Philosophy
Department Handbook
Section B. The Philosophy Curriculum
[The Aim] [Learning Outcomes] [The Curriculum] [Study Abroad] [The Philosophy Society]
The Aim
The aim of the philosophy curriculum is to provide an education in philosophy that will enable you to acquire skills that are integral to the study of the subject.
A large number of different degree programmes make provision for the study of philosophy. The curriculum is therefore designed to meet the needs of a wide range of students, from those for whom philosophy is a major component of their programme to those who may pick up the subject for only one, or a few, semesters.
In our view philosophy may usefully be pursued along with any other academic subject, since the skills integral to the subject may be applied wherever clear and rigorous thinking is called for.
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Learning Outcomes
The intended outcomes of the Philosophy components of programmes are
- knowledge and understanding of a range of philosophical topics and associated literatures mainly from European and English-speaking traditions;
- an ability to engage critically with philosophical views and arguments;
- an ability to express yourself on philosophical matters in a clear and well-organized way.
Some abilities fostered by the study of philosophy may be applied to any area of activity where clear, rigorous thinking is called for. These include abilities such as the following:
- to identify both the different elements of a view under discussion—the key concepts and claims—and the arguments used in support of the view (and their key concepts and claims);
- to identify clear faults in reasoning (e.g., inconsistencies, non sequiturs);
- to make sense of difficult and complex writing;
- to write about a complex topic in a clear and well-organized way;
- to develop and defend your own arguments and ideas.
These intellectual skills are integral to the study of philosophy.
In addition, Philosophy is taught in an environment in which you will
- become acquainted with basic intellectual virtues such as respect for evidence and argument, preparedness to be self-critical, fairness in assessing the positions of those with differing views
- gain experience in, for example, speaking in group discussion, responding on the spot to questions raised, giving presentations before a group, coping with the pressures of group discussion, working to deadlines, planning work ahead of time, and so on.
These outcomes apply to the study of philosophy at all levels. There is progression in the level of difficulty of the set topics and associated readings, and in what is expected of you.
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The Curriculum
The curriculum comprises an introduction in semester 1, a series of core modules, and a collection of options most of which are available on a two-yearly cycle. The semester 1 module (PHI911) will introduce you to a number of central philosophical topics. This module is not essential for most Philosophy programmes, though most students undertaking a Philosophy programme take it. Core modules are modules that are either essential to programme or are part of a small group of modules from which students must make a selection. Core modules vary from programme to programme, as indicated below.
| Semester 1 | PHI911 Philosophy: What Is It All About? Required for the B.A. with Honours in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) and for the BSc in Philosophy, Computing and Psychology (PCP). Students taking the General Degree with Philosophy as Main Subject must have a credit in either PHI911 or PHI912 |
| Semester 2 | PHI912 Mind, Value and Reality This is required for any Honours Philosophy programme, for the PPE degree, for the PCP degree and for the Three-Year B.A. in Philosophy. |
| Semester 3 | PHI913 From Plato to Existentialism Required for Honours Philosophy programmes, the PPE degree, the PCP degree, the General Degree with Philosophy as Main Subject, and the Three-Year B.A. in Philosophy. |
| Semester 4 | PHI9C4 Logic; PHI9J4 Moral Theory Students taking Honours Philosophy programmes, the General Degree with Philosophy as Main Subject, and the Three-Year B.A. in Philosophy, must obtain a credit in either PHI9C4 or PHI9J4. PHI9J4 is required for PPE; PHI9C4 is required for PCP. |
| Semester 5 | PHI9CA: Rationalism and Empiricism; PHI9CB: Philosophy of Mind Students taking Honours Philosophy programmes, the General Degree with Philosophy as Main Subject, or the Three-Year B.A. in Philosophy, must obtain a credit in either PHI9CA or PHI9CB. PHI9CA is required for PPE. |
| Semester 6 | No core modules |
| Semesters 7 & 8 | Students on Honours programmes must include some Directed Independent Study (DIS) in their programme. The following are DIS modules: PHI9X8 - Electives (22 credits) taken over Spring semester. PHI9ZZ One semester (22 credit) dissertation. PHI9YY Two semester (44 credit) dissertation. |
Options
In each of semesters 1-3 only one Philosophy module is available. The selection of optional modules later on is designed to cover a good range of areas of the subject. The current option list includes modules dealing with: the writings of key historical figures; moral philosophy; social, legal and political philosophy; the theory of knowledge; metaphysics, philosophy of action; philosophy of language; practical reasoning; aesthetics and the philosophy of religion.
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Study Abroad
The University has exchange arrangements with a number of universities in the USA, Europe and elsewhere. As part of the scheme students may apply to spend their third year abroad. The scheme is highly competitive. Philosophy students have been regularly successful in applying for places on the scheme. There is an exchange programme with the University of Copenhagen providing opportunities for two students to spend the Spring semester of third year at Copenhagen.
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The Philosophy Society
The Philosophy Society meetings are held in town regularly throughout the semester, providing an informal forum for philosophical discussion. Recent speakers have included undergraduate and postgraduate students and members of staff. For further details, see the website at
and also look out for the advertising posters in the Philosophy corridor.
The society organises numerous social events, including a regular Staff-Student Pool Tournament, and occasionally a student mini-conference held over a weekend.
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