Philosophy

Do human beings have free will? Is the mind distinct from our physical constitution? Does God exist? Is morality a matter of opinion? These are some of the questions that may be examined in introductory philosophy degrees. Areas of study include ethics, logic, feminism, aesthetics, political philosophy, philosophy of law, philosophy of language, epistemology and metaphysics.

Major Study

A major in Philosophy comprises 52 credit points of PHIL subjects, of which at least 24 credit points are 300-level PHIL subjects (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 Convenor 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.

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

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.

Study Program