Last updated: March 20, 2003 @ 06:56PM

Philosophy

Chair
R. Raj Singh

Professors Emeriti
J. R. A. Mayer, Debabrata Sinha

Professors
David L. Goicoechea, R. Raj Singh

Associate Professors
Richard S. G. Brown, Wing-Cheuk Chan, Robert W. Malone, Murray L. Miles, Hans-Georg Moeller, George J. Nathan

General Information

Administrative Assistant
Irene Cherrington

905-688-5550, extension 3315
Schmon Tower 1128
http://www.brocku.ca/philosophy/

Philosophy, defined as the pursuit of wisdom, encompasses the exploration of the nature of reality, consciousness, values, knowledge, reason, argument and evidence. At Brock the undergraduate student studies not only the primary texts of the Western philosophical tradition, but also major texts of Indian and Chinese thought. Students are encouraged to investigate critically and dialectically their own views and values.

Language Requirement for Humanities Majors

PHIL majors must complete a credit in one language other than English (classical or modern), within the first 10 credits. Where half credit courses are used to satisfy the requirements, both half credits must be in the same language.

Program Notes
  1. All courses numbered 1F90 through 1F94 are introductory PHIL courses. Though different in content and emphasis, PHIL 1F91, 1F93 and 1F94 are no more advanced than 1F90. Normally a student will not be permitted to take more than one introductory course.
  2. Students may take courses from PHIL 2P00, 2P01, 2P02, 2P03, 2P12, 2P13, 2P17 to fulfil this requirement.
  3. Some year 4 courses will be offered conjointly with a correspondingly numbered year 5 (graduate level) course.
  4. Although all year 4 level courses are intended for fourth-year PHIL honours majors, students at the year 3 level may take the equivalent of one year 4 credit if they have obtained second-class honours standing or with the permission of the department. No undergraduate student may take more than one credit in the form of honours tutorials.
  5. In all 20 credit degree programs, at least 12 credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, six of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and of these, three must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above. In all 15 credit degree programs, at least seven credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, three of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above.

Honours Program

Year 1
·   One of PHIL 1F90, 1F91, 1F93, 1F94 (see program note 1)
·   one Science context credit
·   one Social Science context credit
·   two elective credits (see language requirement)
Year 2
·   PHIL 2P00 or 2P01
·   PHIL 2P02 or 2P03
·   one of PHIL 2P12, 2P13, 2P17
·   one and one-half PHIL credits (see program note 2)
·   two elective credits, one of which must be approved by the department
Year 3
·   Three PHIL credits
·   two elective credits, one of which must be approved by the department
Year 4
·   PHIL 4P20 or 4P21
·   two and one-half PHIL credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   two elective credits, of which one must be approved by the department

Pass Program

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Combined Major Program

Honours
·   One credit from PHIL 1F90, 1F91, 1F93, 1F94 (see program note 1)
·   PHIL 2P00 or 2P01
·   PHIL 2P02 or 2P03
·   one of PHIL 2P12, 2P13, 2P17
·   PHIL 4P20 or 4P21
·   one and one-half PHIL credits (see program note 2)
·   two and one-half PHIL credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
Pass
·   PHIL 2P00 or 2P01
·   PHIL 2P02 or 2P03
·   one of PHIL 2P12, 2P13, 2P17
·   two and one-half PHIL credits (see program notes 2 and 4)

Master of Arts (MA) Program

A master's program is offered, focussing on two areas: recent and contemporary European thought and Asian (especially Indian) thought. Candidates should have an honours BA in philosophy; those with a pass BA in philosophy or a degree in another discipline will be required to take additional courses. Students may choose either to complete two credits and write a thesis or to complete four credits and write a major essay.

Graduate credits are to be obtained by completing courses designated at the 5(alpha)00 level. A course previously taken for 4(alpha)00 level credit may not be retaken for graduate credit.