Philosophy
HumanitiesIdentify, 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.
View Transfer Options, Degrees & CertificatesCourses 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.
Your Support Team
Your success is our priority! Whether you are just starting, in the middle of, or completing your time at IVC, we have a team of people in your corner to help keep you on-track to reach your goals at IVC and beyond!
Coming Soon: Completion Teams to get students from start to goal! Look for your team beginning fall 2021!
Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates
Sample Academic Plans
- This is only a sample academic plan. Some UC majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
| 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 |
| Social and Behavior Sciences* | Social and Behavior Sciences GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 3 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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.
- Note: This sample academic plan does not account for the Language Other than English requirement necessary to meet Full IGETC Certification.
- This is only a sample academic plan. Some CSU majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Social Science | Social Science GE Course | D | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | CSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199) | 3 |
| 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.
- This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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
- COP = Certificate of Proficiency
Explore Careers Related to Philosophy
Not sure if Philosophy is the right fit?
That's OK!
Begin with the Exploratory Interest Area and explore Philosophy while still working toward your academic goals.
Or speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
