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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
99
Course content
The Freshman years
In the first two years, called Junior Freshman and Senior
Freshman, you will study foundation courses in the history
of philosophy, as well as engage with certain fundamental
philosophical problems such as the debates about free will and
determinism, the nature of morality, the nature of language,
the existence of God, logic, and the scope and limits of human
knowledge.
In the TSM programmes where philosophy is studied with
another subject there are approximately five hours of classes
per week; with double that for the single honor programme.
The Sophister years
In the final two years, called Junior Sophister and Senior
Sophister, you are able to set your own syllabus by selecting
courses from a reasonably wide choice including political
philosophy, ethics, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of
mind, among others. In this way you can specialise in the areas
of philosophy you have found most interesting and most suitable
to your skills.
Assessment
Assessment is by means of both essays and formal
examinations with equal importance given to both. In the Senior
Sophister year, you will research and write a dissertation.
Career opportunities
In the recent past graduates of Philosophy have worked in areas
as diverse as accountancy, academic teaching, journalism, law,
T.V. reporting and research, film making, banking, computing
and advertising. Each year some graduates also opt to pursue a
research career beginning with postgraduate study in Ireland or
abroad.
Did you know?
n
George Berkeley (1685-1753), who has a permanent
place in any list of the great philosophers, attended
Trinity College. In addition, the political philosopher,
Edmund Burke (1729-1797), inaugurated the College
debating society while still a student at Trinity College.
n
Trinity College is the only university in Ireland where
philosophy can be taken as a degree course on its own.
Further information
Tel: +353 1 896 1529
Philosophy, political
science, economics
and sociology
COURSE CODES:
PLACES 2012:
POINTS 2011:
DEGREE AWARDED:
TR015
34
525*
B.A.
Special Entry Requirements:
Leaving Certificate
OC3/HD3 Mathematics
GCSE
Grade B Mathematics
See also:
TR001: TSM, page 36
TR005: Philosophy, page 98
TR012: History and political science, page 75
TR020: Law and political science, page 94
TR029: Political science and geography, page 102
TR081: BESS, page 37
TR083: Sociology and social policy, page 113
Course overview
The aim of this degree is to provide a coherent and integrated
introduction to the study of the social sciences and philosophy.
It brings together some of the most important approaches
to understanding the social and human world, developing
skills for a whole range of future careers and activities. The
idea behind the programme is that, to understand social
and human phenomena, one must approach them from
several complementary disciplinary directions and analytical
frameworks. By allowing a gradual specialisation over the course
of the four-year degree programme, students are assured of
obtaining an excellent grounding in one, or at most two, of the
disciplines which make up the degree.
In the first three years you take six modules with approximately
three teaching hours per week including tutorial classes in each.
In the final year there is a reduction in the number of modules
taken to recognise the greater commitment to independent work.
Is it the right course for you?
This course will appeal to students who are excited about the
challenges of understanding the way societies are organised,
governed and create wealth drawing on the methods and
insights of philosophical inquiry. If you are puzzled about the
ways our world is structured and have a desire to change it,
then this may well be the course for you.
