To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the degree in which you are enrolled:

A student may complete a major sequence of 36 units in Philosophy by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) and two Year 3 topics (9 units) plus two additional topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.


A student may complete a minor sequence of 22.5 units in Philosophy by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) plus and additional topic (4.5 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below. This option is not available to students undertaking the BEd(MSS)/BA degree.

A student may complete an extended major sequence in Philosophy by completing the prescribed major topics (36 units), plus an additional two topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed below.

An extended major in Philosophy is not available to students enrolled in the double Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Course aims

The Philosophy major aims:

  • to give students an advanced understanding of key philosophical ideas and areas of philosophy, including both moral and social philosophy, and in epistemology and metaphysics
  • to give students an advanced understanding of central philosophical arguments and research methods.

Learning outcomes

Students must demonstrate both verbally and in writing that they:

  • have read and understood material up to an advanced level on central areas of moral and social philosophy as well as epistemology and metaphysics
  • have read and understood some central arguments on important issues in moral and social philosophy as well as metaphysics and epistemology
  • can formulate arguments on some important issues in modern literature on philosophy. 

Program of study

The following is the program of study for a 36 unit major sequence in Philosophy within a Bachelor of Arts and should be read in conjunction with the course rule for the BA.

Major - Philosophy

Option - Year 1 topics

Select 9 units from the following:

 PHIL1010  Mind and World  (4.5 units)
 PHIL1030  The Individual and Society  (4.5 units)
 PHIL1060  Critical Reasoning  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 2 topics

Select 9 units from the following:

 PHIL2601  Ethics for Professionals  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2602  Bioethics  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2603  Mind and Consciousness  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2604  Environmental Philosophy  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2606  Reality, Perception and Knowledge  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2607  Philosophy and the Good Life  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2608  Freedom, Law and Society  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2609  Philosophy and Literature  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2610  Truth, Reality and God: Themes from the Philosophy of Religion  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2611  Breaking the Rules: Opposing Injustice Without Violence  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2612  Moral Problems  (4.5 units)
 PHIL2613  Global Justice  (4.5 units)

plus select an additional 4.5 units from the year 2 topics listed above or year 3 topics listed below.

Option - Year 3 topics

Select 9 units from the following:

 PHIL3601  Moral Philosophy  (4.5 units)
 PHIL3602  Knowledge, Truth and Being  (4.5 units)
 PHIL3603  Understanding Other Minds  (4.5 units)
 PHIL3605  Emotion, Ethics, Religion  (4.5 units)
 PHIL3606  Issues in Moral and Political Philosophy  (4.5 units)

plus select an additional 4.5 units from the year 2 or 3 topics listed above.

Honours

Refer to Honours - Philosophy