Philosophy

Philosophy may be studied at first, second, third, and fourth year (Honours) levels, and at the postgraduate level. Various degrees of specialisation are possible. A major study in Philosophy is defined as follows:

Philosophy Major. A major in Philosophy comprises 52 credit points of PHIL subjects, of which at least 24 credit points are 300-level PHIL subjects (save that POL211 may be counted in place of one 200-level PHIL subject, or one of POL314 and POL324 may be counted in place of one 300-level PHIL subject, with the approval of the Head of Program). Philosophy studies within the Program divide into two broad streams of study - (1) Ethics, Politics and Law and (2) Knowledge, Mind and Metaphysics. It is recommended to students that they include in their major a spread of subjects across these two streams.

Students who enrolled in Philosophy prior to 1996 should consult the 1995 Calendar for the requirements for a major in Philosophy. Intending Honours students who enrolled in Philosophy prior to 1996 should note that, from 1996, PHIL322 Contemporary Theories of Knowledge and Metaphysics counts in lieu of PHIL352 Philosophical Problems II (which has been deleted from the Calendar). Students with enquiries about the requirements for a major in Philosophy should consult the Head of Program.

Philosophy Honours. Students who find that their interest in Philosophy is keen, and whose early work shows promise, are strongly recommended to plan a course of study which leaves open the possibility of taking a fourth (Honours) year, either exclusively in Philosophy ('Pure' Honours) or in conjunction with some other discipline ('Combined' Honours). An increasing number of other Programs within the University do permit the possibility of an Honours degree combined with Philosophy, and students interested in combining the study of Philosophy with the study of a discipline offered by another Program to Honours level should contact both Programs at the earliest opportunity, in order to ensure that they undertake a planned course of study which makes this possible at 400-level. Admission to the Honours year (400-level) in Philosophy (whether pure or combined) depends upon the quantity and quality of the student's philosophical studies at the 100-, 200-, and 300- levels, and compliance with the guidelines set out under (a) to (c) below.

Students contemplating progressing to Honours in Philosophy (pure or combined) should discuss their proposed program of study with the Philosophy Honours (400-level) co-ordinator at the beginning of each year of enrolment. (Students contemplating combined Honours should also consult the equivalent person in the other Program at the beginning of each year of enrolment.) Entry to Philosophy Honours is determined by the Academic Senate on the advice of the Head of the Philosophy Program in the case of 'pure' Honours candidates, and on the joint advice of the Heads of both Programs in the case of 'combined' Honours candidates. Students may expect to be recommended for admission to 'pure' Philosophy Honours candidature if they:

1.  complete the requirements for a major in Philosophy, while including in their major at least one of PHIL301 and PHIL390, and at least one of PHIL322 and PHIL351, and
2.  acquire a basic competence in formal logic (e.g., as certified by at least a pass in PHIL112 or PHIL216), and
3.  attain an average of Credit or better in post 100-level PHIL subjects.

Students may expect to be recommended for admission to 'combined' Honours candidature (including Philosophy) if, in addition to meeting the above requirements, they also meet such requirements as are laid down by the other Program in which Honours candidature is proposed.

Notwithstanding these provisions the Head of the Philosophy Program may, in respect of any applicant for entry to Honours, request written work and/or the opinions of the applicant's previous teachers as further evidence of the applicant's capacity to undertake the study of Philosophy at advanced level.

Announcements
Official Program announcements concerning the details of subject requirements (e.g. deadlines for essays, procedures for applying for extensions etc.) and teaching arrangements (e.g. class times, locations, and variations) are made from time to time on the Philosophy Program noticeboard, near the Program office. Students are expected to consult the Program noticeboard regularly (at least once a week), and failure to consult the notice board will not be accepted as an excuse.

Assessment
Requirements vary from subject to subject and are set out in general terms in each of the subject entries. It should be noted that, notwithstanding any of these provisions, the Philosophy Program Assessment Committee may, at its discretion, in respect of any subject in which assessment is by a combination of (a) in-session work and (b) end of session or end of year examinations, attach greater weight to (b) than the aggregate of (a) and (b), should the level of performance under (b) disclose significant evidence of improvement in respect of the subject as a whole.

 

100-Level	Credit Points
PHIL101	Knowledge, Morals and Society A	6
PHIL102	Body, Mind and Persons A	6
PHIL112	Logic A	6
PHIL151	Practical Reasoning A	6
200-Level
PHIL201	Knowledge, Morals and Society B	6
PHIL202	Body, Mind and Persons B	6
PHIL206	Practical Ethics	8
PHIL211	Greek Philosophy	8
PHIL214	Practical Reasoning B	6
PHIL215	Philosophy of the Arts	8
PHIL216	Logic B	6
PHIL231	Formal Logic A	8
PHIL232	Political Philosophy	8
PHIL255	Interpretation and ommunication	8
PHIL256	Ethics and the Environment A	6
PHIL258	Ethics and the Environment B	8
PHIL260	Philosophy of Feminism A	8
PHIL262	Theories of Knowledge and Metaphysics A	8
PHIL270	Philosophy of Law	8
PHIL271	Special PhilosophicalQuestions A	8
PHIL284	Ethics A	8
PHIL286	Philosophy of Social Science	8
PHIL288	Philosophy of Mind and Action A	8
300-Level
PHIL301	Ethics B	8
PHIL305	Special PhilosophicalQuestions B	8
PHIL322	Theories of Knowledge and Metaphysics	8
PHIL351	Philosophy of Mind and Action B	8
PHIL361	Formal Logic B	8
PHIL363	Philosophy of Feminism B	8
PHIL370	Topics in Philosophy of Law	8
PHIL380	Bioethics	8
PHIL390	Contemporary Political Philosophy	8
400-Level
PHIL403	Philosophy Honours	48
PHIL413	Combined Philosophy Honours	48