Our philosophy course offers you the chance to grapple with some of the most fundamental questions generated by our lived human experience. Many of these questions have been shaped by recent technological advances and social changes (such as the rise of the internet, social media and Artificial Intelligence, mass migration, social inequality and climate change). You will learn how to form your own answers to philosophical questions in a supportive environment. Through discussion and debate and one-to-one feedback on your coursework you will develop the analytical thinking, moral reasoning and problem-solving skills that are becoming central to 21st century careers.
Philosophy
Our researchers examine philosophical issues in a wide range of areas including:
- philosophy of mind
- history of philosophy
- philosophy of religion
- philosophy of law
- aesthetics
- epistemology
- philosophy of religion
- feminist philosophy
- philosophy of science.
They are particularly keen to explore the relevance of philosophy to everyday life and practical concerns.
We take a serious interest in public engagement. We run philosophical enquiry sessions for children in local schools. We also run the local branch of the Royal Institute of Philosophy hosting numerous public lectures delivered by leading international philosophers.
Our Philosophy course offers you the chance to get involved in a work and community related learning project. You can pick your own work placement and write a reflective journal of 3000 words based on the experience. You can even use your existing job as a basis for a study topic. For example if you work part-time in a care home, you could write a project on memory loss in Alzheimer's patients, or look at issues of power and authority in the workplace.
The Philosophy course also offers a ‘philosophy with schools’ programme. This voluntary programme offers you specialist training in this field before embarking on a placement in a local school, teaching philosophy to children as an enriching educational activity.
“During my second year we were given the opportunity to teach philosophy in a local school over a period of five weeks. It was a challenging experience to transform philosophical knowledge from a university lecture into a lesson plan. But the support we received from our tutor was incredible and ensured the project was a huge success. The extent to which lecturers go above and beyond what is expected is something I am both thankful for and impressed by.”
Rowan Fisher, Philosophy graduate
