Philosophy majors and Philosophy Pre-Law typically take the following courses in the fall semester of their first year:
First-Year Experience Learning Community Courses
We will register you in these courses.
- Philosophy (PHIL 201)
- English Composition (ENG 101) OR Theology (TRS 201)
Why am I taking these classes? Honors students take equivalent honors courses.
Major and Elective Courses
You will need to choose and register for these courses.
- A foreign language (see below)
- Probability and Statistics (MATH 114), Mathematics in the Modern World (MATH 168), Introduction to Mathematical Thought (MATH 187), or another course of your choosing
- A liberal arts foundations course; a course toward a minor, certificate, or other focus area; or a free elective
Language placement
Your major requires you to complete the study of a foreign language through the intermediate level. Catholic University teaches the following languages that satisfy this requirement: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. If you are interested in learning a language not listed here, consult with your advisor.
If you have previously studied a foreign language and are interested in continuing with that same language, or if you can demonstrate fluency in a foreign language, you should complete the language placement exam.
About Your First Semester Courses
If you are a philosophy major or a philosophy pre-law major, besides your two Learning Community classes, you will register for 3 more courses. We recommend the following courses to complement the study of philosophy.
Third Course
Proficiency in a foreign language is an essential component of liberal arts studies. It will also prove in time to be very useful. It is up to you what foreign language (or languages) you will study at CUA. If you studied a foreign language in high school, and wish to continue with it, it makes sense to keep at it this coming year. Taking a break may set you back. It also makes good sense to continue your study of that language in your freshman year, or begin the study of another language, in view of the possibility of doing a semester abroad in your junior year. Yet another reason that we urge you to take a language course this fall is to increase your prospects of attaining not merely proficiency but fluency in a foreign language.
Note, in addition, that majors enrolled in the School of Philosophy are offered the possibility of either a “Natural Science” or a “Language” specialization. Students who elect to do the “Natural Science” specialization must eventually complete four courses in the natural sciences. Students who elect the “Language” specialization will take two courses in an ancient or a modern language at the intermediate level (as above), and two additional courses in another language (specifically, an ancient language if your first foreign language is modern, or a modern language if the first language is ancient).
Fourth Course
Philosophy majors must complete courses in mathematics, which has always been considered an integral to a liberal education. It is not absolutely mandatory that you complete your math course during your first semester here, but it might be advantageous to take a math course while it is still fresh in your head from high school
Freshmen philosophy majors who enjoy math, and have done reasonably well at it, should consider taking calculus, especially if they also think they might like to pursue further study in one or more of the natural sciences. In order to register for a calculus course you must first take the online math placement test to determine what level calculus course would best suit you.
Fifth Course
Your fifth course offers you a chance to begin pursuing other academic interests that you have. Perhaps this course will prove to be the first in a minor concentration (6 courses) in some discipline other than philosophy.
To learn more about the Philosophy and Philosophy/Prelaw majors, consult the School of Philosophy’s website.
Know which courses you want? Get registered.