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.
Often when I tell others that I study Philosophy at York, I’m met with raised eyebrows and questions of boredom or density.
However – this course, its teachers and my peers within it have only shown me how important philosophy is today. The courses themselves – ranging from Logic to Ancient Ethics to Perception and Psychology, do have a range in their challenges, with a sure need to translate the verbiage if you’re not already familiar with it. I definitely recommend knowing what background knowledge is required for each module (if you’re not comfortable with maths or algebra you will be very uncomfortable with logic. If you hate politics or sociology, feminist philosophy will not be for you!)
Despite this, the staff and professors always make sure to help with those translations – and will always display the importance of these abstract theories in real life.
One of the criticisms I have of the course is the lack of non-cumulative examination. All examination (save the dissertation itself and a small project in first year) is done via an essay or exam. There is no official group work or alternative modes of presentation – which is a little archaic, especially when similar courses such as Politics or English offer project work continuously.
As a black student who identifies as queer, the classes have continously been made sure to be a safe space for me. This in tandem with the entire campus. Despite this, York, along with other Russell Groups is starving for more racial and class based diversity.
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