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BSocSc - Philosophy as a major

The Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) will challenge your thinking about the world and the people who live in it. The degree focuses on contemporary social issues, the ways in which humans interact with these issues and how such actions can be monitored and modified.

Philosophy is for thinkers and doers. It's about solving real-life problems, and applying intellectual rigour to how we understand and interact with others, society and the world. Studying Philosophy at Waikato will teach you how to learn, think and write clearly, argue vigorously, and question deeply held assumptions and beliefs.

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Key information

Years: 3
Points: 360
Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): $6,591 - $7,608 per year
Estimated Fees* (International): $28,025 - $35,420 per year
Entry Requirements: Undergraduate International
Area of Study:
*Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.

Career opportunities

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  • Health Policy Adviser
  • Policy Analyst
  • Public Relations Practitioner

Degree Planner

Degree planner — BSocSc in Philosophy

Year 1

Any 100 level
PHILO paper

Any 100 level
PHILO paper

One from List A

ARTSC111
Social Science Theory and Action

Field of the Degree
100 Level

Field of the Degree
100 Level

Elective

Elective

Year 2

Any 200 level
PHILO paper

Any 200 level
PHILO paper

Any 200 level
paper listed below

One from List B

PSYCH211 or SSRES200

Elective

Elective

Elective

Year 3

Any 300 level
PHILO paper

Any 300 level
PHILO paper

Any 300 level
PHILO paper

Any 300 level
paper listed below

One from List C

Elective

Elective

Elective

  • Major
  • Compulsory
  • Elective

Philosophy exposes and addresses problems, including ethical problems, problems about science, logical problems and problems about the nature of reality.

Philosophy is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), the Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC), and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Philosophy may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Philosophy as a single major for the BA, BCC and BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Philosophy, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level.

To complete Philosophy as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Philosophy, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level.

To complete a minor in Philosophy, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Philosophy major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.

100 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
PHILO102Introduction to Logic15.023B (Hamilton)
An introduction to symbolic logic, including formal testing of arguments for validity in propositional logic and predicate logic.
PHILO103Critical Thinking15.023A (Online) & 23G (Online)
This paper helps students to engage critically with the sorts of arguments encountered both inside and outside the University.
PHILO106Social and Moral Philosophy15.023A (Hamilton) & 23A (Online)
An investigation of contemporary moral and social issues from a practical ethics perspective. Issues may include abortion, animal welfare, discrimination, euthanasia, freedom of speech, genetic enhancement, privacy, punishment, and your online life.
PHILO150The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy15.023B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga)
An introduction to philosophy that investigates a range of big questions. The big questions may include: does God exist?, does my morality apply to you?, do we have free will?, what is the meaning of life?, and who am I?.

200 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
MAORI202Ngā Iho Matua: Māori Philosophy15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper examines the philosophical underpinnings of seminal tikanga Maori concepts, and their influence both historically and in contemporary Maori culture.
PHILO204Wisdom, Language, and Communication15.023A (Hamilton)
Is language the seat of all knowledge and wisdom? The aim of this paper is to explore growing philosophical debates in epistemology and the philosophy of language.
PHILO205God, Spirituality, and the Afterlife15.023B (Hamilton) & 23B (Tauranga)
This paper analyses a range of conceptions of God (Ultimate reality), spirituality, and the afterlife in order to explore our place in the universe and understand different perspectives on the meaning of life.
PHILO215Moral and Political Philosophy: A Historical Introduction15.023B (Hamilton)
This paper introduces students to central issues in Moral and Political Philosophy, using texts from historical figures in philosophy to study questions about virtue, happiness, justice, liberty, democracy, tyranny, feminism, art, censorship, and moral education.
PHILO217Environmental Ethics15.023H (Online)
A study of ethical questions about the relation of humans to the rest of the natural world, including the attribution of value and rights to the non-human world and ethical issues in environment and development.
PHILO218Ethics at Work15.023G (Online)
A study of ethics as it relates to business and professional practice in New Zealand including material specifically for interest groups: eg computer science, psychology and social work.
PHILO225Happiness and Wellbeing15.023A (Hamilton)
Drawing on ancient wisdom and modern science, this paper investigates the meaning and value of happiness, and the role it plays in making our lives go well for us.

300 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ALPSS390Directed Study15.023X (Hamilton)
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
EDSOC300Māori Knowledge and Western Impacts in Education15.023A (Online)
This paper explores comparisons between key Western and Maori philosophies. It considers how Maori and Western philosophies respectively describe the self's relationship with thought and knowledge in the context of education.
PHILO309Experiments in Ethics15.023B (Hamilton)
The paper uses thought experiments to introduce students to central issues in contemporary moral philosophy. The issues may include: What makes an action right? Are there any absolute duties? Is morality entirely subjective? Is it possible to have moral knowledge? How can we be sure our moral judgments are right?
PHILO310Mind, Matter and Consciousness15.023B (Hamilton)
Are mental states just brain states? If not, what are they? Can we account for consciousness in purely physical terms? PHILO310 covers these central questions in the Philosophy of Mind.
PHILO315Democracy, Justice & Equality15.023A (Hamilton)
This course provides students with an in-depth introduction to contested topics in modern political philosophy. Students will be expected to analyse the theoretical basis of these positions, and to consider the practical consequences of them.
PHILO317Environmental Ethics15.023H (Online)
Do we have moral obligations toward nature? How should human beings treat the natural world? This paper examines questions such as these in light of our current ethical theories.
PHILO318Ethics at Work15.023G (Online)
This is an applied ethics paper focussing on the professions, research and business. It examines contemporary issues relevant to a wide range of occupations graduates might enter.
PHILO355The Fundamental Structure of the World15.023A (Hamilton)
What is there? What makes up the furniture of reality? What about holes, chairs, possible worlds, fictional characters, musical works, temporal parts, races, or genders? These are central questions within metaphysics that we explore in this paper. We also explore higher-level questions: what is it to exist, and how should we go abo...

500 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
ALPSS590Directed Study30.023X (Hamilton)
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
PHILO533Moral and Political Philosophy15.023A (Hamilton)
This paper will cover a range of current topics in moral and political philosophy. The exact content will be guided by choices made in class, but will include detailed analysis of foundational problems in modern political philosophy, and exploration of the intersection of moral and political philosophy in practice.
PHILO536The Philosophy of Mind15.023B (Hamilton)
In this paper we will discuss recent philosophical work on issues concerning consciousness and intentionality.
PHILO545Aesthetics15.023B (Hamilton)
This paper covers a range of topics in contemporary aesthetics, including: What is art? What is the difference between art and craft? Are aesthetic values entirely subjective? Can fictional events give rise to real emotions? How is it possible to enjoy horror?
PHILO560Special Topic: Free Will and Moral Responsibility15.0No occurrences
This paper will examine conceptual and empirical issues in the literature on free will and moral responsibility. Topics may include: Does free will or moral responsibility require the ability to do otherwise? If we lack the kind of free will required for moral responsibility, can punishment be justified? Do psychopathy or addiction pose problems for theories of moral responsibility? Have experimental findings shown that we don't have free will or that there are methodological problems with philosophical debates about free will and moral responsibility?
PHILO588Foundations of Philosophical Research30.023A (Hamilton)
In this paper we engage in focused analysis of a range of philosophical topics relevant to the research goals of students. The paper enhances students' knowledge of long standing and contemporary debates in philosophy. Students cultivate their research skills through seminar development and presentation, and gain a grounding in phi...
PHILO591Dissertation30.023A (Hamilton), 23B (Hamilton) & 23D (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
PHILO592Dissertation60.023X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
PHILO593Philosophy Thesis90.023X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
PHILO594Philosophy Thesis120.023X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

800 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
PHILO800Philosophy MPhil Thesis120.023X (Hamilton)
No description available.

900 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
PHILO900Philosophy PhD Thesis120.023I (Hamilton), 23J (Hamilton), 23K (Hamilton) & 23X (Hamilton)
No description available.

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Subject links

Philosophy Programme

Philosophy is available as a major for the BA and BSocSc. Philosophy may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.

For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080 or email: [email protected]

Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.

Contacts

School of Social Sciences
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4030
General Enquiries: [email protected]