Overview
The questions which philosophers discuss are so basic and so general that at some time or other most people have come across them. Philosophy is the attempt to assess the foundations of our beliefs and the principles we live by.
The basic questions of philosophy connect with almost every subject taught at university, so 100-level Philosophy papers are a useful part of any degree. Higher level Philosophy papers examine the foundations of many disciplines including the sciences, mind and language, religion, ethics, politics and logic.
Contact details
Email philosophy@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/philosophy
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Master of Arts (MA)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Papers
See the full list of Philosophy (PHIL) papers.
Programme Requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Philosophy
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two 100-level PHIL papers | 36 |
| 200-level | Two 200-level PHIL papers One further PHIL paper at 200-level or above One of GEND 201 Introduction to Feminist Theory, POLS 202 Theories of Justice, or PSYC 204 Justice, Race and Class, may be substituted for one 200-level PHIL paper | 36 18 |
| 300-level | Four 300-level PHIL papers (or three 300-level PHIL papers and one 400-level PHIL paper) One of BITC 301 Bioethics, CLAS 340 Love, Death and the Good Life: Socrates and Plato, or POLS 301 Power and Liberty, may be substituted for one 300-level PHIL paper | 72 |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Philosophy
| Papers |
|---|
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Philosophy
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Philosophy is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Master of Arts (MA) in Philosophy - coursework option
| Papers |
|---|
CLAS 440 may be substituted for one 400-level PHIL paper. |
Master of Arts (MA) in Philosophy
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Philosophy or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Philosophy must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Philosophy prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Philosophy
| Papers |
|---|
CLAS 440 may be substituted for one 400-level PHIL paper. |
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Philosophy
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Philosophy or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Philosophy must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Philosophy prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Minor Subject Requirements
Philosophy as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, or BASc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two 100-level PHIL papers | 36 |
| 200-level | Two 200-level PHIL papers | 36 |
| 300-level | One 300-level PHIL paper | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
