Philosophy AA-T Degree

Philosophy, which can be called “the science of the Big Picture”, is the systematic study of concepts such as knowledge, truth, reality, logic and rationality, ethics and morality, justice, beauty, mind, and God. Philosophy is concerned with posing and answering questions as difficult and varied as What is truth? Could each person have their own truth? What is the relation of formal logic to ordinary reasoning? How should human beings live their lives? How does our familiar human world of thoughts, sensations, and feelings fit into the larger world that is described by the natural sciences? Can there be human actions that are morally right (or wrong) independently of a society’s judgment? Does beauty exist only in the eye of the beholder? And finally, does God exist?

Career paths chosen by students pursuing undergraduate studies in philosophy commonly include the foreign service, computer science, and creative writing. Careers in the discipline that generally require graduate-level degrees include college teaching, law, medicine, psychiatry, and social work.

The Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer, also called the Philosophy AA-T Degree, prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor’s degrees in philosophy. Students earning the Philosophy AA-T Degree will be granted priority for admission as a philosophy major to a local CSU, as determined by the CSU campus to which the student applies. This Philosophy AA-T degree requires students to meet both of the following requirements:

1. Completion of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
   • Completion of Cal-GETC.
   • A minimum of 18 semester units in a major or area of emphasis. All courses in the major or area of emphasis must be completed with a grade of "C" (or "P") or better.
2. Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

There are no additional graduation requirements. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

Learning Outcomes

1. 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. Students should be able to articulate the relevance of these questions in contemporary life.
2. Compare and contrast the principles of at least two of the following ethical approaches: Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue ethics, Feminist ethics. Apply at least one of these ethical perspectives to developing a possible solution to a contemporary moral problem.
3. Evaluate patterns of deductive and inductive reasoning through summary and analysis of complex arguments while relating them to their own experience.
4. Compare and contrast the philosophical systems of at least two philosophers from each of the ancient, modern, and contemporary eras in order to demonstrate competency in relating a philosopher's ideas to the history of philosophy. Students should be able to demonstrate open-mindedness with regard to divergent and conflicting theories.

Program Requirements

¹

Units for the major may be double counted for Cal-GETC, confer with a Counselor.

²

Elective units to reach 60 unit total must be CSU transferable, confer with a Counselor.

Please refer to Associate Degree for Transfer (SB 1440).