Philosophy Department09 Aug |
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AS LEVEL A2 PHILOSOPHYWhy Study Philosophy?Have you ever sat quietly and asked yourself difficult questions? Like ‘What is the meaning of life’, or ‘Are we really free?’ If you have, then you are philosophical by nature. But what is philosophy? Well there is no straightforward definition. But what most people agree on is that philosophy is about using rational argument and logical thinking to shine some light on life’s big questions. In doing so you’ll get a greater understanding of the world we live in, and of yourself. Philosophy helps students develop a number of new skills:Ø How to think for yourself and question the normØ How to examine information in a critical wayØ How to form judgments based on clear evaluation of informationØ How to put your point of view across clearlyØ How to take responsibility for your own learningWhat Exactly Will I Be Studying?In the first year (AS) you’ll have an introduction to philosophy in two parts: Part 1 includes subjects like ‘The idea of God’, and ‘Why should I be moral?’ Part 2 includes ‘Realism and idealism’ and ‘Freewill and determinism’. This first year gets you into the mindset of philosophy, from where you can spread your wings and consider loftier subjects In the second year (A2), the first study topic is ‘Key themes in philosophy’. Here you’ll shine a light on subjects like moral and religious philosophy, along with political philosophy. The second study topic is ‘Philosophical problems’, where you’ll get your head around some of the issues pondered by great philosophers over the years.How Will I Be Examined?At AS Level you will be expected to sit two examination papers.
At A2 Level you will be expected to sit another two examination papers
What Next After Studying Philosophy?OK. For the vast majority of students - even those who go on to take the subject at university - ‘philosopher’ is not the kind of job title you see down at the local job centre. But what philosophy does do is fine-tune your reasoning so that your enhanced intellect can be applied to other careers. Law, Politics, the Civil Service, Journalism, Advertising, Education, Policy Development and Implementation, Marketing, International Relations and Diplomacy, Management, Peace Building, Security Strategies - these are some of the careers where your ability to turn abstract subjects into solid concepts will be highly regarded.
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| Last Updated on Monday, 09 August 2010 08:35 |
