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Philosophy Minor

School of Arts and Sciences

Overview

Philosophy explores logical explanations of reality, knowledge and morality. This minor will provide you with a basic understanding of the history of Western philosophy, complementing majors in religion, literature, the arts, history and science.

Program Highlights

  • The philosophy minor introduces you to logic, critical thinking and philosophical ethics.
  • Texts from both ancient and modern philosophers are explored, and optional courses discuss theology and ethics, the philosophy of history and religion and the history of political theory, among other topics.

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Catalog

Program Director: Nathan P. Carson, Ph.D.

Overview

The minor provides students with a basic understanding of a portion of the history of Western philosophy and with the basic skills of logical argumentation. It complements majors in religion, literature, the arts, history, political science and natural sciences. The minor is often chosen as a value-added supplement to a student's career major.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Recognize, categorize and critically evaluate contemporary philosophers and philosophical schools of thought.
  2. Understand significant portions of the history of philosophy and of the way Christian intellectual traditions have both enriched and been enriched by that history of inquiry.
  3. Engage and articulate live contemporary philosophical problems and describe the ways philosophers have grappled with fundamental questions about reality, knowledge, ethics, aesthetics and the human condition (among others).
  4. Communicate with precise philosophical argumentation, reason-informed critical reflection and clear argumentative prose, and recognize as well as critically evaluate the validity and truth of philosophical arguments as they encounter them.
  5. Understand how philosophy is foundational to, relates to or augments other fields of thought.
  6. Understand and clarify the relationship between faith and reason, including the various ways this relation can be construed.
  7. See their analysis of philosophical arguments, thinkers and texts as central to their own (and others') intellectual, emotional, moral and Christian spiritual formation.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Required Courses (15 units)

Select a minimum of 9 units from the following:

  • PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits 3
  • PHIL 103 - Critical Thinking Credits 3
  • PHIL 110 - Introduction to Philosophical Ethics Credits 3
  • PHIL 200 - Introduction to Logic Credits 3
  • PHIL 331 - Ancient Philosophy Credits 3
  • PHIL 335 - Modern Philosophy Credits 3
  • PHIL 370 - Bioethics Credits 3 or聽BIOL 370 - Bioethics 聽Credits 3
  • PHIL 393 - Twentieth Century Western Thought Credits 3
  • PHIL 405 - Philosophy of Religion Credits 3
  • PHIL 430 - American Wilderness Literature and Philosophy Credits 3
  • PHIL 455 - Philosophy of Language Credits 3
  • PHIL 470 - History and Philosophy of Science Credits 4
  • PHIL 486 - Topics in Philosophy Credits 3
  • *multiple topics course can be taken, so long as they are distinct topics

Elective Courses

Select a maximum of 6聽units from聽the following affiliate courses:

  • BUS 365 - Business Ethics Credits 3
  • COM 368 - Ancient and Medieval Rhetoric Credits 3
  • COM 480 - Narrative Credits 3
  • LIT 426 - C.S. Lewis Credits 3
  • LIT 460 - Critical Approaches to Literature Credits 3
  • THEO 300 - Introduction to Theology and Ethics Credits 3
  • THEO 425 - Theological Ethics and the Environment Credits 3
  • THEO 430 - Contemporary Theologies Credits 3
  • THEO 465 - Theological Ethics of Conflict and Peacemaking Credits 3

Possibilities Await
With an 性视界 Education

Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Send official copies of your transcripts to 性视界.
  • Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
  • 4 years of college preparatory English
  • 3 years of college preparatory mathematics
  • 2 years of social studies
  • 1 year of laboratory science
  • 1 year of performing art
  • 3 years of the same foreign language with a C- or better
Things to Keep in Mind

性视界鈥檚 accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.

All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:

Office of 性视界 Admission
性视界
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702
ugadmis@fresno.edu

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-application

For those students who have applied to 性视界鈥檚 traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:

  1. Fill out the re-application form
  2. Submit any missing documents or updated transcripts
Steps for Re-admission

Former 性视界 students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to 性视界:

  1. Fill out the re-admission form
  2. Submit official transcripts from other educational institutions attended during absence from 性视界
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission

Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from 性视界. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating Non Matriculating/Non-Degree status non-matriculation application
  2. Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent
  3. Some classes may require a pre-requisite course. If required, a college transcript will need to be provided
  4. Personal essays are not required
Auditing a class

Students wishing to audit a class at 性视界 may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating audit status
  2. Personal essays are not required

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Four-year graduation guarantee graphic

Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. 性视界 guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.

Incoming requirements

This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.

  • Where options between courses are available, students are not guaranteed their first choice.
  • This guarantee does not apply to 鈥渇ifth-year鈥 programs (teacher education credential requirements) or minimum units beyond graduation requirements (CPA qualifications, etc.) beyond the basic four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree.
  • The guarantee does not apply to transfer students or to 性视界's degree completion programs.
  • Students not able to register for the courses needed within four years must complete the free course(s) within two terms of the end of four years (e.g. a summer and fall for those completing four years in the spring; or spring and summer for those completing four years in the fall).
  • The four-year period may be extended for students required to leave the university for up to one year (see the Leave of Absence section) for medical, military or personal reasons.
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Meet with your mentor during the fall semester of the freshman year.
  • Finalize a major and begin prerequisite or lower-division major courses by the second semester of the freshman year and keep that major until graduation.
  • Complete at least 32 units per year (average 16 per semester) with passing grades in each course.
  • Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and remain in good standing behaviorally with the university.
  • Meet with the mentor each semester for advising before registration opens and take the courses approved by the adviser/mentor that complete general-education and major requirements, in the appropriate sequence and as they become available.
  • Register within the first week of registration every semester to gain a spot in the classes needed.
  • Notify mentor if unable to register for an approved course so that an alternative plan can be made.
  • Apply for financial aid and submit required documents by appropriate deadlines.
  • Keep student account up-to-date. (Accounts not up-to-date may be placed on hold, preventing registration for courses.)
  • Complete required courses successfully (see Academic Policies section for minimum acceptable grades) without dropping required or approved courses during a semester.

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

2023-2024
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $34,960
Student body fee $598
Total Tuition and Fees $35,548
Room $5,018
Board $5,130
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $45,696
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,248
Summer Session $500
Private Music Instruction $400
2022-2023
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $33,614
Student body fee $574
Total Tuition and Fees $34,188
Room and Board $8,884
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $43,072
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,218
Summer Session $400
Private Music Instruction $400
2021-2022
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $32,954
Student body fee $498
Total Tuition and Fees $33,452
Room and Board $8,710
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $42,162
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,177
Summer Session $300
Private Music Instruction $400

Room & Board Rates

Freshman / Sophomore Housing

Module*FallSpring
Modules$4,313$4,313
Jost Modules$4,619$4,619 

* Full Access Meal Plan Included in Cost (Full Access Required)

Junior / Senior Housing

Suites & HousesFallSpring
Room only$2,068$2,068
Room-70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$2,719$2,719
Room - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,276$3,276
Room - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,400$4,400
Jost Hall (4 person), Willow Gardens (4 person) & Kriegbaum Apartments (3 person)FallSpring
Apartment - Room only$2,694$2,694
Apartment - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,345$3,345
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,902$3,902
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,026$5,026
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall  Apartments: 3 PersonFallSpring
Apartments - Room only$3,306$3,306
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,958$3,958
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,514$4,514
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,639$5,639
Stand-Alone Meal PlansFallSpring
70 Block$651$651
140 Block$1,208$1,208
Full Access Meal Plan$2,332$2,332

* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.

Notes about housing

  • For housing placement purposes only, class standing for the fall semester will carry throughout the entire year (both fall and spring semesters).
  • Residents living in the houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
  • Meal plan contract dates will follow the traditional semester.

If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.

Financial Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Based on a student鈥檚 academic GPA. Academic GPA鈥檚 are calculated by 性视界 on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.

NameGPAAmount
Paragon Full Tuition
President's4.00 GPA and above$18,000
Dean's3.75-3.99 GPA$15,000
Heritage3.50-3.75 GPA$14,000
Faculty3.25-3.49 GPA$12,000
Founder'sBelow a 3.0 GPA$8,000

Transfer Scholarships 

To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA鈥檚 are based on transferable units and calculated by 性视界.

NameGPAAmount
Transfer Scholar3.50 GPA and above$14,000
Transfer Achievement3.0-3.49 GPA$10,000
Transfer Academic2.40-2.99 GPA$7,500
Transfer PartnershipBelow a 2.4 GPA$6,000

Performance-based Scholarships

NameAmount
Athletic$500 to Full Tuition
Music$400 to $10,000
Theatre Arts$500 to $4,000
Art/Design$500 to $4,000

Other 性视界 Grants and Scholarships

NameAmount
性视界 Possibilities ScholarshipFull Tuition
Church Match$500 to $1,500
International Scholarshipup to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award$4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship$4,000
Other Awards$100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

NameAmount
Cal Grant A$9,358
Cal Grant B$1,648
Pell Grants$750 to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant$1,000

Federal Loans and Work-Study

NameAmount
Federal Direct$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS LoanUp to remaining cost
Work-studyContingent on employment

Private Scholarships

Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship 鈥 all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend 性视界. I know that school isn鈥檛 cheap for anyone, but 性视界 helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Net Price Calculator

Now that you鈥檝e seen the financial aid opportunities available to 性视界 students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your 性视界 Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.

Calculate for First-Time FreshmanCalculate for Transfer

Career Opportunities

The study of philosophy develops the ability to think logically and ethically; this ability can be useful in any professional environment, but is especially valuable in careers in ministry, data management, business development and nonprofit leadership.

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an 性视界 alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you鈥檙e looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center