Columbia University Philosophy Course

Is it mandatory to take Philosophy Course in Columbia even if I take Computer Science?
What is exactly taught in philosophy course? Is it somewhat related to life and its meaning? Can I write about my interest in Philosophy in my “Why Columbia” essays?

Contemporary Civilization or “CC,” a survey course about political philosophy, is a mandatory part of the Core Curriculum. This is for the College; engineers must take CC or a similar but non-philosophy course. Other than that, there’s no requirement to take a philosophy course.
“I like philosophy” would be a suitable subject for the “Why Columbia” essay, although Columbia’s philosophy resources are hardly different from or better than those of many other schools. “I like riding the subway” might be a better topic.