Course summary

Overview Our philosophy degree is a great opportunity to explore fundamental questions – about the nature of the good, human and animal minds, the nature of religious belief, and the place of humans in the universe. Discover how the great thinkers of the past imagined the world and how their radical ideas might still be of the greatest relevance today. Find out how studying philosophy at university can help you tackle current issues – climate justice, conspiracy theories, and uncertainty in a ‘post-truth’ world. Studying philosophy at university is one of the most satisfying ways to spend your student years. It can be life-changing, as it prompts you to reflect on your values and your contribution to the wider world. If you want to ask difficult questions and challenge the things that others take for granted, this degree is most certainly for you. About A Philosophy degree is a great choice for independent thinkers, and – beyond studying it for its own sake – it will help you prepare for any number of careers that involve asking questions, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions and communicating your arguments and creative solutions to complex problems, such as law, politics, journalism, and even advertising. You don’t need to have studied Philosophy before joining our philosophy degree programme. Your studies will begin with carefully designed introductory modules, which lay the foundations across all fields. You'll be given the chance to discover the debates and questions which interest you most and where you can make a difference. You’ll study contemporary thinkers as well as those from the past, grapple with puzzles about ethics, God and religion, about the mind, and about language and how it relates to the world. What is there? How do we know? Does science have all the answers? What if there is a God? When, if ever, has anyone found the answers to these questions? These are just a few of the questions you’ll investigate. You can explore the philosophies of the non-Western world, engage with urgent political or environmental issues, and examine how the great ideas in literature stem from broader philosophical worldviews. You'll be guided in your journey by a team of dedicated scholars who are currently engaged in exciting research across all these humanities fields. You can build your own tailored studies through your second and third years, when you’ll have an open choice of philosophy themes to follow. Examples include environmental philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of language, ethics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, logic, philosophy of art, and various opportunities to study the work of ancient and modern thinkers including some non-Western philosophy. In your final year, you might choose to undertake a one-to-one dissertation or enrol for a small group special subject. Philosophy thrives on discussion. That is why you'll explore and debate topics with your lecturers and fellow students in small discussion groups – as well as through lectures and independent study. You’ll also develop your thinking and communication skills through a variety of types of written work and exercises, some for practice, some for assessment. Throughout your time studying philosophy at university, you'll work in close partnership with UEA’s lecturers and professors, who have produced work that is discussed worldwide. You'll be encouraged to find your own voice and articulate the ideas that will have the potential to change lives, starting with your own. On BA Philosophy with a Placement Year, you'll normally spend 9-12 months of your third year in a placement, gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. Disclaimer Course details are subject to change. You should always confirm the details on the provider's website: www.uea.ac.uk