Honours in Philosophy

Honours in Philosophy will develop high-level research skills and an ability to analyse and construct arguments, deepen your knowledge of the history of philosophy, as well as broaden and integrate your understanding of the sub-fields of philosophy. The honours seminars are designed to build on the understanding and knowledge of topics and historical figures that you encountered in your undergraduate study. You will also become familiar with cutting-edge, contemporary work in philosophy, which you have only a limited opportunity to explore at undergraduate level.

Outcomes: Students are able to (1) strengthen generic intellectual skills such as analysing and critically assessing arguments, constructing and expressing their own arguments, constructing and expressing explanations of phenomena; (2) develop a critical understanding of the core issues in key areas of philosophy including metaphysics, the philosophy of mind, metaethics, social and political philosophy, analytic philosophy, and the history of philosophy; (3) develop public speaking and professional presentation skills; (4) develop critical writing skills; and (5) develop core research skills in preparation for research oriented postgraduate work and/or research oriented work outside of the academy.

Entry requirements: the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 75 per cent in the Level 3 units of the Philosophy major.

Intake periods: Beginning of year and mid-year

Honours sequence

Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2019

Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2020 or 2021.

Take all units (24 points):
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit rules
S1, S2PHIL4140Thesis 1
Prerequisites:
sufficient units to complete a bachelor's degree with a major in Philosophy
S1, S2PHIL4141Thesis 2
Prerequisites:
PHIL4140 Thesis 1
Take unit(s) to the value of 24 points:
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit rules
S2PHIL4101Advanced Moral Philosophy
Prerequisites:
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
N/APHIL4102Topics in Social and Political Philosophy
Prerequisites:
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
S2PHIL4103Consciousness
Prerequisites:
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
S1PHIL4104Advanced Metaphysics
Prerequisites:
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
N/APHIL4105Topics in the History of Philosophy
Prerequisites:
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
N/APHIL4106Analytic Philosophy
Prerequisites:
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
S1PHIL4107Metaethics
Prerequisites:
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation