Breadth Studies in Philosophy
Breadth study is a key feature of the Melbourne Model. Students in all of the New Generation degrees are required to undertake 75 points of breadth study.
Most subjects in Philosophy are available as breadth. The one exception is the third year capstone subject, 'What is Philosophy?', which is limited to those students who are completing a major in Philosophy. Apart from this one subject, all of our other subjects may be taken for breadth by students from outside the BA.
In addition to a range of subjects offered within the discipline of Philosophy, members of the Philosophy programme contribute to the University Breadth subject, Logic: Language and Information, as well as several of the Arts Faculty’s Interdisciplinary Foundation subjects, which may be taken as breadth: 'Politics, Philosophy and Economics'; 'Democracy'; and 'Understanding Asia'.
Given the range of subjects available in Philosophy,
students from all of the undergraduate degree programs offered at the University
will be able to find something that suits their interests.
The following outline provides a few suggestions how just some of the subjects offered in Philosophy can be used to complement your degree or to satisfy your personal interests.
For details about any of these subjects, or to view the complete list of subjects visit Philosophy Subjects Offered in 2010
Our first year subjects, 'Philosophical Issues' and 'Great Ideas in Philosophy' introduce students to a range of topics in philosophy.
In later years, students have the opportunity to study specific topics in greater depth. Just some (but not all) of the possibilities are as follows:
Science students may benefit from taking a class in the philosophy of science, such as 'Science, Reason and Reality'.
If you are a student of mathematics or engineering, you might enjoy one of the logic subjects, such as the University breadth subject 'Logic: Language and Information' or 'Logic: Completeness and Incompleteness'.
Are you are studying biomedical science? A class in applied ethics such as 'Biomedical Ethics' could be interesting.
Commerce students might consider taking a class in ethics or political philosophy, such as 'Great Thinkers in Moral Philosophy' or 'Political Philosophy'.
The same subjects might be of interest to students in the Bachelor of Environments.
Music students might like 'Aesthetics' or perhaps 'From Hermeneutics to Derrida'.
Of course, these are only suggestions. There are many other options from which to choose. In addition to subjects in the Philosophy programme, we’d like to draw your attention to other breadth opportunities in the School of Philosophy, Anthropology and Social Inquiry, such as Anthropology and Social Theory, Development Studies, Gender Studies and History and Philosophy of Science.
For further information relating to breadth study, please see the University Breadth Studies information site.