BA Philosophy

UCAS Code: READG R12

Summary of course aims

The BA Philosophy course aims to give students an understanding of central philosophical principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures, and to provide a course of study which introduces progressive intellectual challenges and consolidates previous experience at each new level. To allow students to study in depth some aspects of Philosophy in which they have greater interest and to develop students' aptitude for Philosophy, engender a sense of belonging to a community of inquiry, and encourage intellectual development. Also to prepare students, where appropriate, for possible postgraduate study and provide a supportive learning environment with full access to welfare, pastoral and careers support

Course content

The course is divided into 3 Parts (years). You must take 120 credits in each Part.

• Part 1 introduces some major figures from the history of philosophy and introduces students to philosophical examinations of our most fundamental beliefs, for instance about truth and reality, or right and wrong.
• Part 2 provides students with the opportunity to explore the ideas and approaches emerging in Part 1 in greater depth, including a range of module options on primarily historical modules (e.g. studying Classical Greek thought or the ideas of the British Empiricists) and more topic driven modules (e.g. studying philosophy of mind, or logic). In addition in Part 2, 5 are taken up by Career Management Skills.
• Part 3 encourages increasing specialisation in the subject, allowing students to choose more advanced modules from an extensive range of options. Independent research is also encouraged through the provision of a dissertation option at this level.

For a full description of this degree course with the required compulsory and optional modules, please download the programme specification. Please note that you are advised to check that this course is running for the next academic year.

http://www.info.reading.ac.uk/progspecs/prog-index.asp

Career prospects

Over the years students who have followed this course have gone into jobs in both the public and private sectors.As such, they are eagerly sought after by employers. In addition they are given specific vocational training and orientation through a second year Career Management Scheme run by the School in conjunction with the Careers Advisory Service. In the public sector, jobs include academic and academic related jobs (e.g. lectureships, administrative posts on research boards), and the civil service. In the private sector, recent jobs include working for computer firms and large finance and insurance companies. In general, there is some evidence that IT firms appreciate the logical and analytic skills of the Philosophy graduate. Furthermore, a survey by the Royal Institute of Philosophy found that graduates with British Philosophy degrees consider their degree course to have been very relevant to their jobs, and report a very high level of job satisfaction.

Opportunities for study abroad

Students may opt to participate in the Socrates/Erasmus Exchange Programme as one of their Part 3 modules (60 credits) in the Autumn Term of Year 3.