In the fourth year, which is common to philosophy honours and part I of the masters coursework program, students must take
(a) in the first semester, three of the following subjects:
* PHL4820 Logic and language A
* PHL4840 Metaphysics and epistemology A
* PHL4860 Value theory A
* PHL4880 Supervised reading course A
* PHL4900 Problems in contemporary philosophy A
* PHL4940 Contemporary European thought A
(b) in the second semester
* PHL4800 Research paper
and two of the following:
* PHL4950 Logic and language B
* PHL4960 Metaphysics and epistemology B
* PHL4970 Value theory B
* PHL4980 Supervised reading course B
* PHL4990 Problems in contemporary philosophy B
* PHL4920 Contemporary European thought B
* PHL4290 Reading Irigaray
In addition to these formal seminars, there is a weekly research seminar where honours and postgraduate students discuss their current work. Attendance at this research seminar is strongly recommended.
It is possible for part-time students to spread their work for honours over two years, normally by taking an approved twenty-four point selection of the subjects for fourth year in each of the two years. The research paper must in that case be taken in the second of the two years.
Assessment for philosophy honours is based on the year's work, taken as a whole. In arriving at a final grade, however, the department may give greater weight to especially distinguished work - particularly on the research paper - than would result from the allocation of a fixed percentage of marks. The research paper is to be 6000 words. Each of the other fourth-year subjects requires either a 6000-word essay or a 3000-word essay and a 3-hour examination.
The selection of coursework and research paper topics must be approved by the head or the honours coordinator. Except with the special permission of the head, second semester `B' subjects have first-semester `A' subjects as a prerequisite.
Students who intend taking fourth-year honours level subjects should make an appointment with the honours coordinator to discuss their plans. More detailed information on fourth-year level subjects is available at the beginning of each year.