(BA) (4-year-programme) - The University of Hong Kong

164PHILOSOPHYStudying philosophy trains you to think critically, creatively, and independently. It provides excellentpreparation for work in a variety of professions. Philosophy graduates hold important positions ingovernment, business, education, journalism, and many other fields.Our syllabus enables you to take a small amount of philosophy (in any year of study, withoutprerequisites), to major in philosophy, to take a double major, combining philosophy with anotherArts or Social Sciences discipline, or to take a minor in philosophy. We recommend that studentscomplete PHIL1012 or PHIL1034 before enrolling in upper-level courses, but students who have notdone so may enroll with the permission of the instructor. Philosophy majors and minors are requiredto take one of these courses as a prerequisite for the major and minor.Courses are generally organized as lectures or seminars and typically include tutorials. Particularimportance is attached to tutorial participation.A distinctive part of a university education is developing the ability to formulate and defend one’sown ideas. The philosophy syllabus and our approach to teaching is guided by this principle.The HKU Philosophy Department is known around the world for its pioneering role over the last twodecades in exploiting the advantages of information technology as a new instrument in learning.Though not a substitute for thought or for more traditional forms of learning, properly used, I.T.facilitates our teaching and helps students develop skills that can be useful more generally.Our courses are divided into four levels and four groups. The four levels correspond to the four yearsof study for an undergraduate degree. But students in any Faculty may take, for instance, a first-yearphilosophy course in any year of study (provided that the regulations of their own degree programmepermit it). The four groups are of courses related by subject. The two first-year courses eachcorrespond roughly to two of these groups.Major in Philosophy. Students who major in philosophy must complete a total of 72 credits,including PHIL1012 or PHIL1034 (6 credits), 12 credits of introductory courses taken from any Artsprogramme normally in the first year, and not less than 54 credits worth of second- through fourthyearcourses in philosophy (that is, nine 6-credit courses), of which at least 6 credits must be in a“capstone” course (see below). PHIL1012 or PHIL1034 is usually taken in the first year of study, butstudents may also take them in other years. Students are recommended to take at least one coursefrom each of the four groups specified below. Fourth-year majors who qualify are recommended totake PHIL 4810 “Senior Seminar” in their final year, especially if they are considering further study inphilosophy. Students may also take a double major, combining philosophy with another Arts or SocialScience discipline. (BA students taking a double major with a Social Science discipline must conformto the requirements determined by the Faculty of Social Sciences for majors in a Social Sciencediscipline.)“Capstone” courses. Third-year or fourth-year majors in philosophy must complete a senior“capstone” course giving them the opportunity to apply disciplinary knowledge and methods learnedin the previous years of study. The capstone courses available are PHIL4910 Senior Essay andPHIL4920 Senior Thesis.Minor in Philosophy. Students who minor in philosophy must complete PHIL1012 or PHIL1034and not less than 30 credits worth of second- through fourth-year courses in philosophy (that is, five6-credit courses). PHIL1012 or PHIL1034 is usually taken in the first year of study, but students mayalso take them in other years.