Contrary to popular belief, Philosophy degrees are not just about sitting and wondering about the meaning of life. This type of degree gives students a wider perspective about how to tackle different issues – thus preparing them for the outside world.
Philosophy degrees are shaped in such a way that encourages candidates to make use of logic and ethics for the in-depth study of fundamental issues.
Therefore, Philosophy enhances interpretive, analytical, imaginative, critical, and communicative skills. Candidates will acquire intellectual capacities which are of utmost importance for self-fulfilment and active participation in public life. In addition, they will experience success in a wide range of careers, such as law, business, education, journalism, and so on.
The essential benefit gained from having a Philosophy degree is the mindset you acquire. Graduates learn how to constructively tackle major problems and come up with the best solutions.
Studies have shown that Philosophy is one of the most sought-after majors in Humanities in the market place. Why? The answer lies in the creative mindset and set of transferable skills that can be applied in various areas of expertise, not only Philosophy. What employers appreciate about Philosophy graduates is their problem-solving and thinking skills as well as their organised way of laying out information.
Last, but not least, those who pursue a Philosophy degree acquire numerous life skills, which can be applied both on a personal and professional level. Thus, they grow as individuals, through effective communication, critical thinking and the ability to see a problem from different angles.
Philosophy courses are usually three-year commitments and they come under the form of a Bachelor of Arts. The major concentrates on the history of Philosophy, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Justice and Values and so on. Furthermore, they can be easily combined with other minors.
McMaster is a great university that is best known as a research-intensive university. The program I am taking: The Justice, Political Philosophy and Law program is a specialized program with around 50 students, which is great! Since the program is small, I got to know many peers who have similar interests and pursuits and form a community bond with them. My classes are a mix of requirements of the program and electives. The classes that are required are smaller, however, I have been able to interact with the professor more. The electives offered are interesting, engaging and fun to learn. The professors at McMaster are usually helpful, qualified and passionate about what they teach. If you have questions or doubts, just reach out to them during office hours and they would be more than happy to help. McMaster has a medium-sized but lively campus. The buildings are clean and spacious. There are many beautiful historic structures and conservation areas around the campus. There are a lot of study spaces including the libraries and the student centre. The student life and community are active and tight-knit. There are dozens of clubs and athletic activities offered. In terms of internationality, the school has a blend of domestic and international students. McMaster offers exclusive support for international students and there are students from many different cultures and countries. I feel like my career prospects are pretty good. My program is reputable and taught me many skills that have prepared me for a career in law, philosophy, policy and other fields of study. One thing I did not like was McMaster’s handling of online schooling during the pandemic. The tuition remained the same, but the education I was receiving felt subpar. I had a couple of professors who were reading straight off the slides and offering no insight or explanation. Something that can be improved is more elective offerings. The courses I needed to take for my program in the summer were not offered, which was annoying. On top of that, the Student Service Centre needs to implement longer hours. Their contact hours are short and it is difficult to get a hold of them. Lastly, the food is very mediocre and pricey. It is the same food you would get anywhere and get bored of quickly.
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