I'm pondering now going for a double major - I'm stuck at my college for another 2 years before I transfer, so why not make the most of it? I'm considering adding Philosophy on top of my already planned Computer Science major, and for my undergraduate work this only means replacing 4 random classes I've selected over the next 4-6 semesters (to 6 includes possible summers) with 4, 3 unit courses.
On top of that, because I am considering applying to UC Berkeley in addition to UC Davis, my computer science major will require 2 more CS classes, and 1 more math class. UC Davis actually has more requirements, but UC Berkeley simply has different requirements.
I'm also planning on taking 4 semesters of American Sign Language so I can learn how to sign, because quite a few of my friends are deaf and it'd be nice to communicate to them in person without a pen and paper.
However, this all seems a bit daunting - I can actually add on a majority of these classes, but I'm more concerned with the added Math and CS courses.
What do you guys think - should I go for the double major in CS and PHIL, or should I stick to my cozy CS major and read philosophical books to gain that knowledge?
ID:116224
Jul 22 2011, 6:20 am
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Jul 22 2011, 7:41 am
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There is no point in doing a philosophy major if you don't plan on having a career in the field, or don't have the commitment to learn on your own (in which case you are probably not interested in the field enough to major in it ;p).
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Hm. In future years I want to go to seminary, but I have no need for philosophy to do that - just a Bachelor's Degree.
So you think I should simply learn it on my own? Maybe take a class or two as electives, but overall learn on my own? |
I thought about that maybe when I'm 50 or so, but then again if I want to do that I can always go back to school. I might try to pick up a Ph.D when I'm 60 or so just to be able to say that I'm a doctor. :P
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I found philosophy and ethics class VERY boring. But then again, my class was taught by a hippie who never had a lesson plan...
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Well, I'll likely just move to fully learning ASL then, and just reading philosophical texts on the side. I have questioned if I should get into psychology as I'm an avid poker player, but I decided that I don't need to be a psychologist to understand when someone's bluffing. :P
I suppose I'll stick with my comfortable CS. Thanks Toady. Cody: Philosophy is actually pretty interesting, but a lot of people look at it the wrong way, and I can definitely bet that many professors are horrible at teaching it. |
That's what I'm planning to do. Take Computer Science in college and learn other things on my own. Already learning a bit about of Electronic Engineering on my own (since I got a kit about three years ago). Sometime, I also thought about learning some American Sign Language to better communicate with deaf people.
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What can you do with a Philosophy degree? Don't waste your time/money at college getting a pointless degree. If you want, get a minor, but it's not worth the time if you don't plan on ever using it.
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One thing, though: I wouldn't give you the same advice had you wanted to learn, say, biology on the side, even if you wouldn't use it in the future. Philosophy is just a subject you can, and are perhaps better off learning on your own; the degree is just a certificate for those who need it. At least that's the impression I got.
If you do plan on being a lecturer one day, if I can tell anything about a person from their writing, I think you'll be a great teacher. |
Right. I can't actually find any other major that's very appealing - psychology is actually, but at both colleges I wish to attend (Berkeley and Davis), they only offer the biological side of it, and the pathway of being a psychiatrist. I may minor in it, but to be honest I'd rather minor in robotics before I ever looked to minor in anything to do with biology.
That's funny that you say that - I've never thought myself to be that good of a writer, but you honestly have no idea how much of my day was made by hearing that Toad. I appreciate it very much. |