For students who entered fall 2011 to spring 2015.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

A Philosophy major with a Communications & Critical Thinking Option consists of 30-45 credits. The department does not specify course work for the major, but recommends that the sequence of courses be designed in close consultation with the student's faculty advisor. A minor is strongly recommended, but not required. 

Note: At least 36 credits are recommended in order to be eligible for graduate school.

Refer to the General Education website for General Education requirements. 

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Required Courses

Introductory Level Courses

Choose two from the following:

• PHIL.2010 Introduction to Philosophy
• PHIL.2020 Introduction to Logic and Critical Reasoning
• PHIL.2030 Introduction to Ethics
• PHIL.2060 Introduction to Political Philosophy

Upper Level Classes

Students must take a minimum of five upper level philosophy classes (classes at the 3000 or 4000 level).

Interdisciplinary Electives

Students must take three interdisciplinary classes in subjects relevant to the Communications program. Since the availability of these classes is subject to change, there is no comprehensive list of classes that satisfy this requirement. The following is a sample list of the types of classes that would count as interdisciplinary electives. Students should consult with their advisor if they have questions about whether a particular class would count.

• ENGL.2210 Writing for Interactive Media
• ENGL.2220 Oral Communication
• ENGL.2240 Business Communication
• ENGL.2270 / ENGL.2290 Essay Writing
• ENGL.3000 Intro to Journalism
• ENGL.3010 News writing
• ENGL.3090 Writing About Issues Human Community
• ENGL.3860 The Science of Editing
• ENGL.3870 Introduction to Editing and Publishing
• ENGL.3910 Writing on the Job
• ENGL.4060 Writing in the Community
• POLI.2100 Media and Politics
• POLI.2220 Politics of the Internet
• POLI.3160 Politics and Film
• FAHS.2160 Intro to Communications
• FAHS.2170 Media, Perception, & Culture
• FAHS.2180 Information Technology and Human Community
• FAHS.2190 Introduction to Theater
• FAHS.3160 Uses of Multimedia

Practicum

Students will ordinarily take a three-credit practicum consisting of a volunteer internship at a professional site relevant to their course of study. The practicum should be a minimum of 60 hours over the course of a semester. At the end of the practicum, students will write an eight-page essay describing their experience and its contribution to their course of study. Students may also opt out of the practicum and take an extra philosophy class or a focused directed study leading to a 25 page thesis paper on a topic they want to explore in depth.

Last updated: 10/26/2017