2024-2025 Course Catalog

Philosophy Associate of Arts Emphasis (AA)

60 Credits

The Associate of Arts Degree with Emphasis in Philosophy provides students with the opportunity to reflect on the most fundamental questions that concern human beings. Through careful study of major figures and traditions within philosophy, courses in this program will help students develop skills for reasoning and critical analysis, and encourage imagination, intellectual curiosity and rigor, personal reflection, and civic engagement.

Since the study of philosophy cultivates intellectual curiosity and imagination, and draws upon all areas of human endeavor, students who complete the emphasis will be prepared to transfer to a four-year institution in pursuit of many different majors. Philosophy majors are prepared for a wide variety of careers, including law, journalism, business, technology, and government and politics. Philosophy courses satisfy 6 of the 10 goals in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.

Required Courses

Incorporate the following Required Courses into the General Education/Minnesota Transfer Curriculum or Additional Course Requirements sections below.

Complete two of the following three courses:

PHIL 1101Introduction to Philosophy

3 cr

PHIL 1102Logic

3 cr

PHIL 1103Ethics

3 cr

Complete one of the following five courses:

PHIL 1140Environmental Ethics

3 cr

PHIL 1150Introduction to World Religions

3 cr

PHIL 1160Philosophy of Art

3 cr

PHIL 1170Business Ethics

3 cr

PHIL 1180Biomedical Ethics

3 cr

General Education/Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) – 40 credits

*See MnTC Curriculum for specific course options

Goal 1: Communication – 2 Courses

ENGC 1101College Writing

4 cr

COMM 1100Introduction to Communication

3 cr

Or

COMM 1101Fundamentals of Public Speaking

3 cr

Or

COMM 1111Interpersonal Communication

3 cr

Or

COMM 1121Small Group Communication

3 cr

Goal 2: Critical Thinking

(Met by completion of all 40 credits of the MnTC)

Goal 3: Natural Sciences – 2 Courses

(Select from two different departments; at least one must include a lab)

Course #1 _______________

Course #2 _______________

Goal 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning – 1 Course

Course __________________

(can be met by taking PHIL 1102)

Goal 5: History and Social/Behavioral Sciences – 2 Courses

(Select from Two Different Departments)

Course #1 _______________

Course #2 _______________

Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Arts 2 Courses

(Select from two different departments)

Course #1 - met by taking required PHIL courses

Course #2 _______________

Goal 7: Human Diversity – 1 Course

Course __________________

Goal 8: Global Perspective – 1 Course

Course __________________

(can be met by taking PHIL 1150)

Goal 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility – 1 Course

Course __________________

(can be met by taking PHIL 1103 or PHIL 1140 or PHIL 1170 or PHIL 1180)

Goal 10: People and The Environment – 1 Course

Course __________________

(can be met by taking PHIL 1140)

Additional Course Requirements – 20 Credits

One Health (HLTH) course.

One Exercise Science (EXSC) course.

Elective credits – additional course(s) numbered 1000 and above, if needed to complete the 60-credit requirement.

Other Degree Requirements

  • Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for college-level coursework (courses numbered 1000 and above) completed at Normandale.
  • Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in the MnTC.
  • Earn a minimum of 15 college-level credits at Normandale.