Philosophy

The Associate in Arts in Philosophy for Transfer degree is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer into the CSU system to complete a baccalaureate degree in Philosophy. Philosophy is the study of basic and fundamental issues, such as those concerning reality, knowledge, morality, and truth. Philosophers ask questions like: Do we have free will? What do I know? What is the nature of truth? How do I know I’m not a brain in a vat? Is there a universal morality? Does God exist? What distinguishes philosophy from other disciplines is its methodology. A philosopher’s methodology is systematic and relies heavily upon rational argument. The process demands rigorous, analytic, and critical thinking. The benefits of which include resolving confusion, unmasking assumptions, highlighting distinctions, and offering clarification. Courses in the Gavilan Philosophy Program are designed to transfer to four-year institutions and to prepare philosophy majors for upper-division coursework. Specifically, this degree is intended for students transferring to a California State University program. A degree in philosophy can lead to a career teaching and doing academic research in philosophy, but it also equips one with the writing, thinking, and problem-solving skills important for many careers, including the fields of law, business, politics, medicine and others.

Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements:

(1) Completion of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including the following:

(A) The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).

(B) A minimum of 18 semester units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.

(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Title 5 section 55063(a) also require that students must earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis, or a "P" if the course was taken on a 'pass-no-pass' basis.

Learning Outcome(s):

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the perennial questions, problems and theories in the major areas of philosophy (metaphysics, epistemology, value theory, logic), including the arguments and views of the figures in the history of philosophy who address them.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in philosophical writing, which includes presenting and supporting a philosophical thesis and articulating and responding to counterarguments in a way that is clear, concise, accurate, precise, thorough, coherent, and well-organized.
3. Demonstrate the virtues of a critical thinker, including being open-minded, unbiased, intellectually modest, truth-seeking, imaginative, appropriately skeptical, free-thinking, consistent, and empathetic.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the philosophical views of groups who are unrepresented, disenfranchised, undervalued, and nonwestern.