Philosophy Courses
The Philosophy Department offers a wide selection of philosophy courses across times, places and traditions. You can find fall 2025 course highlights here. For more information about course listings, consult CUNYfirst. If you have any further questions about choosing your classes, contact Professor Amie Macdonald.
Major or Minor in Philosophy
The Power of Philosophy
Philosophy addresses the most fundamental questions of human existence. It analyzes, interprets, and articulates what human beings believe, value, and do. Philosophical training supplies important analytical and critical thinking skills with a wide range of possible applications. Data suggests that philosophy majors perform exceptionally on graduate-level standardized tests (LSAT, GRE, GMAT, ranking highest on LSAT scores compared to any other major). They find success in a broad variety of professional settings.
Department Chair Michael Brownstein, mibrownstein@jjay.cuny.edu
Major/Minor Coordinator Amie Macdonald, amacdonald@jjay.cuny.edu
The Faculty
Enrique Chávez-Arvizo, echavezarvizo@jjay.cuny.edu
James DiGiovanna, jdigiovanna@jjay.cuny.edu
Sergio Gallegos Ordorica, sgallegos@jjay.cuny.edu
Jonathan Jacobs, jojacobs@jjay.cuny.edu
Catherine Kemp, ckemp@jjay.cuny.edu
Kyoo Lee, kylee@jjay.cuny.edu
Jennifer Page, jepage@jjay.cuny.edu
John P. Pittman, jpittman@jjay.cuny.edu
The Philosophy Minor
Total Credit Hours: 18
PHI 231: The Big Questions (required, 3 credit hours)
At least two courses drawn from those listed at the 300 level or higher (6 credit hours)
All philosophy courses satisfy requirements for the minor
HJS 250: Justice in the Western Traditions also satisfies a requirement for the minor
The Philosophy Major
Total Credit Hours: 36
Part One: Core Courses
Each course required: 9 credit hours
PHI 105: Critical Thinking and Informal Logic
PHI 202: Philosophical Visions of American Pluralism
PHI 231: The Big Questions
Part Two: Concentrations
Select one: 18 credit hours total
Concentration A: Philosophical Tradition and Critique
Each course required: 6 credit hours
PHI 210: Ethical Theory
PHI 330: Philosophical Modernity
Critiques of Philosophical Modernity (select one)
PHI 333/GEN 333: Theories of Gender and Sexuality
PHI 343: Existentialism
PHI 351: Classical Chinese Philosophy
PHI 354/AFR 354: Africana Philosophy
PHI 358: Latin American Philosophy
Ethics and Value Theory (select one)
PHI 201: Philosophy of Art
PHI 203: Political Philosophy
PHI 214: Environmental Ethics
PHI 216: Ethics and Information Technology
PHI 238: Philosophy of Comedy
PHI 302: Philosophical Issues of Rights
PHI 322/CRJ 322: Judicial and Correctional Ethics
PHI 340: Utopian Thought
History of Philosophy (select one)
PHI 326: Topics in the History of Modern Thought
PHI 327: 19th C European and American Philosophy
PHI 343: Existentialism
PHI 351: Classical Chinese Philosophy
PHI 354/AFR 354: Africana Philosophy
Metaphysics and Epistemology (select one)
PHI 104: Philosophy of Human Nature
PHI 204: Symbolic Logic
PHI 205: Philosophy of Religion
PHI 235: Philosophy of Science
PHI 304: Philosophy of Mind
PHI 374: Epistemology
PHI 377: Metaphysics
Concentration B: Philosophy and Law
Each course required, 6 credit hours
PHI 310/LAW 310: Ethics and Law
PHI 317: Philosophy of Law
Justice and Jurisprudence (select two)
PHI 203: Political Philosophy
PHI 302: Philosophical Issues of Rights
PHI 315: Philosophy of the Rule of Law
PHI 340: Utopian Thought
Law and Morality (select two)
PHI 102: Ethical Foundations of the Just Society (first year seminar)
PHI 210: Ethical Theory
PHI 214: Environmental Ethics
PHI 216: Ethics and Information Technology
PHI 322/CRJ 322: Judicial and Correctional Ethics
Part Three: Electives
6 credit hours
Two additional philosophy courses at the 300 level or higher
Part Four: Capstone Course
Select one: 3 credit hours
PHI 400: Senior Seminar in Ethics
PHI 401: Senior Seminar in the History of Philosophy
PHI 402: Senior Seminar in Metaphysics and Epistemology
PHI 423: Senior Seminar in Justice and Law