Philosophy

Course Content (including module information)

The degree programme does not presuppose any prior training in Philosophy and can profitably be taken by those who have studied the subject at school - as well as those who have not.

Level 1

Students choose six modules from a range of introductory modules including the following:

• Logic and Critical Thinking
• Perspectives on Politics
• Philosophy and Human Nature
• Philosophy and the Good Life

Levels 2 and 3

At Levels 2 and 3, the subject may be studied as a Single Honours (12 modules) or Joint Honours (six philosophy modules together with six modules taken from the other subject).

Students take the appropriate number of modules from the following indicative list:

• Applied Ethics
• Contemporary Critical Theory
• Contemporary Epistemology
• Contemporary Theories of Justice
• History of Philosophy
• Knowledge and Reality
• Metaphysics
• Mind and Language
• Mind and Nature
• Modern Political Thought
• Moral Theories
• Philosophical Theology
• Philosophy of Law
• Philosophy of Science
• Scholastic Ethics
• Scholastic Metaphysics
• The Religious and the Secular in Modern Political Thought
• Dissertation

Assessment (general): The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general): As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
• Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references (where relevant).
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential. On the BA in Philosophy, we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.

Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to contribute and develop the QUB Philosophy Blog.
• Seminars/tutorials: Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide significant opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess your own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
• Self-directed study: This is an important part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Supervised projects: In final year, you will have the chance to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that you have chosen. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you on at least 3 occasions during the write up stage.
• Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

• Study abroad opportunities: Students have the opportunity to spend some time studying in one of our linked universities. For example, this can take the form of a semester’s study in Switzerland (Fribourg), Italy (Venezia), Belgium (KU Leuven), for which credits are transferred back to your degree here in Queen’s.
• Prizes: The annual Monsignor Arthur Ryan Prize is awarded to the best overall degree result in Philosophy. There are also prizes for excellent work at levels one and two. We also support our students entering essays to the annual Undergraduate Awards.