This recommended pathway meets the requirements of the AAS/DTA degree and prepares you for a university major in philosophy. But you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1 (12-17 credits)
PHIL& 101 Intro to philosophy (5 credits)
ENGL& 101 English composition I (5 credits)
Elective (5 credits)
or MATH 97, 98 or 99 Elementary or intermediate algebra (5 credits)
MATH 99 is required to take PHIL& 117 in Quarter 3.
If your math placement is higher than MATH 99, take a 100-level math course or another elective.
If you're not ready for MATH 99, start the math sequence that leads to it.
Optional:
EDPL 100 College success (2 credits)
This course is really helpful if you don't have much college experience. Take it with either two or three of the other courses (but don't postpone MATH 99 if you need it). If you choose a light first quarter, you may decide to take a course during the summer.
Career exploration:
- Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs that relate to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan in Starfish.
- Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
- Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.
Quarter 2 (13-15 credits)
PHIL 130 Intro to ethics (5 credits)
ENGL 201 Advanced composition (5 credits)
or ENGL 202 Writing about literature (5 credits)
or ENGL& 230 Technical writing (3 credits)
or ENGL& 235 Technical writing (5 credits)
If you choose the 3-credit version of technical writing, double-check that your total 100- and 200-level credits are going to add up to at least 90.
CMST&101 Intro to communication (5 credits)
or CMST& 220 Public speaking (5 credits)
or CMST& 230 Small group communication (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Compare the different philosophy majors and combined majors at universities you're interested in.
- Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.
Quarter 3 (15 credits)
PHIL& 117 Traditional logic (5 credits)
If you haven't completed MATH 99 yet, keep going with math instead. Talk with your advisor about adjusting your pathway.
BIOL& 100 Survey of biology (5 credits)
or another lab science (5 credits): a physical or biological science with "MS l" at the end of the course description
Social science (5 credits): a course with "SS" at the end of the course description
Career exploration:
- Ask your instructors about nearby conferences you might attend next year.
- Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action items:
- Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Summer
If you chose 12 credits in Quarter 1 or 13 credits in Quarter 2, this might be a good time to catch up.
Quarter 4 (15 credits)
PHIL 132 Environmental ethics (5 credits)
or PHIL 200 Philosophy of religion (5 credits)
or PHIL& 115 Critical thinking (5 credits)
Science (5 credits): a physical or biological science course with "MS" or "MS l" at the end of the course description
Social science (5 credits): a course with "SS" at the end of the course description
Career exploration:
- Listen to podcasts about philosophy or the kind of career you're aiming for.
Action items:
- Meet with the Learning Contracts coordinator about independent study with a faculty mentor. You can take a WCC course that's not in the schedule or design a course around your own topic.
- Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
- Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5 (15 credits)
PHIL 132 Environmental ethics (5 credits)
or PHIL 200 Philosophy of religion (5 credits)
or PHIL& 115 Critical thinking (5 credits)
or a Learning Contract (5 credits): an independent study with a faculty mentor
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description, but not a PHIL course
Social science (5 credits): a course with "SS" at the end of the course description
Action items:
Quarter 6 (15 credits)
PHIL 132 Environmental ethics (5 credits)
or PHIL 200 Philosophy of religion (5 credits)
or PHIL& 115 Critical thinking (5 credits)
or a Learning Contract (5 credits): an independent study with a faculty mentor
Science/Math (5 credits): a course with "MS" or "MS l" at the end of the course description. It can be a science, an additional 100-level math course, or a programming course.
Elective (5 credits)
Action items:
- Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
Social sciences or electives
- ANTH& 100 Survey of anthropology
- CJ& 101 Intro to criminal justice
- HIST& 126 World civilizations I
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender (spring)
- IDS 170 Intro to sustainability
- IDS 210 Science, economics and politics of sustainable resources (winter)
- POLS& 201 Intro to political theory
- POLS& 202 American government
- PSYC& 100 General psychology
- SOC& 101 Intro to sociology
Science/math or electives
- ANTH& 205 Biological anthropology
- ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology with lab
- ASTR& 100 Survey of astronomy
- ENVS& 100 Survey of environmental science
- ENVS& 101 Intro to environmental science (with lab)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender (spring)
- IDS 210 Science, economics and politics of sustainable resources (winter)
- PHYS& 110 Physics for non-science majors (with lab)
- PHYS& 114 General physics (requires MATH& 142)