 additional upper-division credit hours of philosophy, including either PHI 326 or 333.  Philosophy minors who passed both PHI 210 and 215 prior to fall 2007 should complete PHI 223 and six upper-division credit hours of philosophy to finish the minor.