BA in Philosophy (Science, Reason and Values)

Units required for Major: 42
Total units required for BA: 120

Program Description

The concentration in Science, Reason and Values is designed for students who are interested in the philosophical, rational and moral foundations of science and its applications.  This concentration provides an excellent double major opportunity for science students interested in broadening and deepening their understanding of the normative elements of their chosen field. It is also a good choice for philosophy students who are interested in graduate study in the philosophy of science.

The concentration focuses on providing students with a deep understanding of the nature of scientific rationality. Topics include scientific explanation, the nature of scientific evidence, the process of confirming and revising our theories and beliefs, the problem of decision under conditions of uncertainty, and the scientific study of social phenomena.  The philosophy of science also explores traditional philosophical questions as they arise in the context of scientific inquiry. Some of these are: Do we really know that the theoretical entities of science exist? What is the difference between science and pseudo-science? Do different sciences give us fundamentally different ways of understanding the world? Is science converging on truth or will it always undergo revolutionary changes that reject widely accepted theories of the past? Does scientific inquiry have intrinsic value or are there questions that scientists should not ask?

Note: Philosophy majors must fulfill the GE Writing Intensive "supervenient requirement" with courses in the major, only.

Program Requirements

LOWER DIVISION COURSES (5 Units)
PHIL 89Philosophical Methods (Philosophical Methods)2
PHIL 60Deductive Logic I 13
UPPER DIVISION CORE COURSES (19 Units)
PHIL 112History Of Ethics 3
PHIL 127History of Ancient Philosophy3
PHIL 128History of Modern Philosophy3
PHIL 180Knowledge and Understanding3
PHIL 181Metaphysics3
PHIL 182Ethical Theory (Ethical Theory)3
PHIL 189Senior Seminar in Philosophy1
SCIENCE, REASON, AND VALUES CONCENTRATION (18 Units)
SCIENCE, REASON, AND VALUES CORE ELECTIVES
Select 3 of the following 4 courses.9
PHIL 105
Science and Human Values
PHIL 125
Philosophy Of Science 1
PHIL 156
Philosophy of the Social Sciences
PHIL 183
Rationality
Additional Electives 2
Select three courses from the Elective List for this concentration not taken to satisfy the above.9
Total Units42
1

Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

2

See Elective List below for Department approved electives for this concentration.

Elective List

PHIL 61Inductive Logic I 13
PHIL 104Bioethics 13
PHIL 105Science and Human Values 3
PHIL 106Philosophy of Medicine3
PHIL 125Philosophy Of Science 13
PHIL 153Philosophy Of Mind3
PHIL 154Philosophy Of Language3
PHIL 156Philosophy of the Social Sciences3
PHIL 160Deductive Logic II3
PHIL 183Rationality3
PHIL 190Selected Philosophers3
PHIL 192BTopics in Bioethics3
PHIL 192ETopics in Epistemology3
PHIL 192FTopics in Ethics3
PHIL 192LTopics in Philosophy Language3
PHIL 192MTopics in Philosophy of Mind3
PHIL 192OTopics in Contemporary Metaphysics3
PHIL 192PTopics in Social and Political Philosophy3
PHIL 192RTopics in Philosophy of Religion3
PHIL 192STopics in Philosophy of Science3
PHIL 192TTopics in Philosophy of Social Science3
PHIL 195Philosophy Internship 21 - 3
1

Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

2

If taken for less than 3 units, must be repeated until 3 units are achieved.

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (6-9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking 20 - 3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units)
B1 - Physical Science3
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5)1
B4 - Math Concepts3
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 33
Area C: Arts and Humanities (6-12 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities 20 - 3
C1/C2 - Area C Course3
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 40 - 3
Area D: The Individual and Society (6-9 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 40 - 3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units37-49
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Department offers students a "select from the following" option: 

3

Required in Major; also satisfies GE.

4

Department offers students a "select from the following" option: 

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6-9 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI) 20 - 3
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 36
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Department offers students a "select from the following" option: 

3

If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html 

The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.

Philosophy (Science, Reason, and Values), BA: 4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
PHIL 21 First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person 3
GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking (PHIL 4 recommended) 2 3
GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 3
GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units15
Second Semester
GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 3
GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning (PHIL 61 recommended) 2 3
GE Area 3B - Humanities (PHIL 2 recommended) 2 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 2
First Semester
PHIL 89 Philosophical Methods 2
ENGL 20 College Composition II 3
GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 3
GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 1
Elective of Choice 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
PHIL 60 Deductive Logic I 3
GE Area 3A - Arts 2 3
GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 3
First Semester
PHIL 112 History Of Ethics 3
PHIL 127 History of Ancient Philosophy 3
PHIL 128 History of Modern Philosophy 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units16
Second Semester
PHIL 105 Science and Human Values 3
PHIL 125 Philosophy Of Science 3
PHIL 156 Philosophy of the Social Sciences 3
PHIL Science, Reason, and Values Elective 3 3
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
 Units16
Year 4
First Semester
PHIL 180 Knowledge and Understanding 3
PHIL 183 Rationality 3
PHIL Science, Reason, and Values Elective 3 3
Elective of Choice 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
PHIL 181 Metaphysics 3
PHIL 182 Ethical Theory 3
PHIL 189 Senior Seminar in Philosophy 1
PHIL Science, Reason, and Values Elective 3 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units13
 Total Units120

Philosophy (Science, Reason, and Values), BA: 2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
PHIL 112 History Of Ethics 3
PHIL 127 History of Ancient Philosophy 3
PHIL 128 History of Modern Philosophy 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units16
Second Semester
PHIL 105 Science and Human Values 3
PHIL 125 Philosophy Of Science 3
PHIL 156 Philosophy of the Social Sciences 3
PHIL Science, Reason, and Values Elective 3 3
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
 Units16
Year 2
First Semester
PHIL 180 Knowledge and Understanding 3
PHIL 183 Rationality 3
PHIL Science, Reason, and Values Elective 3 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
PHIL 181 Metaphysics 3
PHIL 182 Ethical Theory 3
PHIL 189 Senior Seminar in Philosophy 1
PHIL Science, Reason, and Values Elective 3 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units13
 Total Units60
1.

Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.

2.

Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.

3.

Please see an academic advisor for elective options.