Philosophy & Ethics

BA Single Honours Philosophy, Ethics & Religion* / BA Combined Honours

Why study Philosophy & Ethics at Hope?

• We explore central questions about what is valuable, what is true and how we ought to act. What does it mean to be a ‘person’? Can we ever know anything with certainty? What would it mean to lead a ‘good’ life?
• We encourage you to think deeply about important issues, and to relate theoretical ideas to ‘real life’ concerns. For example, is there such a thing as ‘human rights’, and what implications might this have for state treatment of asylum seekers?
• You will develop powers of critical reasoning and decision making. Philosophy encourages independent thought. As one major philosopher, Immanuel Kant, said, “Dare to think!”

What will I study?

Level 1

You will study the foundation course Explorations in Philosophy and Ethics. We introduce you to key ideas and methods in Philosophy and Ethics. Single Honours students will also study the foundation course Approaching Religious and Theological Traditions.

Level 2

There are two key areas which are developed at this stage. These are Philosophy of Religion and Social and Political Ethics.

Typical issues under discussion are:

• Ethical and Political Philosophy – What is the relationship between political authority and personal freedom? What are our rights, and what are our responsibilities? Can terrorism ever be justified?
• Themes in the Philosophy of Religion – Can the existence of God be reconciled with the presence of suffering in the world? Does it make sense to talk of ‘life after death’?
• Key Thinkers in Moral Philosophy – What do major philosophers have to say about ethics and morality?

Single Honours students will also consider Religious Aesthetics and Sociology of Religion or choose to study a World Religions option.

Level 3

At this level the focus from Level 2 is continued, but this is given a particular direction from the field of Continental Philosophy.

Typical issues under discussion are:

• Faith, Reason and Postmodernity - What do contemporary theorists have to say about the nature of belief and how knowledge is constructed?
• Ethics and Personhood - How do philosophers construct models of identity? What are the ethical duties and rights of persons? How does this debate engage with the question of what constitutes a subject?
• Dissertation – 8,000 word independent study

Single Honours students will also have the opportunity to study Metaphysics, Science and Religion or another Religions option.

How will I study?

Your learning is supported through class exercises using case studies and textual analysis, as well as through student presentations, seminar discussion and lectures. You have opportunities to practise your philosophical skills, and you receive individual feedback from tutors on your written work.

How will I be assessed?

Philosophy & Ethics uses a variety of assessment methods to test a range of knowledge and skills acquired during the programme. These include text analysis, individual and group presentations, case studies assessing contemporary scenarios using ethical perspectives, essays and examinations.

What do our graduates do?

Graduates in Philosophy & Ethics are sought after in a variety of professions where skills in ethical reasoning, clear thinking and expression are valued. These include the media, journalism, the civil service, business, the public sector and education.

Many graduates move on to Masters-level study or doctoral research, or train to teach in schools.

*subject to validation