Overview
This three-semester Master’s programme takes students more deeply into the major areas of philosophy with the aim of equipping them to begin teaching the subject at undergraduate level. Its particular focus can be seen in the Core (i.e. required) Courses: namely, Ethics, Epistemology, Logic and African Philosophy, and a range of Elective Courses are available for the student’s choice.
The Coursework requirement of 8 courses is covered in the first two semesters, i.e. four courses each semester, and the third semester is devoted to the writing of a 20,000-40,000 word Dissertation in philosophy. Both Core and Elective Courses are taught by lectures and seminars and personal supervision, particularly for the Dissertation; but students are expected to be themselves self-motivated and self-directed in their study, research and choice of dissertation topics. There are two intakes per year for this programme: one in August and one in January.
To be considered for admission to this programme, an applicant must have a good Honours degree (2.1 or better) in philosophy, or in an approved equivalent. Some applicants whose undergraduate degrees are not in philosophy but are judged to be equivalent may be offered enrollment in a non-terminal programme of undergraduate courses in philosophy in preparation for admission to the MA programme.
NOTE: Since there are two intakes to this programme, some students enter in August and others in January. “SEMESTER 1” therefore refers to the opening semester of each student’s programme and not to the FIRST SEMESTER of the academic calendar which runs from August to December.
SEMESTER 1 & SEMESTER 2
- TWO COURSES OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL FOR THAT SEMESTER (SEE THE LIST OF CORE COURSES BELOW)
- TWO COURSES CHOSEN FROM A LIST OF ELECTIVE COURSES OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL FOR THAT SEMESTER (SEE THE LIST OF POSSIBLE ELECTIVE COURSES BELOW)
SEMESTER 3
- A DISSERTATION IN PHILOSOPHY OF 20,000 TO 40,000 WORDS
Core Courses
- MPA 501 EPISTEMOLOGY
- MPA 502 ETHICS
- MPA 513 LOGIC
- MPA 514 AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY
Elective Courses
- MPA 503 HERMENEUTICS
- MPA 504 METAPHYSICS
- MPA 505 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
- MPA 506 PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
- MPA 507 ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY
- MPA 508 SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY
- MPA 509 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
- MPA 510 LEGAL PHILOSOPHY
- MPA 511 A MAJOR PHILOSOPHER
- MPA 512 A SPECIAL SUBJECT
- MPA 515 EGYPT / GREEK PHILOSOPHY
- MPA 516 BUSINESS ETHICS
- MPA 517 EUROPEAN PHILOSOPHY
- MPA 518 ISSUES IN SCIENCE AND RELIGION
- MPA 519 MEDICAL ETHICS
- MPA 520 CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY
- MPA 521 ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY
- MPA 522 PHILOSOPHY OF ART
- MPA 523 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
- MPA 524 PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY
- MPA 525 PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE
- MPA 526 PHILOSOPHY OF LITERATURE
- MPA 527 PHILOSOPHY OF MIND
- MPA 528 PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
- MPA 529 PHILOSOPHICAL WRITING
- MPS 530 PHILOSOPHY OF ACTION
- MPA 532 ETHICS OF WAR
- MPA 533 COMPUTER ETHICS
- MPA 534 PHILOSOPHY OF INTERNET TECHNOLOGY
- MPA 535 PHILOSOPHY OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Local students: $1225 for the first semester, $1200 for each semester thereafter.
International students: $1425 for the first semester, $1400 for each semester thereafter.
This programme aims to equip students to teach philosophy at university undergraduate level. A student who does well in this programme should also be eligible for admission to a professional level doctoral programme in philosophy. Apart from careers in academia, however, this programme equips MA graduates with skills important for a wider range of career opportunities such as teaching, journalism and similar types of research and writing, politics and diplomacy, but also in the business, administrative and NGO spheres of work. A deeper understanding of culture and cultures, a capacity for incisive reflection, critical thought and argument, reasoned debate and clear and precise communication, an ability to do self-directed research and to address complex issues in depth and at book-length: these are all qualities with a genuine value in themselves, and many employers in many different areas of employment will value them.