Georgetown, with its commitment to the Jesuit tradition, believes that men and women should consider reflectively their relationship to the world, their fellow humans, and God.

All Georgetown students must take two Philosophy courses: one in Ethics (PHIL 010, 100-149) and one in Non-Ethics (020, 150-199). Courses taught outside the Philosophy Department do not satisfy either of these requirements unless they are cross-listed in Philosophy.*

Further, the first course a student takes in Philosophy must be a First Philosophy Course (PHIL 010 or 020) (except seniors). After taking a First Philosophy Course in either non-ethics or ethics, students must take a second course in the opposite area, either at the First Philosophy level or at the Bridge Course level (100-199). Students are strongly encouraged to take their second course at the Bridge Course level. Seniors are not permitted to enroll in First Philosophy Courses (though the department will consider exceptions for extraordinary reasons).

SFS students must take PHIL 099 as a first course. For a second course SFS students may choose either ethics or non-ethics (010-199).

*Cross-listed courses will satisfy the general education requirement in philosophy only if they are taught by a faculty member with a PhD in philosophy and the readings in the course are predominantly by philosophers. Requests to cross-list courses must be made by the faculty member before the beginning of the semester.

Objectives of the Required Philosophy Courses