Philosophy

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses, including Grade 12 U English.

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English. 
2. A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in Grade 12 U English.
3. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Spanning much of the period of recorded culture, courses in this program offer students a well-rounded understanding of philosophy's central debates. The program focuses on the history of philosophical ideas and develops students' critical argumentation skills. It also provides students with the chance to examine the practical applications of philosophical theories and methods.

By studying the great ideas of the past and present, along with their applications to the real world, students in this unique program acquire the analytical skills that will help prepare them for exciting careers in the future.

The core goals of the program are to:

• Develop students' analytical reasoning skills;
• Develop students' understanding of the broad intellectual contours and social relevance of our shared philosophical heritage
• Develop oral and written and communication skill
• Develop a sophisticated understanding of how philosophical theories and methods are applicable to contemporary political and social issues

The critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, and analytical reasoning competencies that students of philosophy amass during their studies make them ideal candidates for a variety of positions in a diverse range of fields. They go on to pursue opportunities with employers in the public, private and nonprofit sectors that value critical analysis and problem-solving skills. They can also choose to further their studies by pursuing a Master of Arts in Philosophy, a two-year program that offers a thesis stream and a major research paper stream. Popular choices for further studies among philosophy graduates include law school and teachers college.

The discipline of Philosophy draws on the theories, methods, and practices of a broad range of humanities and social sciences. Therefore, the Philosophy program builds on a common first-year platform shared with other programs in the Faculty of Arts, with specialization in Philosophy occurring in years two through four of the degree.

Semesters One and Two:  In the first year, which is shared with the programs in Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology, students take their first two university-level Philosophy courses from a number of options that explore the subject across a range of themes, time periods, and geographical contexts. In addition to taking further electives in a broad range of areas, students will also acquire skills and knowledge in two foundational courses: Academic Writing and Research and Critical Thinking.

Semesters Three through Six: In second year, students take their third foundational course, Research Design and Qualitative Methods. They will also take a number of Required Philosophy courses including Introduction to Modern Philosophy, Ancient and Modern Ethics, and senior seminars in the Analytic and Continental traditions of philosophical thought. Students will have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of Philosophy electives as well as electives from outside the discipline.

Semesters Seven and Eight: In the last year of the program, as students consider the opportunities they will pursue after graduation, they solidify their philosophical expertise and sharpen their professional competence by taking a senior seminar in Metaphilosophy or in one of two seminars dedicated to the social applications and relevance of philosophy. Other Philosophy and non-Philosophy electives are also taken to complete the 40 courses of the degree (of which 20 are in Philosophy).

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: Two courses from the following:

REQUIRED GROUP 2: Four courses from Table I.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table I or Table III.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table III.

REQUIRED:

PROFESSIONAL: Four courses from Table II.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table I, Table III, or Table IV.

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One of the following *:

PROFESSIONAL: One of the following:

PROFESSIONAL: Four courses from Table II.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: Two courses from Table III or Table IV.

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

* Students will complete both PHL 600 and PHL 601. One in 5th & 6th Semester, and the other in 7th & 8th Semester.

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One of the following:

PROFESSIONAL: One of the following:

PROFESSIONAL: Four courses from Table II.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: Two courses from Table III or Table IV.

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Gwen Burrows
Director of Strategic Projects
Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute  

Doug Carr
Assistant Deputy Minister of Negotiations and Reconciliation
Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs  

Joseph Longo
Secondary School Teacher, Toronto  

Joseph Manion
Director of Strategic Program Development
Toronto Employment and Social Services  

Trevor Norris
Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Education
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education  

Lois Pineau
Criminal Defense Lawyer