Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as knowledge, truth, beauty, law, justice, mind, language, and the right and the good, using a critical, generally systematic approach relying on reasoned argument. Philosophy is one of the most influential of all areas of study, providing the frameworks in which one thinks and acts. Allowing one to make sense of oneself and one's surroundings, Philosophy teaches not what to think but how to think. The study of Philosophy develops intellectual abilities. Beyond the knowledge and skills required for any particular profession, a good philosophical education enhances the capacity to participate responsibly and intelligently in public life.

The following undergraduate programs are available in the Department of Philosophy:

1. Major in Philosophy

2. Minor in Philosophy

3. Joint Major in Philosophy

4. Honours in Philosophy

5. Joint Honours in Philosophy

6. Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies

7. Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Normally, 6 credit hours in Philosophy courses at the 1000 or 2000-level or a combination thereof, or permission from the Department, are prerequisites for Philosophy courses at the 3000-level and above. Normally, 6 credit hours in Philosophy courses at the 3000-level, or permission from the Department, are prerequisites for Philosophy courses at the 4000-level.

Philosophy course descriptions are found at the end of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences section under Course Descriptions, Philosophy and are designated by PHIL.

The Bachelor of Arts requires the successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. A student must meet the requirements for a departmental Major, Minor, or Honours program and also meet the Program Regulations – General and Honours Degrees for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. A student is therefore advised to consult with the Admission to the Bachelor of Arts General Degree Programs regulations, the Program Regulations - General and Honours Degrees which also includes the Bachelor of Arts General Degree Components, The Major Program, and The Minor Program regulations. Information regarding honours programs is available at Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree Regulations as well as under each department’s regulations.

A student is strongly encouraged to consult with an academic advisor to discuss available programs and requirements in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences including the Core Requirements, The Major Program, The Minor Program, and the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree Regulations. A student is advised to declare a program of study, including a Major and a Minor, before completing the first 45 credit hours of study. Information about declaring a Major and Minor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is available at www.mun.ca/hss/programs/undergraduate/ideclare.php. Information regarding advisors for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is available at www.mun.ca/hss/about/contact/liaisons.php.

In addition to meeting the requirements listed under Program Regulations - General and Honours Degrees, to complete a B.A. with a Major in Philosophy, students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours in Philosophy courses as follows:

1. 3 credit hours in Philosophy 2010 or 2020;

2. 3 credit hours in Philosophy 2030;

3. 3 credit hours in Philosophy 2040 or 2050 (or the former 3400);

4. 6 credit hours in Philosophy 2201, 2205, or 2215;

5. 9 credit hours at the 3000-level;

6. 6 credit hours at the 4000-level; and,

7. 6 additional credit hours at any level. Normally these will include 3 credit hours at the 1000-level.

In addition to meeting the requirements listed under Program Regulations - General and Honours Degrees, to complete a B.A. with a Minor in Philosophy, students must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours in Philosophy courses as follows:

1. 3 credit hours in Philosophy 2010 or 2020;

2. 3 credit hours in Philosophy 2201, 2205, or 2215;

3. 9 credit hours at the 3000-level;

4. 3 credit hours at the 4000-level; and,

5. 6 additional credit hours at any level. Normally these will include 3 credit hours at the 1000-level.

As an alternative to a minor, a student may choose to complete a major in Philosophy and a major in another eligible program in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Joint Major Program requires 3 fewer credit hours in each participating major as prescribed in each program’s Calendar entry. For the joint major in Philosophy, 3 fewer credit hours shall be required to fulfill clause 7 of the Major in Philosophy above.

An Honours degree provides students with a more in-depth education in the discipline of Philosophy and additional research and writing skills. An Honours degree may be required for admission to a graduate program and is useful preparation for law and other professional fields. Students considering the Honours program are encouraged to apply before their fourth semester. Admission to the program is in accordance with University Regulations (Undergraduate) and the Regulations for the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts.

In addition to meeting the general requirements for the degree, to complete a B.A. with Honours in Philosophy, students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours in Philosophy courses as follows:

1. 9 credit hours in Philosophy 2010, 2020, and 2030;

2. 3 credit hours in Philosophy 2040 or 2050 (or the former 3400);

3. 6 credit hours in Philosophy 2201, 2205, or 2215;

4. 24 credit hours in Philosophy at the 3000-level, including 3010 or 3020; 3230 or 3231; 3410; 3420;

5. 12 credit hours in Philosophy at the 4000-level, including Philosophy 4998 or 4999; and,

6. 6 additional credit hours at any level. Normally these will include 3 credit hours at the 1000-level.

An Honours degree provides students with a more in-depth education in the discipline of Philosophy and additional research and writing skills. An Honours degree may be required for admission to a graduate program and is useful preparation for law and other professional fields. Students considering the Honours program are encouraged to apply before their fourth semester. Admission to the program is in accordance with University Regulations (Undergraduate) and the Regulations for the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts. A student’s program for Joint Honours must be approved by each Head of Department involved, and conform to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences General Regulations for Joint Honours degrees.

In addition to meeting the general requirements for the degree, to complete a B.A. (Joint Honours) in Philosophy, students must complete a minimum of 45 credit hours in Philosophy courses as follows:

1. 3 credit hours in Philosophy 2010 or 2020;

2. 3 credit hours in Philosophy 2030;

3. 3 credit hours in Philosophy 2040 or 2050 (or the former 3400);

4. 6 credit hours in Philosophy 2201, 2205, or 2215;

5. Philosophy 3010 or 3020; 3230 or 3231; 3410; 3420; and 9 additional credit hours at the 3000-level; and

6. Philosophy 4998 or 4999; and 6 additional credit hours in Philosophy at the 4000- level.

7. If a student opts to take the comprehensive exam or honours thesis in the other discipline, the student will take a minimum of 42 credit hours in Philosophy courses.

In addition to completing the normal requirements for a Bachelor of Arts and one of an Honours, Major or Minor in Philosophy, students may elect to complete requirements for the International Bachelor of Arts (iBA). As part of the minimum 120 credit hours, a student may use eligible credit hours in Philosophy to jointly satisfy other requirements of the iBA degree. When selecting courses, a student is encouraged to consult with an academic advisor early in the program and to consider Possible Course Sequencing for the First 45 credit hours of the Bachelor of Arts.

In accordance with University Regulations (Undergraduate), Year of Degree and Departmental Regulations - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Faculty of Science, students for a Philosophy Honours, Major, or Minor who had successfully completed a 2000-level course or above in Philosophy prior to September 2018 will normally follow the departmental regulations in effect at that time, although subsequent regulations are available for all students.

The Major and Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies are administered by the Department of Philosophy.

The Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies and the Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies are interdisciplinary programs offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences that aim to promote the integrated study through core courses of the period between Antiquity and the Modern Age (approx. 500-1700), commonly defined as the Medieval and the Early Modern, encompassing the Renaissance, the religious Reformations, the Age of European Expansion, and early colonialism. Such an approach, which coordinates the methods and subjects of several disciplines, mirrors the pluralistic, interreligious, and global framework of the age. Core courses in Medieval and Early Modern Studies are intended to integrate the material and provide a common focus at the beginning of the programs.

Medieval and Early Modern Studies course descriptions are found at the end of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences section under Course Descriptions, Philosophy, Medieval and Early Modern Studies and are designated by MEMS.

Students must carefully plan their course selection and regularly consult with the program's designated academic advisor. Questions about the delivery of a course should be directed to the appropriate academic unit. Information regarding advisors for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is available at www.mun.ca/hss/about/contact/liaisons.php.

Students wishing to declare a Major or Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies shall consult with the program's designated academic advisor to discuss the requirements of the program. Information about declaring a program of study in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is available at www.mun.ca/hss/programs/undergraduate/ideclare.php.

1. A Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies consists of all the general requirements of the Bachelor of Arts program, including a minimum of 36 credit hours in courses chosen from Core Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Courses Approved for the Major and Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies as follows:

   1. Students must choose courses in at least three different disciplines within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences;

   2. 6 credit hours in Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1000 (or the former Medieval Studies 1000 or the former Medieval Studies 2000); and Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1001;

   3. 6 credit hours in the study of the Latin language, normally Medieval and Modern Studies 1120 (or the former Medieval Studies 1120) or Classics 1120, and Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1121 (or the former Medieval Studies 1121) or Classics 1121, or 6 credit hours in another language studies course relevant to the program (for example, German or French). This requirement will be waived for English Honours students taking 6 credits in Middle or Old English as part of the English Honours program;

   4. 3 credit hours in one of Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2001 (or the former Medieval Studies 2001) or History 2320, or Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2002 (or the former Medieval Studies 2002) or History 2330, or Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2003 or History 2300; and

   5. an additional 21 credit hours chosen from Core Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Courses Approved for the Major and Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, of which a minimum of 6 credit hours must be at the 3000-level or above, and a minimum of 6 credit hours must be at the 4000-level.

2. As per the Degree Regulations, Major Programs of Study, students completing a Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies must choose a single discipline Minor or a second Major.

1. The Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies consists of a minimum of 24 credit hours chosen from Core Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Courses Approved for the Major and Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies as follows:

   1. Students must choose courses in at least three different disciplines within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences;

   2. 6 credit hours in Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1000 (or the former Medieval Studies 1000 or the former Medieval Studies 2000); and Medieval and Early Modern Studies 1001;

   3. 3 credit hours in one of Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2001 (or the former Medieval Studies 2001) or History 2320, or Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2002 (or the former Medieval Studies 2002) or History 2330, or Medieval and Early Modern Studies 2003 or History 2300;

   4. an additional 15 credit hours chosen from Core Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Courses Approved for the Major and Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, of which a minimum of 6 credit hours must be at the 3000-level or above, and a minimum of 3 credit hours must be at the 4000-level; and

   5. as per the Degree Regulations, Minor Programs of Study, students completing a Minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies must choose a single discipline Major.

As an alternative to a Minor or a second Major, a student may choose to complete a Joint Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies and another eligible program in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Joint Major Program requires 3 fewer credit hours in each participating Major as prescribed in each program’s Calendar entry. For the Joint Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, 3 fewer credit hours at the 2000-level shall be required to fulfill clause 1.d. of the Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies above.

1. The Medieval and Early Modern Studies program provides exposure to courses in various disciplines within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

2. Not all courses are necessarily offered each year.

3. Students must be careful not to register for different designations of the same course that is crosslisted with different departments.

4. Normal departmental prerequisites for courses are applicable.

A student cannot be awarded both a Major or a Minor or a Joint Major in Medieval Studies and a Major or a Minor or a Joint Major in Medieval and Early Modern Studies.

In accordance with University Regulations (Undergraduate), Year of Degree and Departmental Regulations - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Faculty of Science, students with a Medieval and Early Modern Studies Major or Minor who had successfully completed a 2000-level course or above in Medieval Studies prior to September 2022 will normally follow the departmental regulations in effect at that time, although subsequent regulations are available for all students.

The Department of Philosophy administers the Diploma in Humanities. Credit hours in Philosophy and Medieval and Early Modern Studies may be eligible to jointly fulfill requirements of a degree and a diploma. For further information about this program, see Diploma Programs Offered in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, or contact the Program Director.

The Departments of Classics, History, and Philosophy jointly administer the Certificate in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology. Credit hours in Philosophy may be eligible to jointly fulfill requirements of a degree and a certificate. For further information about this program, see Certificate in History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, or contact the Program Director.