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Alkimi University Academics

PHIL 495 · Philosophy

Independent Study in Philosophy

Self-directed scholarly inquiry in a specialized philosophical topic or figure under the guidance of a faculty sponsor. Requires an approved written study proposal, scheduled consultation hours, and an extensive culminating philosophical essay.

How to enroll Where it fits

Catalog overview

Course Essentials

Credits
1–3
Level
400 upper division
Typically offered
By arrangement
Prerequisites
Junior standing, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000, 6 credits in PHIL, and approval of the faculty sponsor and department chair.

400-level courses: advanced capstone, senior research, and specialized seminars. Counts toward the 36 upper-division credits every bachelor's degree requires (Undergraduate Catalog §2.3). Details: Undergraduate Catalog §9.15.

Department of Philosophy

Department page →
Lovell Hall Chair: Prof. Sofia Lindgren, Lovell Hall 246

Questions about a major or your plan: Academic Advising Center, Lovell Hall 101, (555) 555-0158.

PHIL 495 has no scheduled class meetings. You arrange it with a faculty sponsor in your department, who agrees the plan of work, meeting schedule, and how it's graded before you register. Department chairs make teaching assignments each year (Faculty Handbook §5.1), and every instructor posts the syllabus in Canvas by the first day of classes (Faculty Handbook §5.2).

Generative AI in this course

Every syllabus must state one of three levels: Level 1 (AI not permitted for graded work), Level 2 (AI permitted with disclosure for specified tasks), Level 3 (AI permitted broadly with disclosure). Check your section's syllabus in Canvas. Unless it says otherwise, the university default applies: generative AI tools may be used for brainstorming, studying, and feedback on your own drafts, but not to produce work you submit for a grade.

Details: Student Handbook §5.7 and Student Handbook §5.8. See what each AI level allows.

Degree planning

Where PHIL 495 fits

What to take first, what this course opens up, and the requirements it can satisfy, from the Undergraduate Catalog.

Take first

No catalog course is required first.

Catalog wording: Junior standing, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000, 6 credits in PHIL, and approval of the faculty sponsor and department chair.

Leads to

All Philosophy courses →

No other catalog course lists PHIL 495 as a prerequisite.

Counts toward

All programs →

Every course also counts toward the 120 credits needed for a bachelor's degree. Confirm your plan with your advisor or the Academic Advising Center.

AP credit

AP equivalency table →

No AP exam awards credit for PHIL 495 (Undergraduate Catalog §3.11).

Registration

How to enroll in PHIL 495

  1. Check the prerequisites

    Junior standing, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000, 6 credits in PHIL, and approval of the faculty sponsor and department chair.

  2. Add it in AlkimiHub

    PHIL 495 is offered by arrangement with a faculty sponsor, in any term. Agree the plan of work with your faculty sponsor, then submit the signed proposal or learning agreement through AlkimiHub by the add deadline; the Registrar enrolls you once it's approved (Undergraduate Catalog §2.13 and Undergraduate Catalog §2.14). Details: Student Handbook §3.3.

  3. If the section is full, join the waitlist

    When a seat opens, AlkimiHub offers it to the first student on the waitlist and emails you. You have 24 hours to claim it before it goes to the next student. Details: Student Handbook §3.10.

All dates: academic calendar. Registration help: Office of the Registrar.

PHIL courses

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Previous course PHIL 490 Senior Philosophy Seminar Capstone Browse all courses