PROGRAM RECOGNITIONS

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The civil Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy program is administered in the Faculty of Arts and Letters, and the curriculum is divided into five course categories:

— General Education Courses (subdivided into basic courses and service courses);

— Core Subjects;

— Major Subjects;

— Seminar Courses; and

— Research Course

The program is designed to help students achieve the following outcomes:
1. The ability to demonstrate critical thinking and ethical consciousness. The teaching of “General Education Courses” (or “Service Courses” to non-philosophy majors) will introduce philosophy students to the basic philosophical branches and sub-branches, to develop their critical reasoning skills, and make them cognizant of socio-politico-ethical issues relevant to human beings and society.

2. The ability to critically assess and articulate various philosophical positions or theories. The teaching of “Core Subjects” and “Major Subjects” to philosophy students will familiarize them with philosophical issues, from the most rudimentary to the most complex, gleaned from the various traditions in the global history of philosophy (East and West). Through this, students will be firmly grounded in the various complex philosophical debates which, in turn, become the foundation of comparison, criticism, and defense of these philosophical theories.

3. The ability to contribute to the development of philosophical discourse. It is the ultimate aim of the AB Philosophy program to instill the value of philosophical research among the students. With a comprehensive mastery of various philosophical theories, students are guided by mentors to explore and foster key areas of strength of the Department (Eastern Philosophy, East-West Comparative Philosophy, Thomism and Scholasticism, and European Philosophy). Philosophy students are exposed to more complex philosophical issues and new philosophical trends via “Seminar Courses.” Moreover, as a final requirement of the program, students contribute to the exploration and fostering of these key areas of strength by conducting and submitting their own research through “Research Courses.” This training will then prepare the students for graduate studies in philosophy.
4.Preparedness in other professional areas and industries. In addition to intensive training in key areas of strength of the Department and in philosophical research, it is an important aim of the AB Philosophy program to prepare its students for other professions, such as religious, legal, and government, inter alia.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM