Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Arts
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Philosophers are typically concerned with very general and basic questions about the nature of the universe, how we have knowledge of it, the place of human beings in it, and the value of human life. For example, does God exist? Is everything in the world made of matter? Do human beings possess freewill? Do statements about good and bad, right and wrong, report objective truths which can be known? Many philosophers hope to construct a sympathetic world view. Others find such a project too ambitious, and limit themselves to the study of particular problems.
A philosophical background can be very helpful in professions whose members often have to wrestle with philosophical issues. For example, many areas of medicine raise increasingly pressing problems in bioethics - concerning abortion, euthanasia, the selection of patients for organ transplants and so on. Politicians, public servants and lawyers with some knowledge of philosophy have access to intellectual resources provided by philosophers not only on foundational problems concerning justice, law and politics, but also on topical issues about sexism, compensation of people for injustices suffered by their ancestors, or obligations to future generations, and a host of other matters. There is solid evidence that philosophy graduates are well favoured by employers, who value their capacity for rigorous thought, clear expression, and creative approaches to problems.
There are no specific prerequisites for entry into Philosophy. The normal prerequisite for entry to second or third-year Philosophy is completion of at least one single-semester Philosophy subject at first-year level. Students are advised to consult individual subject prerequisites for further information. Students should note that no subject passed at second-year may be taken at third-year level. The Philosophy Departmental Handbook (available from the Philosophy Office) provides further details about Philosophy subjects.
A major in Philosophy requires the completion of a minimum of five Philosophy subjects at second or third-year level, totalling 83.3 points.
All students wishing to enter the Pure Honours degree course in Philosophy must seek the advice of the Department's Honours Advisor in planning their courses.
Students may not proceed to fourth-year honours unless they have met all the requirements for a major in Philosophy, and have completed all the requirements for the B. A. pass degree. In the case of combined honours, students must complete a major in each area of study.
The normal level required for admission to fourth-year honours is an average of H2A or better over the best five Philosophy post-first-year single-semester subjects. In exceptional circumstances, an average of H2B may be accepted. Students interested in this possibility should consult the Head of Department or the department's Honours Advisor.
Students proposing to enter fourth-year honours will be required to achieve some spread over their second/third-year subjects. Information as to how this is achieved can be found in the Departmental Handbook or by consulting the Head of Department or the department's Honours Advisor. No subjects are compulsory, but prospective honours students are strongly advised to take the subject 161-316, Themes in 20th Century Philosophy, a course specially intended for aspiring fourth-year students.
Students enrolled in fourth-year Philosophy honours must achieve honours in each assessable component. Not all the subjects listed will be available in any one year; students should consult the Departmental Handbook for further details.
Pure Honours: students enrolled full-time are required to complete six fourth-year single-semester subjects (each worth 11.1 credit points), plus 161-449 Philosophy Honours Thesis (worth 33.3 credit points).
Part-time Pure Honours: students complete three fourth-year single-semester subjects in each of the two successive years plus 161-449 Philosophy Honours Thesis in one of the part-time years.
Combined Honours: students complete three fourth-year single-semester Philosophy subjects, plus a thesis in Philosophy (161-449) or in the combining subject.
Note: The Philosophy Honours Thesis must be submitted in typewritten form by the beginning of the examination term (normally the end of October). The topic of research must be approved by the Head of Department or the department's Honours Advisor. Topics will only be approved if the Philosophy Department can provide two examiners for the topic. Late theses will not be accepted unless an extension has been granted by the Head of Department.
Philosophy Honours: Directed Studies provides the opportunity for honours students in other departments to include philosophy subjects in their final year. See entry for 161-430 under Fourth-Year Honours subjects, later in this section.
A degree in Philosophy leads to a wide range of opportunities. Some philosophers become academics and our graduates are to be found in University positions all over the world. By far the majority work outside academic philosophy. The Department has a booklet in which a range of our graduates, from the arts, law, politics, publishing, the diplomatic service and the public service generally, say how philosophy has helped them in their careers. Here are some extracts:
'Philosophy hones one's theoretical and analytical skills in a way no other discipline does. In my study of philosophy I learnt how to reason and argue. This skill has been invaluable. ' (Tax manager of one of the 'big 6' accountancy firms)
'I got my PR job . . because I had done philosophy. Only philosophy can give you both the analytical skills and the ability to see the broader picture. ' (Media secretary to a SA Government Minister)
'In a competitive world, philosophy allows you to function as a superb fighting instrument. It equips you with a very sharp set of cerebral scalpels. ' (Playwright, screen writer, and film-maker)
For Further Information please contact:
Department of Philosophy
The University of Melbourne
telephone: (03) 93445142
fax: (03) 9344 4280
e-mail: office@philosophy. unimelb. edu. au
Not all the subjects listed here will be available in any one year; students should consult the Departmental Handbook for further details.
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Arts
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 10 1995 Last modified: Oct 10 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Faculty of Arts
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.