加州大学圣克鲁兹分校

Introduction

Philosophy investigates fundamental questions about the basic human thoughts concerning knowledge and belief (epistemology), the nature of reality (metaphysics), and morality and aesthetics (value theory). The department offers courses that relate traditional questions to contemporary work in literature and the social and natural sciences. In addition, the department offers several courses that make a careful study of the classic texts in philosophy, ancient and modern.

Students of philosophy can pursue a broad range of topics of the greatest historical, intellectual, and personal interest. Philosophy majors should emerge with the following knowledge and skills:

1. An ability to argue cogently for a philosophical point and to analyze and criticize the arguments of others.

2. A familiarity with the central concepts and key debates in the core areas of contemporary philosophical thought, including ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

3. A familiarity with the works of the major figures in the history of philosophy.

4. A familiarity with formal logic, including the ability to carry out proofs within symbolic formal systems.

5. An ability to think critically and creatively about a broad range of conceptual issues and questions.

Study and Research Opportunities: Participate in the spring quarter departmental Undergraduate Colloquium; Live and study in another country through UC's Education Abroad Program; Compete for funding through the Humanities Undergraduate Research Awards (HUGRA) ; Write a senior essay under the mentorship of a faculty sponsor; Apply to undergraduate conferences for the opportunity to attend and present ; Compete in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl; attend the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics conference.

Careers: Business; Ethics (legal, business, clinical, etc.); Government service; Health care, nursing, etc.; Human Resources, employment, etc.; Law; Ministry; other religious work; Planning, architecture, design; Social work, counseling; Software development; Teaching (all levels); Writing (journalism, publishing, editing).