BA (Hons) Philosophy

The study of philosophy at Durham does not follow one particular school. The Department is unique in the UK in its wide-ranging expertise in anglo-american analytical philosophy and continental philosophy. Each of these has its own distinctive set of issues and approaches to resolving them. We also have special expertise in the philosophy of science, and social science, and the history of science and medicine. So at Durham, you will follow one of the widest-ranging philosophy degrees in the country.Philosophy is a new subject for many students, so in your first year, you follow a range of introductory courses, introducing the fundamental philosophical subject areas.**Year 1**In their first year, you will take the Philosophy core modules of Ethics and Values, Knowledge and Reality, Philosophical Traditions, and Reading Philosophy. Reading Philosophy is a text-based course which examines in depth classic works by writers such as Plato, Hume, and Sartre.You will also take two further modules, which can be chosen from Science, Medicine and Society, European Philosophy, or an 'elective' module being offered by another department within the University.**Years 2 and 3**In the second and third years, you will have a choice of a wide range of topics. In previous years these have included:Moral TheoryModern Philosophy I and IIHistory of Science and MedicineIssues in Contemporary EthicsPhilosophy of ReligionPolitical PhilosophyMetaphysicsLanguage, Logic and RealityTwentieth Century European PhilosophyPhilosophy of ScienceThe Philosophy of Economics and Politics: Theory, Methods and ValuesApplied EthicsPhilosophical Issues in Contemporary ScienceHistory and Philosophy of PsychiatryBiomedical Ethics Past and PresentPhilosophy of Mind. You will also have the opportunity to study a subject in depth, by writing a substantial Dissertation on a topic of your choice, in your third year. As well as choosing modules from within the Philosophy Department in your second and third years, you can also opt to choose 'elective' modules offered by other departments within the University.We review course structures and core content (in light of e.g. external and student feedback) every year. Please note that the list of optional modules available in any year will vary depending on available teaching staff. The lists above provide an example of the type of modules which may be offered.For more information on this course, please see our website.