» Recommended Classes for First-Year Philosophy Majors

Here are the classes that we recommend you take during your first year as a Philosophy major at Chapman. 

For your first semester, we recommend taking 12-15 credits (most classes are 3 credits; those with labs are 4). You must be enrolled in 12 credits to be considered a full-time status student. The recommended courses below will put you at 15 credits per semester (fall and spring). 

Introductory Math Requirement

As an incoming first-year student, you must take a math assessment. If you place into Math 100 (Learning and Studying Mathematics for Understanding), then you must enroll in this course in your first year (fall or spring semester). For more information, visit our Math Assessment webpage

General Education Classes

You can choose a General Education (GE) class from any GE category – it’s your choice. In general, the following GE areas are recommended to begin/complete during your first year:

GE Language Study (strongly recommended)
GE Quantitative Inquiry 

Note: Some GE courses may “double count” with your major or minor. Students can share up to 9 credits between major and GE requirements and can share up to 6 credits between minor and GE requirements. Visit the General Education Program site to review the GE policies and see a list of approved courses for each GE area.

You can learn more about general education on our General Education: How it Works page.


Fall Semester

Philosophy majors are part of the Block Scheduling program for first-year students in the Fall 2023 semester. You will be pre-registered by the department in two major courses in May/June. You can then build the rest of your schedule around these required major courses.

FFC 100B - Grand Challenges (Block Scheduled)
Credits: 3

Note: All first-year students at Chapman have to take First Year Foundations. The class will introduce you to college and there is a different topic for every major. As a philosophy major, you must take an FFC 100B option from the Schmid and Fowler Colleges’ Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering category. You will be pre-registered into this class along with your other major courses.

PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy (Block Scheduled)
Credits: 3

GE class or exploration focus class
Credits: 3

GE class or exploration focus class
Credits: 3

GE class or exploration focus class
Credits: 3


Spring Semester

 

PHIL 104 - Introduction to Ethics
Credits: 3

GE class or exploration focus class
Credits: 3

GE class or exploration focus class
Credits: 3

GE class or exploration focus class
Credits: 3

GE class or exploration focus class
Credits: 3