BA (Hons) Philosophy and the Catholic Tradition

Aims:
To introduce students to the main branches of philosophy, and to some classic texts, together with the major philosophers in the western tradition.
To provide students with a critical understanding of the Catholic philosophical tradition.
To explore the relationship between the Catholic philosophical tradition, continental philosophical traditions and Anglo-American philosophy.
To enable students to engage with diverse philosophical standpoints from the perspective of the Catholic philosophical tradition.
To analyse the various philosophical foundations for the study of theology together with the use of philosophical principles in the life and thinking of the Church.
To enable students to prepare for further study, especially in the fields of philosophy and theology.

The programme would appeal to those wishing to study philosophy within the Catholic tradition in some depth. The course is at undergraduate honours degree level, and is validated by The Open University. Within this programme, students may gain a Higher Education Certificate and Diploma in Philosophy and the Catholic Tradition for two and four years study respectively. To suit the needs of clerical and religious students, there are opportunities to take appropriately ordered combinations of modules, from the degree course.

In general, entry to this degree programme is ‘open’, in the sense that no specific previous qualifications are needed, but evidence will be sought of ability for degree level work and the application will need to be supported by appropriate references. The Programme is delivered in English and evidence of competence in the language may be required of those for whom English is not their first language.