BA Philosophy and History

Philosophy and History offer a particularly rewarding combination of subjects within the humanities. Together, they allow you to develop complementary skills. They intersect at the deep conceptual issues that underlie our understanding of history: for example, should history be understood as development, as progress, or rather as a meaningless struggle for power by interested parties? The answer to such questions is crucial to the problem of how we understand ourselves.

UEA is a particularly good place to combine the two subjects. UEA's School of History, on the one hand, comprises one of the largest concentrations of historians in the UK. Philosophers at UEA, on the other hand, are particularly interested in the history of ideas, both in teaching and research.

Course Structure Year 1

The first year of the Philosophy and History course is structured to ensure that study and key skills are acquired, thus enabling students to benefit fully from the rest of the course. The three first year modules in philosophy aim to give students a knowledge of a range of traditional philosophical problems; some knowledge of the history of the subject, from Plato through to the 21st century; and some basic skills in reasoning, logic, and the close reading of philosophical and non-philosophical texts. This threefold basis equips students to tackle any Level 2 module. Three history modules are taken in the first year: the first provides an introduction to mediaeval history of Britain and Europe, the second to the early modern history of the period 1500-1750, while students can choose their third history module from either History in the Environment or The Holocaust and History. This establishes a foundation for Honours level study in years 2 and 3.

Year 2 and Year 3

In their second year, students are required to take two history modules to the value of 40 credits, two philosophy modules to the value of 40 credits, and have 40 credits’ worth of free choice modules. In their third year, students take 60 credits of history modules and 60 credits of philosophy modules. The compulsory module PHI2A31/3A31 Philosophy of History must be taken in either the second or third year, depending upon which year it is taught. In their final year a suitably qualified student may substitute for one taught module a module in which they are supervised to write a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choosing and approved by the school in question. The dissertation module is available in either history or philosophy. In each semester of the second year there is a module allowing for semester-long study abroad through the ERASMUS scheme. Typically, students have between six and nine ‘contact hours’ per week, depending on their choice of modules. But of course they have to spend considerably more time in private study – preparing for seminars, writing assignments, doing background reading, revising for examinations, and so on. Each semester, students can expect to spend up to 35 hours per week on academic activities.

Teaching and Assessment

Philosophy thrives on discussion and exchange of views. Only some parts of it can be done in large lecture classes. So we do have some of those—but when we do, they are designed to set you thinking, not to tell you facts. It's about learning how to think, and how to express what you think, not learning what to say. All the units have small group seminars or tutorials in which you work on the problems with a member of staff.

During the year your written work is marked by the seminar tutors. They give you comments and feedback to help you improve. Time is set aside for you to call on the lecturers to discuss your work or to get individual guidance. Assessment is by a mixture of essays, longer projects or dissertation, and examinations. Each unit has its own mix of assessment. The degree result is calculated from the results of all the units in your final two years. You can find more information on the modules available on this course on the 'Course Profile' page.

Course Organiser:Dr. Jeremy Goodenough

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Entry Requirements A Level: AAB - ABB including a B grade in History International Baccalaureate: 33-32 points overall including 5 in Higher Level History Scottish Highers: Must have Advanced Higher in History Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB-ABB including a B grade in History Irish Leaving Certificate: AAAABB- AABBBB including a B grade in History Access Course: Please contact the university for further information. HND: Please contact the university for further information. European Baccalaureate: 80-75% including History Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing with no less than 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 20 in Reading and Speaking components, 19 in Writing component and 17 in Listening components.
• PTE: 62 overall (minimum 55 in Reading and Writing components with no less than 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The School does not currently interview all applicants for undergraduate entry as standard, however we may interview mature students, those returning to study or applicants with alternative qualifications. All applicants who are made an offer are given the opportunity to meet with an academic on a Visit Day in order to gain a deeper insight into the course(s) you have applied for.

Gap Year

We welcome applications for deferred entry, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Special Entry Requirements

As part of the A level entry requirements, you should have at least a grade B in A level History. Students taking the International Baccalaureate will be expected to have a minimum of 5 in Higher Level History.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact university directly for further information.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at grade C or above.

Assessment

For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference.

We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating to your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.

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‘What makes a stuffed shark a work of art?'

‘Is morality just a matter of taste?’

‘Is everything we do determined by our genes and our environment, or do we have genuine free will?’

‘Is it possible to prove (or to disprove) the existence of God?’

‘Can I know that what I take to be the real world is not just an illusion (as in The Matrix)?’

‘What's the difference between a logical argument and an illogical one?’

‘Is my mind the same thing as my brain, or does my mind have a non-physical aspect?’

‘Can machines think?’

‘Are there any good arguments against cloning people?’

Degrees in philosophy are designed to make you think. They tend to include a mixture of historical reflection—exploring questions that earlier philosophers have raised and testing the value of their answers—and cutting-edge work on questions that seem new and theories that seem fashionable. In fact the history often shows that the new theories have an interesting past as well.

Philosophy also requires an acute and critical mind. You don't just muse on possible answers to the questions: you challenge them. You demonstrate that some answers can't be right. This requires strict and rigorous reasoning.

Because of this rigour and logical precision, a degree in philosophy delivers powerful intellectual strengths, comparable with the outcomes of a science degree, but combined with the sensitivity and well-developed communication skills typical of an arts degree.

UniStats Information Fees and Funding University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU Students

Further information on fees and funding for 2012 can be found here

University Fees and Financial Support: International Students

The University will be charging International students £11,700.00 for all full time School of Philosophy undergraduate programmes which start in 2012.

Please click to access further information about fees and funding for International students