Philosophy

Event Date: 

Monday, February 1, 2021 - 2:30pm
The UCSB Philosophy Program encourages its majors to study abroad through the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP). This is a great opportunity for those who want to make the most of their college experience. Exposure to other cultures and contexts can help students gain new perspectives and achieve a greater understanding of the world in which we live. It is also an opportunity to put one’s critical thinking and reasoning skills to the test in a whole new setting. Any upper-division Philosophy course taken through UCEAP will automatically be applied towards the Philosophy major, so there is no need to think of a summer, a semester, or a year overseas as lost time.
 
Why study abroad?

The major issues of philosophy – thought, ethics, knowledge, language – are not explored in a vacuum, but are part of the living experience of culture. Other philosophical topics such as politics, religion, justice, and aesthetics are often illuminatingly studied in terms of human experience, experience that may differ across language, time, and place. Studying abroad broadens your perspectives and enlarges your thinking about the major issues that continue to engage philosophers.

Philosophy majors have the opportunity to study in the places where the great philosophers lived and taught. Study Confucius and Lao-tsu in China; Nietzsche, Leibniz, Kant, and Hegel in Germany; Spinoza in the Netherlands; Descartes in France; or Locke, Berkeley, Hume and Wittgenstein in Britain. Students may also study the Japanese language while learning about Japanese aesthetics or learn Hindi while studying India. The opportunities for philosophy majors to study around the world are tremendous.

When should I study abroad?

Philosophy majors typically study abroad during their junior or senior year. This allows students time to plan out their courses so that they can graduate on time and gain language proficiency if they are planning on studying in another language when they are abroad. Prior to departure, students should complete Philosophy 3 or 183, and ideally, some additional philosophy courses. Students should also consult with the Philosophy Undergraduate Advisor or UCEAP Faculty Advisor as well as the College of Letters and Science to ensure the successful completion of degree requirements, especially if they plan to graduate while abroad.

It is best to plan early for study abroad. Applications are typically due six months to a year prior to the start of the program. There is a wide range of programs: summer, half- and full-year, language intensive, and major-specific. 

Where should I study abroad?

With over 40 different countries to choose from, you have many options. Many UCEAP courses are taught in English, even in places as diverse as BarbadosGhanaHong Kong, and South Africa, as well as the more obvious AustraliaCanada, and UK-England

What classes should I take?

UCEAP students automatically earn UC credit for work completed abroad. Philosophy courses taken by Philosophy majors for a grade will automatically count as electives towards their major. Students are encouraged to take classes that best suit their particular interests. However, if you would like to have your UCEAP courses apply to a specific area of your upper-division requirements, or to substitute for a specific UCSB Philosophy class, you will need to take classes with a similar subject matter.

Upon your return from overseas, you will need to petition to have such courses apply towards the particular requirements in question. (If a UCEAP course clearly corresponds to a specific UCSB course, this will most likely be readily approved. But such decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis, and you should keep your UCEAP course syllabi to document the content of the classes you have taken.) We are happy to talk with you about how your proposed courses will apply towards your major.

Use Gaucho Credit Abroad to search for the types of credit (i.e. major, minor, GE areas, or electives towards graduation) that UCSB students received for courses taken on UCEAP. You can find more UCEAP courses in the UCEAP Course Catalog and additional course listings on UCEAP partner university/program websites.

How do I get started?

Academic Planning Form Tutorial

Gaucho Credit Abroad Database