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Philosophy

Philosophers seek meaning beyond surface facts. Rather than filling the mind with information, philosophy encourages students to think actively and critically. These skills are useful in a broad range of higher academic programs and professional fields, including leadership positions. Studying philosophy is also beneficial to an individual’s personal development, helping them to become more aware and enlightened citizens. Philosophers ask questions that all humans must ponder. Learning about their thoughts and reasoning can help us to understand ourselves better, other people, and the world we live in.

Students study several philosophers, ideas, and schools of thought. They learn to think critically and respond thoughtfully to various topics and questions. It is an excellent course of study for inquisitive individuals who often question the meaning behind their thoughts and actions and those of others. Many philosopher’s questions address what it means to be human, and what an individual’s place is in the community, the world, and the grand scheme of things.

Students can take philosophy courses in preparation to transfer to a four-year college or university, or for personal or professional enrichment. It is beneficial for those who wish to earn their two-year degree and enter the workforce upon graduation.

An education in philosophy provides students with a solid foundation of knowledge, writing, and critical thinking skills which may be applied to a broad assortment of careers.

A few professions in which philosophy students may succeed are:

  • Civil service
  • Computer Programmer
  • Health service manager
  • Journalism
  • Lawyer
  • Local government officer or representative
  • Marketing
  • Paralegal
  • Philosophy teacher
  • Software Engineer

AA-DTA Program Learning Outcomes

Communication Distribution Area Outcomes:
1. Create, organize, present, and adapt effective verbal and nonverbal messages to diverse audiences in diverse contexts
2. Explain the active listening process and the skills necessary  to understand verbal and nonverbal information
3. Demonstrate the ability to critically think: summarize, interpret, and evaluate written discourse 
4. Write clear, well-focused and well-organized papers using documentation
5. Select and integrate textual evidence within academic essays
6. Create expository essays using traditional academic forms and standards
7. Appropriately use college-level language skills, i.e., grammar and punctuation

Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning Distribution Area Outcomes:
1. Recognize a problem and identify the information required to solve it
2. Develop and apply appropriate algebraic models (e.g. numerical, graphical and symbolic) to obtain a solution to the problem
3. Explain the process of reasoning used to arrive at the solution

Humanities Distribution Area Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate, in writing or verbally, awareness that different contexts and/or world views produce different human creations
2. Identify and explain diverse cultural customs, beliefs, traditions, and lifestyles
3. Identify ideologies, practices and contributions that persons of diverse backgrounds bring to our multicultural world
4. Use evidence or sound reasoning to justify a position

Social Sciences Distribution Area Outcomes:
1. Describe the methods used for conducting research within the various disciplines of the social sciences
2. Evaluate the credibility of information regarding topics within the social sciences and differentiate between information derived from empirical sources and information derived from opinion, folklore, and/or emotions
3. Identify the impact of social, cultural, historical, political, geographical, and/or religious factors on behavior
4. Express increased engagement and confidence in the ability to apply course material for the purpose of improving self,  relationships,  community, society, and/or the world

Math and Science Distribution Area Outcomes:
1. Select, use, or develop an appropriate model including numerical, graphical, or symbolic representations
2. Use evidence or sound reasoning to justify a position or draw conclusions using appropriate terminology and symbolism
3. Demonstrate laboratory skills including making qualitative and quantitative observations about natural systems
4. Ascertain and critically evaluate the interrelationships within complex systems

Health Distribution Area Outcomes:
1. Our students will be able to develop an appreciation of  physical activity as a lifelong pursuit and means to better health.
2. Our students will be able to recognize the physical and mental benefits of increased activity.
3. Our students will be able to examine the effects of nutrition, rest and other lifestyle factors that contribute to better health.
4. Our students will be able to demonstrate motor skill performance of various physical activities.
5. Our students will be able to define the various health components of fitness and determine the lifestyle factors for development of physical fitness and training strategies.
6. Our students will be able to identify common health and fitness myths and trends involved with the evolving nature of physical education. 
7. Our students will be able to utilize physical activity as a tool to manage stress.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Prepare for College-level Math

Math placement is required for this program. If your math placement is below PHIL& 120, you’ll need to take the following sequence of courses, starting from the level you placed into:
AE 48 → MATH 87 → MATH 88 → PHIL& 120

Placement

English placement is not required for this program.

Associate in Arts (AA) is the community college degree designed to transfer to most bachelor's of arts degrees at all public and many private Washington four-year institutions. A candidate for the AA-DTA degree must complete 90 quarter credits in academic courses numbered 100 and above with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and meet specific distribution requirements.

Program Map for

Print/Download

Choose program map:

Total Program Credits: 93


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENGL&101
English Composition I  
5
GUID 102
Strategies for Success  
3
PHIL&101
Introduction to Philosophy  
5
PHIL&120
Symbolic Logic  
5
Total Credits
 
18

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENGL&102
Composition II  
5
PHIL 110
Introduction to Ethics  
5
POLS&101
Introduction to Political Science  
5
Total Credits
 
15

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HLTH 101
Health and Wellness  
3
MUSC&105
Music Appreciation  
5
 
Health/PE Electives   2
2
 
Lab Science   1
5
Total Credits
 
15
Lab Science: Choose 5 credits Lab Science: Choose 5 credits  
ASTR&101
Intro to Astronomy  
5
ENVS&101
Intro to Env Science  
5
GEOL&101
Intro Physical Geology  
5
PHYS 100
Introductory Physics  
5

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
PSYC&100
General Psychology  
5
 
Foreign Language 1 Electives   3
5
 
Science 1 Electives   4
5
Total Credits
 
15
ART 112
Non-Western Art  
5
ASL& 121
Am Sign Language I  
5
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication  
5
ENGL 247
American Multicultural Literature  
5
ENGL 272
World Literature since 1650  
5
FRCH&121
French I  
5
HUM 107
Introduction to Cultural Studies  
5
MUSC 109
World Music  
5
SPAN&121
Spanish I  
5

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
PHIL 209
Eastern Philosophy  
5
 
Foreign Language 2 Electives   5
5
 
Science 2 Electives   4
5
Total Credits
 
15
Foreign Language 2 Electives: Choose 5 credits Foreign Language 2 Electives: Choose 5 credits  
ASL& 122
Am Sign Language II  
5
FRCH&122
French II  
5
SPAN&121
Spanish I  
5

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
PHIL 220
Philosophy of Religion  
5
 
Foreign Language 3 Electives   6
5
 
History Electives  
5
Total Credits
 
15
Foreign Language 3 Electives: Choose 5 credits Foreign Language 3 Electives: Choose 5 credits  
ASL& 123
Am Sign Language III  
5
FRCH&123
French III  
5
SPAN&123
Spanish III  
5
History Electives: Choose 5 credits History Electives: Choose 5 credits  
HIST 106
World History to 1500  
5
HIST 107
World History since 1500  
5

1 Recommended: ASTR& 101, ENVS& 101, GEOL& 101, PHYS 100, or any other lab science
2 Any two-credit PE course
3 SPAN, FREN, or ASL & 121 if you haven’t completed two years of foreign language in high school OR a course from the Humanities Distribution list that meets the Diversity requirement
4 Recommended: Any ASTR, ENVS, GEOL, PHYS, NUTRI, or OCEA in a subject you haven’t already taken. Can be lab or non-lab.
5 SPAN, FREN, or ASL & 122 if you haven’t completed two years of foreign language in high school
6 SPAN, FREN, or ASL & 123 if you haven’t completed two years of foreign language in high school
7 Recommend any PHIL course not already taken or any ANTH or HIST course

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 9,733
$ 11,570
$ 22,036
Books
$ 1,115
$ 1,115
$ 1,115
Course Fees
$ 5
$ 5
$ 5
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 3,195
Total Costs
$ 11,526
$ 13,362
$ 26,351

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Michael Buckley

Social Sciences & Humanities Department Chair
Michael.Buckley@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8845