UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
- Social and Political Philosophy
- Philosophy of Mind
- History of Philosophy
Undergraduate Study
The Department offers a wide variety of courses specially developed for students in business, health sciences, education, and policy studies as well as for those who are pursuing careers in science or the humanities. Philosophy provides invaluable reasoning skills, insight into methodological presuppositions, and an appreciation of the intellectual currents that have shaped history. It also promotes student’s abilities to read challenging texts and to write effectively, skills in high demand for many careers.
The department also offers a series of courses in applied ethics, which provides students useful skills for their careers and their lives. Courses in this area include Introduction to Ethics, Sex and Love, Race and Racism, Biomedical Ethics, Philosophy of Law, Business Ethics, and our signature experience course in which students prepare to compete in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl.
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
The Department of Philosophy offers a B.A. in Philosophy as well as a minor in Philosophy and a minor in Law and Ethics.
B.A. in Philosophy, Pre-Law Concentration
The study of philosophy is excellent preparation for law school and a career in law. The critical thinking skills, clarity in writing and argumentative rigor required in philosophy provide students with the tools they need to be successful in law school and as lawyers. Moreover, philosophy majors have among the highest average scores on the LSAT and the highest admission rates to law school of any major. The Department of Philosophy includes seven nationally recognized scholars in legal and political philosophy.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics, B.I.S.
The Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) program helps students become familiar with and capable of contributing to ongoing debates about the nature of good political and economic institutions, as well as the policies and practices that are best suited for creating and sustaining them.
Minors
Minor in Law and Ethics
A study of the philosophy of the law can deepen our understanding of the proper foundations, limits, and applications of legal authority. Legal theorists often consider the meaning of legal doctrine but philosophers of law help to frame the ethical considerations that guide and constrain the law. The minor in law and ethics gives students the skills and knowledge needed for a critical assessment of law, especially in light of the principles of ethics and social values.
The minor also improves argumentative, writing, and logical skills invaluable for law school and many other careers in legal fields. The minor in law and ethics is designed to be a complement to any major. Students with majors in the humanities or social sciences planning a career in law, public service, advocacy, or policy are particularly encouraged to consider the minor in law and ethics.
Minor in Philosophy
A minor in philosophy is an excellent complement to any major and will improve students’ abilities to think critically and creatively and write clearly and persuasively. It is particularly appropriate for those contemplating a career in law, business, sciences, public service, politics, or education.
Students who wish to minor in philosophy take at least 15 hours in courses in philosophy. We encourage you to begin with Phil 2010 Introduction to Philosophy or Phil 2030 Introduction to Ethics and continue with Phil 3000 Philosophical Discussions. For more information, contact Eddy Nahmias at [email protected].
Undergraduate Courses FAQs
Click on the title of the class and read the course description. Make sure you have satisfied the prerequisite requirements for the course you are trying to register for. If you have not satisfied the prerequisite requirement, consider registering for the pre-req course(s) instead. If you have satisfied the pre-reqs, but still receive the error, email the Undergraduate Director to ask for registration assistance. Include your panther id number, the CRN that you want to register for, course number, and the semester that you are trying to register for.
Usually, the XL capacity seats have been designated to another population of students in a cross-listed course in another program or department and are not available to anyone who asks. Check the other sections for space. The Philosophy department checks the capacity in the courses with available XL seats and may release those seats to the sections in demand, if possible.
The Philosophy department does not maintain waitlists for closed courses. However, you can add yourself to the waitlist for a full course through your PAWS account. Please refer to the registration assistance website for further instructions on the waitlist.
Please continue to watch PAWS to see if a seat becomes available in the course you wish to take. If you are trying to take a course required for you to graduate in the next semester, email the instructor.
Course offerings change every semester. For the most up-to-date information, check the course schedule on PAWS.
A collection of previously offered courses can be found here.
Course offerings change every semester.
For the most up-to-date information, check the course schedule on PAWS.
A collection of previously offered courses can be found here.
Welcome! Please start with Phil 2010 (Introduction to Philosophy) or Phil 2030 (Introduction to Ethics). The second step is Phil 3000 (Philosophical Discussions). After Phil 3000, take either Phil 3010(Origins of Western Philosophy or Phil 3020 (Rise of Modern Philosophy). For further guidance and a detailed list of requirements, see here (link to handbook).
It is wise to develop a good relationship with your academic advisor. For students with 0-89 credit hours, please contact the University Advisement Center at 404-413-2300 or 404-413-2360, or in person at 25 Park Place (4th and 5th floor). For students with 90+ credit hours, please visit the Office of Academic Assistance at 404-413-5000, or in person at 25 Park Place (suite 300).
New majors are also strongly encouraged to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Eddy Nahmias ([email protected].)
Also check out our Philosophy Majors' Guide.
Undergraduate Advisement FAQs
The qualifications for distinction are the following: a grade of B (or higher) in Phil 2500, an overall G.P.A of 3.5 or higher, and a G.P.A. in the major of 3.5 or higher. Note: Phil 2500 is not required for the major. It is only required for graduating with distinction.
Requirements for the major can be found here: REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR
To discuss additional questions about your path to graduation, contact your academic advisor, or contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Eddy Nahmias ([email protected])
Philosophy offers a three-course credit for appropriate off-campus internships. Internships must be planned and arranged in advance. For details, see here: https://philosophy.gsu.edu/internships/
Please complete this form:
https://cas.gsu.edu/undergraduate-course-petition/
Then send the form with a brief email to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Eddy Nahmias ([email protected])
Visit the Advisement Center and ask to speak with a transition advisor. New majors are also strongly encouraged to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Eddy Nahmias ([email protected]).
Students who wish to minor in philosophy must take at least 15 hours in courses in philosophy, including at least 9 semester hours at the 3000 level or above. The specific course requirements for this minor can be found in the catalog.
Students who wish to minor in philosophy must take at least 15 hours in courses in philosophy, including at least 9 semester hours at the 3000 level or above. For more information see the catalog.
The philosophy major is excellent preparation for law school. Students who want to focus their studies on law should consider the Philosophy major with a pre-Law concentration. To discuss whether pre-Law is right for you, please contact the Pre-Law Advisor, Dr. S.M. Love ([email protected]).
For more information, please visit the catalog.
The Director of Graduate Studies is Dr. Tim O’Keefe. You can contact him at [email protected] or 404-413-6108.
Through PAWS, students can access their “Student Records” tab which opens a menu of options. Select “View Holds” and follow the prompts for how to resolve the hold. If no details are provided, contact the Registrar's office.
The Director of Undergraduate Studies in Philosophy is Dr. Eddy Nahmias. You can contact him at [email protected] or 404-412-6109.
Contact Us
The Department of Philosophy
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Department Chair
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Director of Graduate Studies
Department Specialist
Department Specialist, Staff Liaison to JBB Center for Ethics
Office/Delivery Address
Department of Philosophy
Georgia State University
25 Park Place, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30303
USPS Mailing Address
Department of Philosophy
Georgia State University
PO Box 3994
Atlanta, GA 30302-3984