Please note:
To view the current Academic Calendar go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar.html
Philosophy and Humanities Joint Major
This joint major explores the relationship between the two disciplines. Students must plan their program in consultation with advisors in each department.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Humanities Lower Division Requirements
Students complete 15 units including
An introduction to issues and concepts central to the study of the Humanities. Through exposure to primary materials drawn from different periods and disciplines, students will become acquainted with a range of topics and ideas relating to the study of human values and human experience. Prerequisite: . Equivalent Courses: HUM101. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Niall Mackenzie |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Wed, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and one of
An introduction to the central myths of the Greeks and Romans. The course will investigate the nature, function, and meaning of myths in the classical world and their considerable influence on western civilization. Writing/Breadth-Humanities. Prerequisite: . Equivalent Courses: HUM102. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
Section | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|
Distance Education | ||
Distance Education |
A study of the many diverse peoples, languages, and regions of the European continent from the origins of civilization until the mid-16th century. Breadth-Humanities.
An introduction to concepts central to the academic study of religion exploring various relevant methodologies. Provides a framework for understanding the many ways in which humans experience the phenomenon of the sacred through symbol, ritual, doctrine and experience in a variety of religious traditions and cultures. Students who have taken HUM 230 prior to 2007 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities. Equivalent Courses: GS230 HUM230. Breadth-Humanities.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Jason Brown |
Distance Education |
and one of
An intensive study of some of the major works which have had a formative influence on the structure and development of western thought. Reading and discussion of primary texts and the major themes which emerge from them will introduce students to essential philosophical, literary, social, and religious themes of western civilization. Texts for this course will be drawn from the Ancient World, Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Prerequisite: 30 units. Breadth-Humanities.
An intensive study of some of the major works which have had a formative influence on the structure and development of western thought. Reading and discussion of primary texts and the major themes which emerge from them will introduce students to essential philosophical, literary, social and religious themes of western civilization. Texts for this course will be drawn from the 17th century through to the modern period. Prerequisite: 30 units. Breadth-Humanities.
An introduction to classic texts which have endured as monuments of Asian thought and literature. Readings and discussions of primary texts and their central ideas will introduce students to philosophical, literary and religious themes in a selected, major Asian tradition. Prerequisite: 30 units. Breadth-Humanities.
and two further lower division humanities courses.
Philosophy Lower Division Requirements
Students complete 12 units by completing all of
An introduction to some of the central problems of philosophy. Topics to be discussed include the different theories of reality; the nature and sources of knowledge, truth, evidence, and reason; the justification of belief and knowledge about the universe. These topics and problems will be considered as they arise in the context of issues such as: relativism versus absolutism; the existence of God; personal identity; the nature of the mind and its relation to the body; free will and determinism; the possibility of moral knowledge. Open to all students. Students with credit for PHIL 100 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Martin Hahn |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Tue, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
A critical examination of a range of moral and legal issues we confront in our dealings with the state and our fellow human beings, such as: Is it wrong to break the law? Should pornography and recreational drugs be illegal? Do animals have rights? Is there a duty to admit immigrants? Are there duties to the world's poor? Are indigenous peoples owed reparations? Students with credit for PHIL 120 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Chelsea Rosenthal |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D111 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D112 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D113 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
|
|
D114 |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
|
|
A thematic survey of some classical texts in the history of Western philosophy, from late Antiquity to the 19th century, including by figures such as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Descartes, de Gournay, Elisabeth of Bohemia, Spinoza, Leibniz, du Châtelet, Hume, Astell, Wollstonecraft, Kant, Mill, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and others. Themes may include the nature of the human being, the role of God in philosophical thought, conceptions of the good life, and others. Open to all students. Students with credit for PHIL 151 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Simon Pollon |
May 11 – Aug 10, 2020: Wed, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Humanities Upper Division Requirements
Students complete 20 units in upper division humanities courses.
Recommended
An exploration of the characteristic ways in which the humanities, with its emphasis on expression, belief and tradition, presents important philosophical concepts. Based upon an interdisciplinary selection of texts drawn from history, philosophy, literature and the arts. Prerequisite: 45 units. Breadth-Humanities.
A study of the counter-traditions within western civilization. Compares and contrasts diverse traditions within western culture that critique its central value systems. It will focus on the attempts of great artists and thinkers to break with tradition, and the subsequent creation of new ideas and forms of experience and expression. Prerequisite: 45 units. Breadth-Humanities.
Philosophy Upper Division Requirements
Twenty-one philosophy units are required.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Degree Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs, students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0
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 Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements 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
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.