Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy qualification is to equip learners with the necessary skills to engage in the more autonomous, higher level research activities required at a Master of Arts level, with a view to progressing towards Doctor of Philosophy level, which is a prerequisite for higher level academic appointments. A secondary purpose is to enable learners to implement transferable research and critical thinking skills that are vital in an employment environment where flexible, innovative thinking is important.

Learners who exit academia having successfully completed an Honours qualification in Philosophy would be equipped with transferrable skills that will enable them to engage in a transformative and flexible matter in diverse settings.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy will produce graduates with the necessary attributes to enter into tertiary level teaching and research positions, as well as leadership positions that require the capacity for strategic planning and ethical guidance.

It is expected that the majority of Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy Honours graduates will enter a Master of Arts in Philosophy qualification with a view to progressing towards Doctor of Philosophy level.

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy graduates are found working for almost every type of employer in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. They work in NGO's, the Civil Service and for advertising, marketing and public relations agencies. The investment banking industry and legal sector prove popular choices, as do publishing firms, charities and recruitment agencies.

The rationale for developing a Philosophy Honours qualification is to replace the existing Philosophy Honours qualification. The existing qualification lacks a research component, does not deepen philosophical knowledge and does not incorporate research writing skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Institution's RPL policy will be adhered to in all cases. In addition, the following criteria will be utilised if candidates do not meet the formal requirements Degree:

Applicants must provide a portfolio containing sufficient evidence of written material, produced independently. This material must meet with the following academic criteria at a level equivalent to Level 7. The applicant must:

• Have a basic, general philosophical knowledge base in the branches of philosophy sufficient to enable them to raise pertinent epistemological, metaphysical, ethical, aesthetic and political questions about issues, artefacts, texts and events (focusing on what is local and contemporary).
• Have developed a sufficient, preliminary level of research related skills, to provide a foundation for developing higher level skills in sourcing and critique of relevant information efficiently and independently.
• Have developed a sufficient level of analytical skill to provide a foundation for developing higher level skills in identifying, reconstructing and criticizing arguments in philosophical texts through close reading and careful conceptual analysis, as well as selecting appropriate philosophical frameworks to interpret events.
• Have developed a sufficient level of skill in academic writing to provide a foundation for developing higher level skills in building extended arguments and communicating insights effectively through academic writing.
• Have developed a sufficient level of confidence to provide a foundation for developing higher level skills in presenting a philosophical position orally and engage in critical debate.

The final decision on whether or not the portfolio material meets with the above criteria will be determined by a committee of discipline-based experts. In addition, applicants are advised that they may be interviewed, where they will be required to present their work.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirements are

• An appropriate Bachelor's Degree, Level 7.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 8, totalling 130 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 105 Credits

• Philosophical Research in a Complexity Paradigm, 25 Credits.
• Great Philosophical Texts, 25 Credits.
• Poststructuralist Philosophy, 25 Credits.
• Philosophical Treatis, 30 Credits.

Electives Modules (Choose one), Level 8, 25 Credits

• Cinema and Transgression, 25 Credits.
• Culture, Philosophy and the Environment, 25 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

• Develop pertinent philosophical questions about issues, artifacts, texts and events (focusing on what is local and contemporary).
• Source relevant qualitative and/or quantitative information efficiently and independently.
• Outline and critique specific arguments in philosophical texts through close reading and careful conceptual analysis.
• Select appropriate philosophical frameworks or models to interpret issues, artifacts, texts and events.
• Assess and modify philosophical frameworks through their application and through critical discussion.
• Produce clear, coherent arguments that defend a philosophical interpretation.
• Communicate insights effectively through academic writing.
• Present a philosophical position orally and engage in critical debate.

The Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to the Exit Level Outcomes.

• Raise pertinence of the research questions.
• Consult a number of and quality of sources.
• Reflect a level of comprehension by accurately reconstructing philosophical arguments.
• Compare, contrast, select, apply, and critically evaluate philosophical frameworks.
• Participate in coherent and relevant arguments.
• Comply with general criteria pertaining to academic writing.
• Present orally a coherent, concise account of main points and enter into critical debate.

Integrated Assessment

All the modules in the qualification will be evaluated through both formative and summative assessments.

Two formative assessments will take place

One extended essay (per relevant module) of 6000 words, guided and assessed by the responsible academic staff and awarded marks. The module lecturer may decide to divide this assessment into smaller units, or offer one assessment of the final product.

One oral presentation in which learners present and debate in a seminar setting ideas developed in relation to the extended essay. These assessments are used to give on-going and formal feedback on performance to learners. These formative assessments are intended to prepare learners for the summative assessment.

The summative assessment consists of a formal written exam (per relevant module)

Final mark assessment is based on a 50/50 proportional ratio of the class mark to the exam mark. Formal written exams are externally moderated by discipline experts based at universities elsewhere in the country. At least 10% of the scripts or a minimum of 20 scripts are moderated.

The 30-credit Philosophical Treatise will be evaluated through two formative assessments and a summative assessment. Formal assessment from the treatise supervisor will be offered on the treatise proposal.

The treatise construction will be guided by the responsible academic staff. The first draft of the treatise will be awarded a mark. These assessments are used to give on-going and formal feedback on performance to learners. The final treatise will be externally examined by discipline experts based at universities elsewhere in the country.

Final mark assessment is based on a 50/50 proportional ratio of the class mark (Proposal 20% and first draft 30%) to the final treatise mark (50%).

In the case of all modules, independent external moderation from discipline experts based at universities elsewhere in the country is obligatory.

Contact forms a major part of the teaching strategy in this qualification, which includes diverse activities such as formal classroom lectures, seminar participation, and independent reading group discussion.