Philosophy

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this major, students should be able to:

• possess a broad knowledge and understanding of the discipline of philosophy over a range of different areas, and a deep understanding of some of those areas. They will be able to identify and understand major disciplinary themes from among ethics, social and political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology and logic, across a range of historical periods; and
• engage critically with existing philosophical conversations and develop the capacity for critical and creative interventions in those discussions, using a wide range of approaches and independent research skills; and
• discern the relevance of philosophical ideas in a wide variety of fields and contexts. This will include the ability to recognise and critically evaluate epistemological, ontological and ethical assumptions in social, political, scientific, moral, and cultural positions and arguments; and
• bring philosophical intelligence and expertise to bear in their studies in disciplines outside philosophy, (in the humanities, social sciences and languages, as well as law, science, medicine, engineering, commerce and economics). They will be able to recognise the import of other disciplines for philosophical thinking; and
• demonstrate a high-level of communication skills, including oral and written presentation of arguments; and
• demonstrate high level collaboration skills, including effective work in small and large groups; and
• critically and constructively engage with radical critique of their own presuppositions and commitments.