Honours Overview

Description

Honours in Philosophy will develop high-level research skills and an ability to analyse and construct arguments, deepen your knowledge of the history of philosophy, as well as broaden and integrate your understanding of the sub-fields of philosophy. The honours seminars are designed to build on the understanding and knowledge of topics and historical figures that you encountered in your undergraduate study. You will also become familiar with cutting-edge, contemporary work in philosophy, which you have only a limited opportunity to explore at undergraduate level.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) strengthen generic intellectual skills such as analysing and critically assessing arguments, constructing and expressing their own arguments, constructing and expressing explanations of phenomena; (2) develop a critical understanding of the core issues in key areas of philosophy including metaphysics, the philosophy of mind, metaethics, social and political philosophy, analytic philosophy, the philosophy of science, and the history of philosophy; (3) develop public speaking and professional presentation skills; (4) develop critical writing skills; and (5) develop core research skills in preparation for research oriented postgraduate work and/or research oriented work outside of the academy.

Entry requirements

The equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 75 per cent in the Level 3 units of the Philosophy major.

Students must meet with their Discipline's Honours Coordinator to discuss their programme and research supervision prior to enrollment.

Intake periods

Beginning of year and mid-year

Courses

Honours in Philosophy can be taken as a specialisation in the following degrees:

No study plans found for this course. Check your chosen major, see study plans or contact your student advising office for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2026 – may be available in 2027 or 2028
Take all units (24 points):
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
S1, S2 HUMA4140 Humanities Dissertation 1
Prerequisites
enrolment in
a School of Humanities honours program
S1, S2 HUMA4141 Humanities Dissertation 2
Prerequisites
HUMA4140 Humanities Dissertation 1
Take unit(s) to the value of 24 points:
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
N/A PHIL4101 Advanced Moral Philosophy
Prerequisites
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
S1 PHIL4102 Topics in Social and Political Philosophy
Prerequisites
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
S2 PHIL4103 Topics in the Philosophy of Mind
Prerequisites
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
N/A PHIL4104 Advanced Metaphysics
Prerequisites
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
S2 PHIL4105 Topics in the History of Philosophy
Prerequisites
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
S1 PHIL4106 Analytic Philosophy
Prerequisites
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
N/A PHIL4107 Metaethics
Prerequisites
sufficient units in the relevant major at the specified standard for entry to the honours specialisation
S2 PHIL4108 Topics in the Philosophy of Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-PHILY Philosophy