2025-2026 General Catalog
Source: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/philosophy/philosophy-ab/ Parent: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext
Philosophy addresses problems and questions that arise in all areas of human thought and experience and in all disciplines. Recurring questions about the nature of value, the good life, right conduct, knowledge, truth, language, mind, and reality are central to philosophical study. Philosophy also investigates the methodologies and assumptions of the major disciplines in the university in order to deepen our understanding of the sciences, of mathematics, art, literature, and history, and of religion and morality. It leads us to address issues about the nature of these subjects, about the methods of reasoning characteristic of them, and about the contributions they make to our understanding of ourselves and our world.
Philosophy contributes to the liberal education of its students. The department emphasizes an analytic approach to philosophical questions, which trains students to understand and evaluate arguments and to think and write precisely and clearly. These skills are of immense value in a variety of careers.
The Program
The Department of Philosophy offers its majors a choice among three options. The General Emphasis provides a broad view of the field of philosophy. It includes a breadth requirement at the lower division level while providing students wide choice in more advanced courses. The Pre-Law and Pre-Med Emphases include courses that provide philosophical perspectives on law and medicine respectively and that also provide important preparation for professional school.
The Department offers courses in most areas of contemporary analytic philosophy including the theory of knowledge, metaphysics, logic, ethics, and political philosophy. In addition, upper division courses are offered in oral and political philosophy, and aesthetics, and in the philosophy of religion, of mind, of language, of mathematics, of law, and of the physical, biological and social sciences. The problems of philosophy have important roots in past. The history of philosophy is important not only as part of the heritage of educated persons, but also because it is relevant to contemporary issues. For these reasons, the department places great emphasis on the history of philosophy, providing courses on the major figures and traditions of western philosophy.
Major Advisor
Staff advisors are located in the Blue Ridge Office Building. For information about how to contact a major advisor, see Major Advising.
Faculty Advisor
Rohan French, Ph.D.
Career Pathways
Students of philosophy learn to understand and evaluate arguments and to think and write precisely and clearly. These analytical skills are assets in any career. Many of our majors have pursued graduate study in philosophy and have become philosophers in their own right. Others have pursued academic careers in related disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Philosophy majors are well prepared for law, business, or other professional schools and have found careers in computer programming, government service, teaching, the ministry, and social work. Those wishing to attend law school or medical school should consider pursuing the Pre-Law and Pre-Med emphases, respectively.
Honors Program
The department offers an honors program, which gives qualifying majors the opportunity to work closely with faculty and graduate students. Information can be obtained on the Honors Program page of the Philosophy Department website.
Courses for Non-Majors
Department Activities
The Philosophy department sponsors a lecture series with well-known philosophers who present papers in their fields of expertise. The department also operates ongoing faculty and graduate student workshops. Undergraduate students are welcome to attend and join these discussions. Information can be obtained on the department website.
Graduate Study
The Department of Philosophy offers programs of study leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Detailed information is available Graduate Program, and may also be obtained by writing to the Graduate Advisor.
Graduate Advisor
Tina Rulli, Ph.D.
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