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Identify, clarify, and assess the fundamental assumptions and concepts of our thinking and learn to assess arguments, using the procedures and standards of deductive and inductive Logic.
Courses in the philosophy program begin with conceptual analysis and the assessment of arguments. Students will be introduced to fundamental issues concerning existence, knowledge, ethics, and the history of ideas, from Ancient Greece to the present.
Program Length
Two Years
Transfer Options
This program will prepare students to continue studying in the humanities and social sciences by developing critical thinking, reading, and writing skills, especially conceptual analysis and the assessment of arguments about difficult philosophical problems. Philosophy, as taught at IVC, is critical-thinking-based.
Program Specific Support
Students may utilize the Student Success Center for tutoring and enroll in WR385: Writing Conference, a course specifically designed to assist students with reading and writing in humanities courses.
Transfer, Degrees and/or Certificates
Sample Academic Plans
Semester 1
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH 10* | Statistics Course | 2A | 3 |
| PHIL 3 | Introduction to Logic | Major | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies | Ethnic Studies GE Course | 7 | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 2 | College Writing 2 - Critical Thinking | 1B | 4 |
| PHIL 2 | Introduction to Ethics | 3B & Major | 3 |
| Arts | Arts GE Course | 3A | 3 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundalmentals | 1C | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL 10 | Ancient Philosophy (Fall Only) | 3B & Major | 3 |
| Physical Science | Physical Science GE Course | 5A | 3 |
| Physical Science Lab | Science Lab GE Course | 5C | 1 |
| Social and Behavior Sciences** | Social and Behavior Sciences GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL 5 | Political Philosophy | 3 | |
| PHIL 11 | Modern Philosophy (Spring Only) | 3B & Major | 3 |
| Social and Behavior Sciences** | Social and Behavior Sciences GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Biological Science | Biological Science GE Course | 5B | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 3 |
- Students can take Math 10 or other math course that meets the UC transfer math requirement in IGETC GE Area 2A.
- Students are required to take courses from two different categories in IGETC GE Area 4. Please refer to the IGETC GE Pattern for details.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | A2 | 4 |
| MATH 10* | Introduction to Statistics | B4 | 3 |
| PHIL 1 or PHIL 2 | Intro to Philosophy or Intro to Ethics | C2 & Major | 3 |
| Learning & Self Dev | Lifelong Learning and Self Development GE Course | E | 1-3 |
| Transfer Elective | CSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199) | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | A1 | 3 |
| PHIL 3 | Introduction to Logic | A3 | 3 |
| Arts | Arts GE Course | C1 | 3 |
| HIST 11 | The West And The World Since The Renaissance (Spring Only) | C2 & Major | 3 |
| HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | D | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL 10 | Ancient Philosophy (Fall Only) | C2 & Major | 3 |
| HIST 10 | Western Civilization (Fall Only) | C2 & Major | 3 |
| Life Science | Life Science GE Course | B2 | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies | Ethnic Studies GE Course | F | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | CSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199) | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL 11 | Modern Philosophy (Spring Only) | C2 & Major | 3 |
| PHIL 5 or Elective | Political Phiolsophy or Elective | C2 & Major or Elective | 3 |
| PS 1 | American Government | D | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | C1 or C2 | 3 |
| Physical Science | Physical Science GE Course | B1 | 3 |
| Physical Science LAB | Physical Science Lab | B3 | 1 |
- Students can take Math 10 or any other math course that meets the CSU math transfer requirement in CSU GE Area B4.
Semester 1
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH | Math GE Course | 2 | 3-5 |
| PHIL 1 or PHIL 1 | Introduction to Philosophy | 6 & Major | 3 |
| Lifelong Health* | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 9 | 1 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 2 | College Writing 2 | 1C & Major | 4 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | 1B | 3 |
| PHIL 3 | Introduction to Logic | Major | 3 |
| Fine Arts | Fine Arts and Languages GE Course | 7 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL 10 | Ancient Philosophy (Fall Only) | Major | 3 |
| PHIL 2 or PHIL 5 | Ethics or Political Philosophy | Major | 3 |
| American Institutions | American Institutions GE Course | 8 | 3 |
| Lifelong Health* | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 9 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL 11 | Modern Philosophy (Spring Only) | Major | 3 |
| Social Sciences | Social Sciences GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | Natural Sciences GE Course | 3 | 3 |
| Cultural Diversity | Cultural Diversity GE Course | 5 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
- Take one course from two different categories among GE areas 9A, 9B, and 9C. Please refer to the AA GE pattern for details.
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
AA = Associate of Arts | AS = Associate of Science | AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer | AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer | COA = Certificate of Achievement | COC = Certificate of Completion | COP = Certificate of Proficiency | = Fast Track Career Path
Not sure if Philosophy is the right fit?
Exploratory Interest Area
Explore Philosophy while still working toward your academic goals.
Talk with a Counselor
Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
Why choose IVC?