This programme may also be studied in combination with other subjects (BA World Philosophies and…).
Philosophy has been a significant activity in most cultures for several thousand years. It seems to be a natural development of human societies to ask complex questions about the fundamental nature of reality, about what it is to be human, about what constitutes a good life, about the nature of beauty, justice, knowledge and truth, of how to confront and resolve ethical dilemmas.
A degree in philosophy from SOAS, with its focus on the philosophical traditions of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, offers you the opportunity to become conversant with the formal epistemological systems and traditions of argumentation, political and ethical systems of thought, and analysis from a wider range of societies and historical contexts than those of the traditional philosophy graduate. Not only do we have a range of unparalleled expertise in the philosophical traditions of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, many of the School’s lecturers are trained in and conversant with European philosophical traditions. The range of languages offered in the School ensure that you will encounter philosophical traditions in their vernacular contexts.
In addition to the ability to think critically and logically, acquired through the study of philosophy in general, the study of philosophies from Asia, Africa and the Middle East will enable you to take a broad, balanced, and comprehensive view, to listen attentively to and understand others’ viewpoints with empathy and deep cultural insight. With these skills in hand, you will develop the capacity to become effective mediators between and within diverse societies, in complex and demanding environments and situations. SOAS is uniquely placed to offer a philosophy programme that can equip students with the skills and training to meet this challenge.
Programme Code: UGSF0061
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September 2016
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Who is this programme for?:
This degree will suit high-performing students with a global outlook, an interest in diverse philosophical traditions and cultural parameters of non-Western societies, coupled with an aptitude in intellectual history and critical thought. Individuals with inter-cultural competency—the ability to exchange values and concepts, to value and communicate different modes of understanding in the marketplace of ideas—are in huge demand in the job market.
BTEC: DDM
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB
Irish LC: 340 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 4 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 80%
French Bacc: 14/20
German Abitur: 2.0
Italy DES: 80/100
Austria Mat: 2.0
Polish Mat: Overall 75% including 3 extended level subjects
Dr Sian Hawthorne Convenor
The structure of the BA World Philosophies, taken as a single-subject honours degree, ensures that students gain a rigorous grounding in core philosophical themes, concepts, problems and approaches drawn from European, Anglophone, and non-European philosophical traditions with an accompanying flexibility built in to enable regional or thematic specialism or language capability.
Modules to the equivalent of 120 credits must be taken in each year. Modules to the equivalent of 60 credits are compulsory per year, with students free to select a further 60 credits from a list of options in various traditions or themes in World Philosophies, or to choose a language specialism.
The first year of the programme provides an essential foundation in World Philosophies, and introduces core topics in Philosophy, with additional options available that enable focus on discrete traditions, a language, or thematic components.
The second year builds on the foundations established in the first year, enabling students to grapple with questions of interpretation, hermeneutics, phenomenology, and dialogue between and within philosophical traditions. Core components of philosophical methods and concepts are also taught and students are encouraged to develop a regional or thematic specialism, choosing from a wide range of options that address philosophical themes or offer training in specific philosophical traditions. Language training is also encouraged.
The third and final year is characterised by a focus on epistemology and critique, independent research, and the consolidation of a chosen regional or thematic specialism. All students undertake a supervised Independent Study Project which is intended to consolidate and extend a student’s philosophical tradition-based understanding and knowledge applied to prominent themes or debates in the field of World Philosophies.
You will take ONE Compulsory Module worth 15 credits:
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Philosophies in Context | 158000211 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparative Ethics | 158000199 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Debates, Methods and Themes in World Philosophies | 158000209 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Introduction to Logic, Critical Reasoning and Argumentation | 158000193 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Introduction to Epistemology | 158000210 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Metaphysics in Comparative Perspective | 158000198 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Philosophy, Race, and Racism | 158000207 - Term 1 | 15 | |
| Reading and Writing Philosophy | 158000208 | 15 | Term 1 |
PLUS up to 75 credits from the Traditions of Philosophies List below. You may replace up to 30 credits from this list with a language module.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophies of Interpretation and Understanding | 158000135 | 30 | Full Year |
| Philosophies of Language | 158000196 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| African Philosophy | 155901397 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Ancient and Medieval Indian Philosophy | 158000098 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Indian Buddhist Philosophy | 154800308 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Classical Chinese Thought | 158000103 not running in 2020-21 | 15* | |
| The Holocaust and the Problem of Evil | 158000156 - not running in 2020/21 | 15 -runs in Term 1 | |
| Islamic Philosophy | 155901338 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Japanese Buddhist Thought | 154800315 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Modern Indian Philosophy | 158000192 | 30 | Full Year |
| Modern Jewish Thought | 158000178 | 15 | Full Year |
| R471 Taoism: the Great Tradition | 158000181 | 15 | Term 2 |
| The Holocaust and the Problem of Evil | 158000156 - not running in 2020/21 | 15 -runs in Term 1 | |
| R451 Jewish Identity from Ancient to Modern Times | 158000168 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Islam: Religion and Rationality | 158000189 | 15 | Term 1 |
| R430 Political Islam | 154800310 | 30 | Full Year |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Margins of Philosophy | 158000116 | 30 | Full Year |
| Independent Study Project in World Philosophies | 158000194 | 30 | Full Year |
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Most courses involve a 50-100-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes. The course is examined through written and oral examinations and coursework. In addition, the Independent Study Project (ISP) in year 3 facilitates supervised student research in a prominent topic or debate in the field of World Philosophies.
SOAS Library
The SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
A degree in philosophy is highly regarded by employers of many kinds. They understand the skills acquired in the study of philosophy as important for management and leadership roles.
The BA World Philosophies degree will thus be of value to those students wishing to pursue careers that require the acute ability to negotiate with other cultures and communities at all levels, from international development, information technologies, management, finance and banking, the civil service, human-rights and international law, diversity management and local government, journalism, as well as the diplomatic corps, and in transnational policy formation roles.
Andrew WernerI feel that the thorough and systematic teaching provided by SOAS has given me not only a good knowledge of Sanskrit but also skills in critical thought, linguistic and socio-political analysis and communication that will give me something unique to offer to a graduate employer.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.