Academic Requirements
Suggestion for Choosing Philosophy Courses
A philosophy major should aim to first acquire a broad understanding that comes from taking courses in different sub-areas in philosophy, and then proceed to explore one or two sub-areas he or she finds most interesting. This is only a suggestion, not a requirement. Courses within each sub-area tend to be interrelated in ways that allow students to both deepen and broaden their interest and learning in more meaningful ways.
Academic Requirements for Majors
The requirements for the Philosophy Major depends on the student's cohort.
Note: Beginning from AY2015/2016, GEK1067/GET1029 Life, the Universe, and Everything replaces PH1102E Introduction to Philosophy as the Philosophy exposure course. Philosophy major students are not allowed to use either GEK1067 or GET1029 to fulfil GE or Unrestricted Electives outside student's major. As per the university’s guidelines, GE coded courses cannot be used to fulfill major requirements, the exception being GEK1067/GET1029 and GEM2006/GET1028.
GEK2041/GET1025, GEK2048/GET1026, GEM1004/GET1027 and GES1041 cannot be used to fulfil the PH major requirements.
With effect from Semester 1, AY2019-2020, PE2101P is recognised towards fulfilling the single Major [B.A. and B.A. (Hons)] requirements in Philosophy for Cohort 2015 onwards. Students who read this course prior to Semester 1, AY2019-2020 can count the course towards these requirements.
Academic Requirements for Major with Honours
Undergraduates admitted to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences may major in philosophy and obtain the B.A. (Honours) degree, the requirements for which depends on which cohort the student is from.
Note: Beginning from AY2015/2016, GEK1067/GET1029 Life, the Universe, and Everything replaces PH1102E Introduction to Philosophy as the Philosophy exposure course. Philosophy major students are not allowed to use either GEK1067 or GET1029 to fulfil GE or Unrestricted Electives outside student's major. As per the university’s guidelines, GE coded courses cannot be used to fulfill major requirements, the exception being GEK1067/GET1029 and GEM2006/GET1028.
GEK2041/GET1025/GEX1011, GEK2048/GET1026/GEX1012, GEM1004/GET1027 and GES1041/GESS1029 cannot be used to fulfil the PH major requirements.
The Honours Thesis and the Independent Study Course
PH4401 Honours Thesis is an optional course. To qualify to enroll, students from the 2007 Cohort onwards must be on the Honours Track. Students from the 2007 Cohort to the 2014 Cohort must complete at least 110 units including 60 units of PH major requirements and obtain a minimum GPA of 3.50. Students from the 2015 Cohort and onwards must complete at least 110 units including 44 units of PH major requirements and obtain a minimum GPA of 3.50.
The Honours thesis is offered as a year-long course but will still only count for a total of 15units. Detailed information on the Honours Thesis can be found in the linked document here.
PH4660 Independent Studies course is also optional. To register for PH4660, a student must obtain the agreement of a faculty member to supervise an approved topic of study. A written agreement between the student and supervisor must be submitted to the Head of Department for approval. The form of the agreement can be downloaded here.
PH4401 and PH4660 preclude each other (i.e. students are not allowed to enroll in both).
Academic Requirements for Second Majors
The requirements for the Philosophy Major depends on the student's cohort.
Note: Beginning from AY2015/2016, GEK1067/GET1029 Life, the Universe, and Everything replaces PH1102E Introduction to Philosophy as the Philosophy exposure course. Philosophy major students are not allowed to use either GEK1067 or GET1029 to fulfil GE or Unrestricted Electives outside student's major. As per the university’s guidelines, GE coded courses cannot be used to fulfill major requirements, the exception being GEK1067/GET1029 and GEM2006/GET1028.
GET1025/GEX1011, GET1026/GEX1012, GEM1004/GET1027, and GES1041/GESS1029 cannot be used to fulfil the PH major requirements.
With effect from Semester 1, AY2019-2020, PE2101P is recognised towards fulfilling the Second Major requirements in Philosophy for Cohort 2015 onwards. Students who read this course prior to Semester 1, AY2019-2020 can count the course towards these requirements.
Academic Requirements for Minors
Undergraduate students are always welcome to enroll in philosophy courses even if they do not lead to a major in philosophy. In general, level 1000 to 3000 courses are accessible to non-majors students (note that some courses may have pre-requisites), but level 4000 courses are normally restricted to majors unless permission is sought from the Department.
The requirements for the Philosophy Major depends on the student's cohort.
*Note: Courses which are cross-listed with PH courses can be used to satisfy the minor requirement. As per the university’s guidelines, GE coded courses cannot be used to fulfill minor requirements, the exception being GEK1067/GET1029.
GET1025/GEX1011, GEM1004/GET1027, GET1028/GEX1014, GET1026/GEX1012 and GES1041/GESS1029 cannot be used to fulfil the PH minor requirements.
For a small number of GEMs which are specially approved for inclusion in some FASS Major/Second Major/Minor requirements, students reading such GEMs can only count them to either the General Education requirements or the Major/Second Major/Minor requirements, but not both (i.e., no double counting is allowed). More information can also be found here.
With effect from Semester 1, AY2019-2020, PE2101P is recognised towards fulfilling the Minor requirements in Philosophy for Cohort 2015 onwards. Students who read this course prior to Semester 1, AY2019-2020 can count the course towards these requirements.