Philosophy Honours
This program is for students who are capable of self-direction who wish to pursue advanced work in philosophy with the benefit of individual attention.
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements
Submit an honours program application (available in the department office), and consult the advisor.
Entering students must first complete 60 units including 12 upper division philosophy units, and must fulfil lower division requirements as listed below.
Normally a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) or higher in upper division philosophy courses is expected for entrance and continuance but does not by itself guarantee either.
Program Requirements
Students complete 132 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a total of at least 15 units, including one of
A survey of philosophic thought from late antiquity to the Renaissance. Special attention will be given to the works of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas. The views of these great thinkers have helped to shape the ways in which we see the world. This course is therefore recommended to everyone with an interest in our intellectual heritage. Open to all students. Breadth-Humanities.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Rosemary Twomey |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
William Barthelemy |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
A survey of philosophic thought from the Renaissance to the 20th Century. Special attention will be given to the works of Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, Hegel and Mill. The views of these great thinkers have helped to shape the ways in which we see the world. This course is therefore recommended to everyone with an interest in our intellectual heritage. Open to all students. Breadth-Humanities.
and one of
The aim of this course is to familiarize students with fundamental techniques of correct reasoning. Special attention is given to the methods of logic in particular, and to their role in the discovery of truth not only within science and philosophy but within all forms of rational enquiry. Open to all students. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Nicolas Fillion |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D111 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D112 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D113 |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
This course studies a natural deductive system of propositional and quantificational logic, the first-order theory of identity and the first-order theory of relations. Topics include the metatheory of propositional logic and the application of formal theory to the assessment of natural language arguments. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ray Jennings |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
and all of
A critical overview of recent accounts of the nature and scope of human knowledge and of justified or rational belief, and of philosophical issues that these accounts are intended to address. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 100W (or equivalent), 120W (or equivalent), 121, 144, 150, 151, or COGS 100. Students who have taken PHIL 301 cannot take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Philip Hanson |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
An examination of central problems of metaphysics such as space and time, universals and particulars, substance, identity and individuation and personal identity. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 100W (or equivalent), 120W (or equivalent), 121, 144, 150, 151, or COGS 100.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
David Heide |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
An examination of the major ethical theories, including deontology, consequentialism and virtue ethics. Applications of theses theories and related topics in value theory may also be discussed. Prerequisite: One of: PHIL 100W (or equivalent), PHIL 120W (or equivalent), PHIL 121, PHIL 144, PHIL 150 or PHIL 151.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Jennifer Warriner |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete at least 50 units, including one course at the 400 division, and at least one of
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in social and political philosophy. Contemporary or historical readings or a mixture of these will be used. Possible topics include: justice, the law and legal systems, sovereignty, power and authority, democracy, liberty and equality. Sometimes the course will focus on the views of historically important political philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Bentham, Mill and Marx. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120W (or equivalent), 121, 220, 221 or ENV 320W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Black |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An advanced investigation of central issues and theories in moral philosophy. In any given term, the course may focus on a general theory or concept or concern, for example meta-ethics, utilitarianism, or theories of rights. Sometimes it will focus on a particular problem or problems, such as medical ethics, moral personhood, or free will and moral responsibility. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120W (or equivalent), 121, 220, 221 or ENV 320W.
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in the history of moral or political philosophy. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, and Kant. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120W (or equivalent), 121, 150, 151, 220 or 221.
A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in normative or meta-ethics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: two 300 level PHIL courses; it is strongly recommended that students have taken some prior course in moral theory. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Evan Tiffany |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and at least one of
An exploration of philosophical issues concerning, e.g.: causation, time, modality, or the self; the realism/nominalism or realism/idealism debate; relativism; the concept of truth; naturalized epistemology; global epistemological skepticism or perhaps a 'local' form of skepticism such as skepticism about induction or about sensory belief. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: PHIL 201 or 203.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Philip Hanson |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
A study of the nature of scientific enquiry, classificatory systems, laws and theories, the role of observation in science, the demarcation between science and non-science, causality, the status of theoretical constructs, and teleological explanation. Prerequisite: Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100W (or equivalent) and COGS 200.
and at least two of
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in the history of moral or political philosophy. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, and Kant. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120W (or equivalent), 121, 150, 151, 220 or 221.
An examination of some central issues in 17th century philosophy. Themes may include: changing theories of causation, of the mind, and of the relation between mind and world. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Descartes, Elisabeth of Bohemia, Malebranche, Spinoza, Leibniz, and Locke. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 100W (or equivalent) or 151. Students who have completed PHIL 353 or PHIL 354 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.
An examination of some central issues of 18th century philosophy. Themes may include the development of the theory of ideas and epistemology associated with it. The primary focus may include important figures such as Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Condillac. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 100W (or equivalent) or 151. Students with credit for PHIL 355 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
David Heide |
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
An examination of some major figures in 19th century philosophy. Themes may include German idealism and romanticism, British idealism, positivism and American pragmatism; studied figures may include Schopenhauer, Fichte, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Comte, Kierkegaard, Brentano,Meinong, Mill, Pierce and James, depending on theme. Prerequisite: PHIL 100W (or equivalent) or 151.
In addition, honours students complete the following two honours tutorial courses. To enroll in an honours tutorial, an honours student must prepare, in consultation with the proposed faculty supervisor, a document (normally one page or less) summarizing the topic and content of the tutorial and submit it to the Undergraduate Curriculum Chair for approval. Tutorials are usually approved only after the student is prepared for rigorous independent study by having completed sufficient upper-division coursework.
Tutorials offer sufficient time to examine in-depth several philosophical topics in a general area such as ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, etc. The honours candidate must achieve a grade of B or higher in each honours tutorial to receive the honours degree.
At least eight weeks prior to the term in which they wish to enrol in PHIL 477, honours students should arrange for faculty supervision of the course and arrange for departmental approval of a proposed syllabus. Open only to honours students. PHIL 477 is a requisite for all honours students. It must be taken concurrently with or prior to PHIL 478.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
(Faculty supervisor) Faculty |
TBD |
At least eight weeks prior to the term in which they wish to enrol in PHIL 478, honours students should arrange for faculty supervision of the course and arrange for departmental approval of a proposed syllabus. Open only to honours students. Prerequisite: PHIL 478 is a requisite for all honours students. It must be taken concurrently with or consecutively to PHIL 477.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
(Faculty supervisor) Faculty |
TBD |
* unless counted as a history stream requirement
Seminars and Special Topics Courses
A student may not enrol in a philosophy seminar or selected topics course which duplicates work for which the student has received credit in another philosophy seminar or special topics course.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Honours Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) honours programs, students complete 132 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- students complete at least 60 upper division units, which must include at least 50 units in upper division courses in a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program; no more than 15 upper division units that have been transferred from another institution can be used toward this requirement
- Students complete lower division requirements for at least one Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program
- students are required to achieve an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0, and an honours program CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.