Department Co-Chair: Thomas Bowen, 847.376.7084, tbowen@oakton.edu
Department Co-Chair: Mohamed Mehdi, 847.376.7287 or mmehdi@oakton.edu
The Philosophy Pre-major offers a suitable pathway to four year programs in Philosophy as well as a range of other humanities and social science programs. An undergraduate degree in philosophy is a good basis for many future graduate programs, as well as programs in law. The study of philosophy emphasizes the development of skills in analytical thinking, problem solving, ethical and political deliberation and advanced reading and writing. It therefore offers excellent preparation for a range of career options. Philosophy Pre-majors should consider combining this Pre-major with an Academic Concentration. Peace and Social Justice Studies, Global Studies, Great Books, Women’s and Gender Studies and Environmental Studies are concentrations that could easily be combined with a Philosophy Pre-major.
The Pre-major is designed for students who have not decided upon a specific four-year college or university. Once a transfer school is selected, students are strongly encouraged to consult the Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success and the transfer institution’s catalog to select courses that will meet both Oakton and transfer institution requirements. Part time students should also consult the Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success for part-time Pre-major recommendations.
The recommended sequence of courses can be altered based on the interests of students and scheduling needs. Students should consult with a Co-Chair of the Philosophy Department about alternative course selections and sequencing. General Education courses should be selected from the list of IAI General Education Courses.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One | Hours | |
| HUM 127 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| EGL 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| PHL 105 or PHL 106 | Logic or Ethics | 3 |
| MAT 125 or MAT 131 | General Education Mathematics or Elementary Statistics | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology 1 | ||
| World Regional Geography 1 | ||
| Cultural Geography 1 | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology 2 | ||
| Social Problems 3 | ||
| Introduction to Global Studies 1 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| PHL 230 | Ancient and Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
| EGL 102 | Composition II | 3 |
| SPE 103 | Effective Speech | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Note: At least one science course with lab is required for degree completion | ||
| Introduction to Life Science (lab) | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science (lab) 1 | ||
| Plants and Society 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of Contemporary Non-Western Civilizations 1 | ||
| History of South Asia I 1 | ||
| History of South Asia II 1 | ||
| History of Modern China 1 | ||
| History of the Islamic Middle East from the 7th Century to 1918 1 | ||
| History of the Islamic Middle East in Modern Times 1 | ||
| History of Modern Latin America 1 | ||
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester One | ||
| PHL 231 | Modern and Contemporary Philosophy | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies 2 | ||
| Introduction to LGBTQ Studies 2 | ||
| World Religions 1 | ||
| Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Foundational Religious Texts | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Western Culture and the Arts: Beginnings through the Middle Ages | ||
| Western Culture and the Arts: Renaissance through the 20th Century | ||
| Contemporary Culture and the Arts | ||
| Asian Humanities 1 | ||
Modern Language course (2021 or higher) 4 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Art | ||
| Introduction to Theater | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Global Cinema 1 | ||
| Introduction to World Music 1 | ||
| World Mythologies 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Sociology of Sex and Gender 2 | ||
| Sociology of Race and Ethnicity 2 | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies 2 | ||
| Comparative Government 1 | ||
| International Relations 1 | ||
| Human Development | ||
| Social Psychology 2 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| PHL 215 | Asian Philosophy 1 | 3 |
| PHL 204 or PHL 290 | Environmental Ethics or Topics in Philosophy | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Multicultural Literature in the U.S. 2 | ||
| African-American Culture and the Arts 2 | ||
| Religious Diversity in America 2 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
Note: At least one science course with lab is required for degree completion | ||
| Introduction to Earth Science (lab) | ||
| Introduction to Weather and Climate | ||
| Physical Geography | ||
| A Survey of Oceanography | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Poetry | ||
| Introduction to Literature | ||
| Introduction to Global Literature 1 | ||
PHL (Philosophy) course not taken previously | ||
HUM (Humanities) course not taken previously | ||
Modern Language course (2021 or higher) 4 | ||
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Total Hours | 61-63 | |
- 1
Course fulfills the Global Studies requirement. At least one Global Studies course is required for degree completion.
- 2
Course fulfills the U.S. Diversity Studies requirement. At least one U.S. Diversity Studies course is required for degree completion.
- 3
Course fulfills both, the Global Studies and U.S. Diversity Studies requirements.
- 4
Transfer institutions may have a language requirement, and that only the 202 level language courses meet Humanities and Global Studies requirements.
Note: Pre-major is a recommended sequence and selection of courses. For degree requirements see Associate in Arts (A.A.).