¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

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| ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar | Summer 2023

Philosophy Honours

Bachelor of Arts

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 the following 15 units by taking all of

PHIL 110 - Introduction to Logic and Reasoning (3)

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
May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Mon, Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Mon, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Mon, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Mon, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D107 May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D108 May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
PHIL 150 - Great Works in the History of Philosophy (3)

A survey of some classic texts in the history of philosophy. See the course outline for more detail on the specific figures and themes covered. Open to all students. Students with credit for PHIL 151 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

PHIL 201 - Epistemology (3)

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 100, 100W, 120, 120W, 121, 144, 150, 151, 300, or COGS 100. Students who have taken PHIL 301 cannot take this course for further credit.

PHIL 203 - Metaphysics (3)

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 100, 100W, 120, 120W, 121, 144, 150, 151, 300, or COGS 100.

PHIL 221 - Ethical Theory (3)

An examination of the major ethical theories, including deontology, consequentialism and virtue ethics. Applications of these theories and related topics in value theory may also be discussed. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 100, 100W, 120, 120W, 121, 144, 150, 151, or 300.

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete at least 50 philosophy upper division units, with a minimum philosophy cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 and philosophy upper division grade point average (UDGPA) of 3.5 (calculated on all ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV PHIL courses), including one course at the 400 division, and at least one of

PHIL 320 - Social and Political Philosophy (3)

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 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.

PHIL 321 - Topics in Moral Philosophy (3)

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 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Michaela Lucas
May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
PHIL 322 - History of Ethics (3) *

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 120, 120W, 121, 150, 151, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.

PHIL 326 - Topics in Law and Philosophy (3)

Explores in detail classic problems in the law using the methods and resources of philosophy. Topics may include: problems in professional ethics facing lawyers; philosophical issues in international law and human rights; constitutional interpretation and the philosophy of language; the assessment of evidence and formal epistemology; the intellectual origins of the theory of natural law and natural rights; or others. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.

PHIL 329 - Law and Justice (3)

Explores in detail the relationship between the law and theories of justice. Topics range over: the philosophy of punishment, theories of moral responsibility, charter equality rights, and theories of distributive justice. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W. Students with credit for PHIL 333 in Spring 2016 cannot take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Evan Tiffany
May 8 – Jun 19, 2023: Tue, Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
B101 TBD
PHIL 421W - Advanced Topics in Ethical Theory (4)

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.

and at least one of

PHIL 302 - Topics in Epistemology and Metaphysics (3)

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.

PHIL 341 - Philosophy of Science (3)

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 100, 100W, or 300, and COGS 200.

PHIL 343 - Topics in the Philosophy of Mind (3)

A study of theories of the mind, consciousness, and human action. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100, 100W, or 300, and COGS 200.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Simon Pollon
May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
PHIL 344 - Topics in the Philosophy of Language (3)

An introduction to the major philosophic theories of language. Topics to be considered include the relationship between language and mind, language and the world, language and society. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100, 100W, or 300, and COGS 200.

PHIL 345W - Philosophy of Mathematics (3)

Examines central philosophical issues related to mathematics. Topics may include the metaphysical status of mathematical entities, mathematical knowledge, set theory and others. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 110, 210, 314, 315 or MACM 101. Writing.

PHIL 455W - Contemporary Issues in Epistemology and Metaphysics (4)

May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Two 300-division PHIL courses. Writing.

and at least two of

PHIL 322 - History of Ethics (3)

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 120, 120W, 121, 150, 151, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.

PHIL 350 - Ancient Philosophy (3)

Examines central philosophical themes and figures in ancient philosophy. Topics may include justice, knowledge, the good life, time, change, appearance and reality, the nature of God, and others. Historical readings will be the central focus and may include works by Plato, Aristotle, Thales, Anaximander, Pythagoras, Parmenides and others. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315).

PHIL 352 - 17th Century Philosophy (3)

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 prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315). Students who have completed PHIL 353 or PHIL 354 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
David Heide
May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
PHIL 356 - 18th Century Philosophy (3)

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 prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315). Students with credit for PHIL 355 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.

PHIL 357 - Topics in the History of Philosophy (3)

May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315).

PHIL 358 - 19th Century Philosophy (3)

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, Peirce and James, depending on theme. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315).

PHIL 451W - Advanced Topics in the History of Philosophy (4)

May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Two 300-level PHIL courses. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
David Heide
May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Thu, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
Vancouver

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.

PHIL 477 - Honours Tutorial I (5)

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
TBD
PHIL 478 - Honours Tutorial II (5)

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
TBD

PHIL 300 may not be used to satisfy the upper division requirements of this program.

* unless counted as a history stream requirement

Seminars and Special Topics Courses

A student may not enroll 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 Degree Requirements

For the bachelor of arts (BA) in philosophy honours program, 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
  • at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
  • 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 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.

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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.