Philosophy BA

Programme structure

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

The Philosophy degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.

Depending on your programme you can take up to 30 credits each year in another subject, for instance a language or business module, to develop career-related skills or just widen your intellectual horizons.

Please note that modules offered are subject to change, depending on staff availability, timetabling, and demand.

Year 1

The first year gives you a foundational knowledge of philosophy theory and concepts. You will also be introduced to important analytical techniques that will be useful across a range of subjects and research tasks.

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits PHL1002AKnowledge and Reality 1 15 PHL1002BKnowledge and Reality 2 15 PHL1006Introduction to Philosophical Analysis 15 PHL1005AEvidence and Argument 1 15 PHL1007Philosophical Reading 1 15 PHL1008Philosophical Reading 2 15 Optional modules

Optional modules worth 30 credits.

CodeModuleCredits PHL1009Philosophies of Art15 PHL1010Introduction to Asian Philosophy15 PHL1013Philosophy of Morality 15 PHL1036Foucault-Discipline and Punish15 PHL1112Philosophy of Film 15 Year 2

In the second year you can choose 60 credits from those listed below. This enables you to develop specialist knowledge on a range of topics by studying the options you're most interested in.

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits PHL2010APhilosophy of Mind - 115 PHL2011APhilosophy of Nature 115 PHL2012Social Philosophy 15 PHL2015Body and Mind 15 PHL2016Metaphysics 15 PHL2018Philosophy of Language15 Optional modules

You can then choose 60 credits from the other level 2 or 3 Philosophy modules

CodeModuleCredits PHL2050Knowing the Social: perception, memory and representation15 PHL3011Philosophy of Science30 PHL3013Virtues and Vices15 PHL3014Symbolic Logic15 PHL3018Sex and Death: Introduction to the Philosophy of Biology 15 PHL3029Sociology and Philosophy of Globalisation15 PHL3032Freedom15 PHL3033Equality15 PHL3035Critical Bioethics15 PHL3037Aristotle's Politics15 PHL3038The Self15 PHL3046AThe Holocaust, Genocide and Society30 PHL3074Cyborg Studies 30 PHL3075Philosophical Readings 615 PHL3100Knowledge and History: Theories of Scientific Change15 Year 3

The centre-point of the final year is the dissertation. This provides you with the opportunity to explore an area of interest and to demonstrate what you have learned over the previous years of your degree. You will also take other specialist modules to create a programme of work fully reflecting your interests.

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits PHL3040Philosophy Dissertation 30 Optional modules CodeModuleCredits PHL3011Philosophy of Science30 PHL3013Virtues and Vices15 PHL3014Symbolic Logic15 PHL3018Sex and Death: Introduction to the Philosophy of Biology 15 PHL3029Sociology and Philosophy of Globalisation15 PHL3032Freedom15 PHL3033Equality15 PHL3035Critical Bioethics15 PHL3037Aristotle's Politics15 PHL3038The Self15 PHL3040Philosophy Dissertation 30 PHL3046AThe Holocaust, Genocide and Society30 PHL3074Cyborg Studies 30 PHL3075Philosophical Readings 615 PHL3100Knowledge and History: Theories of Scientific Change15