Philosophy

Department of Philosophy

The postgraduate programmes in Philosophy are generally related to continental philosophy and applied ethics.

In keeping with existing agreements with foreign universities (for example the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium and a number of Dutch universities), international students are allowed to follow substitute modules at Stellenbosch while remaining enrolled at their home university. Similarly, students from Stellenbosch may follow modules at selected foreign universities.

areas of specialisation include -

Applied Ethics

The PGDip (Applied Ethics) is a one year part-time programme. A university degree is required to apply. Four modules are offered. Classes are offered in two two-week lecture series, one at the end of January and one at the end of July. For assessment students write tests and do assignments. The programme prepares students for more advanced research programmes in applied ethics, such as the MPhil (Applied Ethics) offered by this department.

The one-year MPhil (Applied Ethics) partly taught programme offers students in applied ethics the opportunity of specialisation in biomedical ethics, environmental ethics or business ethics. Students who are accepted into this programme normally have a BA Honours degree in Philosophy or any B degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Ethics (thus at least 4 years of training).

Students who have completed a degree of four or more years and who do not have a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Ethics may be allowed into the programme if they can offer proof of philosophy and/or ethics training acceptable to the Department. Students do not have to reside on campus, but are required to attend two intensive contact sessions at the beginning of each semester. Thereafter a thesis is required that counts 50% of the final mark.

Please note: This programme is only offered every two years. The next intake will be for the 2023 academic year. Consult the Department for more information.

The PhD (Applied Ethics) programme follows on from the MA or MPhil programme at the highest level of academic teaching and research. The programme is completed by way of consultation between supervisor and student, and residency is not required.

Philosophy

The BAHons (Philosophy) is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme. It consists of four fully taught modules and one module devoted to a supervised research project. Class attendance for the taught modules is compulsory.

The MA (Philosophy) programme offers a taught option and a research option. The taught option consists of four taught modules, and a thesis which counts 50% of the final mark. The research option consists of a supervised research project that culminates in a full thesis. Students do not have to reside on campus, but should be readily available for consultation with their lecturers and/or supervisor.

The PhD (Philosophy) programme follows on from the MA or MPhil programme at the highest level of academic teaching and research. The programme is completed by way of consultation between supervisor and student, and residency is not required.