Search form

Minor Philosophy

The objectives of a Philosophy minor are varied, and may be divided into at least two types.

Type 1. To deepen understanding of the major. In particular, to provide an understanding of the philosophical foundations of the major, or any philosophical issues arising from the major. For example, a major in economics who is also interested in the ethical issues arising from economics would be well-advised to take the courses Ethics and Philosophy and Economics. A science or mathematics major interested in the philosophical aspects of the subjects could take Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Mathematics and, Metaphysics and Epistemology.

Type 2. To enable students to pursue their intellectual interest in philosophy systematically and/or to pursue this interest at the graduate level without being at a significant disadvantage relative to those colleagues who have a major in philosophy.  The minor will aim to hone these students' philosophical skills and familiarity with key questions and debates in the philosophical area of their interest such as, ethics, logic, met and epistemology and so on.

Structure

 

Philosophy

1.      PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy OR PHIL 102 Philosophy Gym

2.      PHIL 130 Logic and Critical Reasoning

In addition, meeting either of the two types of objectives for the Philosophy minor, the students' choice of the rest of the four courses will be made in accordance with the following specifications.

Students whose aim is Type 1 may, in consultation with the stream coordinator, choose any four philosophy courses including at least two courses that are pitched at level 300 or higher.    

  • Students whose aim is Type 2 may pick four courses from any of the following recommended course groups. They must ensure that at least two of their courses are at level 300 or higher.

·         Applied Ethics: Moral Philosophy/Ethics; Applied Ethics; Religion and Science; Philosophy and Economics; any other course with the coordinator's approval.

·         Ethical Theory: Moral Philosophy/Ethics; Metaethics; Philosophy of Language; Knowledge and Reality; Philosophy and Economics; any other course with the coordinator's approval

·         Logic and Language: Philosophy of Language; Philosophical Logic; Formal Logic; Analytic Philosophy;  Philosophy of Wittgenstein; any other course with the coordinator's approval

·         Epistemology and Metaphysics: Philosophy of Language; Knowledge and Reality; History of Western Philosophy OR Plato and Aristotle; Philosophy of Science/Philosophy of Social Science; Philosophy of Mind; any other course with the coordinator's approval.

·         Political Philosophy: Western Political Philosophy; Moral Philosophy/Ethics; Applied Ethics; Metaethics; Political Economy; Democracy and Difference; any other course with the coordinator's approval.