MA Philosophy

Programme Convenor: Dr Louis Caruana

Link to Programme Specification

Brief Description of Programme

The MA Philosophy is designed to meet the needs of those who wish to explore philosophical issues either as a development of undergraduate study or following a first degree in suitable subject other than Philosophy. This carefully-focused programme both deepens students' earlier philosophical work and functions as a demanding but effective introduction to this fascinating subject.

The new Heythrop MA Philosophy is a coherent presentation of the central questions of philosophy. It provides opportunities to consider a range of philosophical topics including contemporary and ancient philosophy, philosophy of religion, Arabic philosophy and ethics.

The MA consists of four modules and a dissertation. All students study a core module in Knowledge and Reality, and also either a module in Ethics or in Political Philosophy – each of which runs in alternate years, so that full-time students do not normally have a choice between these. If you have not previously studied Philosophy at degree level, you must also take the module Introduction to Philosophy.

You choose the remaining one or two modules from a set of options which will take you further into the central themes and methods of Philosophy. By agreement, it may be possible for you, if you prefer, to select a module from one of the other MA courses at Heythrop.

The dissertation involves a substantial independent investigation of a topic selected by you with the approval of your supervisor. Usually, it will build on one or more of your previous modules.