Bachelor degree programme in Philosophy
Study Plan – 3 years – 180 points (ECTS)

1. Programme coordinator
Philosophy Institute – Social Sciences Faculty, University of Tromsø.

2. Admission requirement
University admission certification.

3. Language of instruction
Norwegian.

4. Application deadline: 15. April

5. Qualification awarded
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

6. Programme description
Philosophy is in a position to speak to the individual’s experience, in the same way as good literature does. It supports the individual student in his/her search for clarity, oversight and context in his/her own life and way of life. However, philosophy does not provide the solutions to the problems of existence, but rather a way of understanding their scope and character, and of becoming involved in their analysis. Philosophy poses critical questions to what is customary and places problems in new and unusual contexts. It seeks answers concerning the nature of knowledge, what it means to know something, how we obtain knowledge and how we can decide what is true or untrue. Philosophy seeks further the possibility of being able to discover what is right or wrong, what makes a good society, and how we should live.

When the philosopher relates to the fundamental issues within the individual fields of knowledge, different philosophical subjects will be useful support subjects within a series of academic fields within humanities, social science and science.

The study of Philosophy is primarily a continuation and specialization within the issues and educational aids encountered by students in the examen philosophicum, examen facultatum and introductory subject in Philosophy.

7. Competence objectives
The bachelor degree study programme in Philosophy provides the basis for the two-year master’s degree study programme in Philosophy and this, in turn, paves the way for a full research training, normally four years, culminating in a doctoral degree.

Philosophers have traditionally been linked to teaching and research within their own academic area. But philosophy’s wondering and critical look at humanity, society and the world in a cultural historical context has opened up completely different job possibilities within cultural and society life. In addition, the work with analytical thinking, in formulating assumptions and taking the consequences, seeing problems and possible solutions, has rendered this study useful in many contexts. Philosophers are to be found in most areas of the cultural sector, the media, press and publishing professions, museum and library work, state and regional administration and now also, increasingly, within the private business sector.

The bachelor degree may also count as part of the pedagogic training that is used within the education sector.

8. Subject organization
In the bachelor degree study programme in Philosophy, a minimum of 90 points (ECTS) must come from subjects in Philosophy, aside from the first semester’s study programme. The additional 60 points are subsidiary subjects from other academic fields. (See an exception to this rule concerning study abroad.)

Of the 90 points in Philosophy, 50 of these points constitute a compulsory section (FIL 1001-1004). These are concerned with the history of philosophy, reflections on science, moral and political thinking, and logic and logical thinking. These subjects do not require any specific previous knowledge, but before proceeding to examinations in these collected four beginners’ subjects, the first semester study programme (i.e. examen philosophicum, examen facultatum and an introductory subject) must have been completed.

In addition to the compulsory subjects that form a common basis in the study programme, a minimum additional 40 free choice points in Philosophy must be included, which are chosen according to the area within philosophy in which a student wishes to specialize. Of the courses FIL-1051, 1052 and 1053, only course 1051 may be included as a free choice subject in Philosophy. The two other subjects should be viewed as subsidiary subjects. Among the 40 points from free choice subjects, at least two subjects from FIL-2000 level must be included.

No specific requirements are attached to the additional 60 points that make up this study programme, but it is assumed that they will naturally support the direction chosen in the bachelor degree study programme.

Students wishing to work in the education sector are recommended to include another teaching subject to the value of 60 study points as subsidiary subjects (subject group). The study programme will then award teaching competence in two fields. Practical pedagogic training must be undertaken after the bachelor/master’s degree study programme.

As a rule, all subjects will extend through the entire semester, i.e. several subjects are studied simultaneously.

9. Student exchange
Arrangements have been made for students to be able to study Philosophy for one semester at a foreign academic institution during their fifth semester of study. These 30 study points may either be counted as part of the 90 points in Philosophy or be counted in addition. In the latter case, the Philosophy subjects will amount to 120 points.
The Philosophy Institute is in discussion concerning student exchange with the following academic institutes:

10. Teaching and examination procedures
Teaching procedures: the Philosophy subjects are taught in the form of lectures, seminars and group teaching, including essay writing, student contribution and project work.
Evaluation procedures: primarily short essays, orals and some use of invigilated examinations.

Subjects from other academic fields (subsidiary subjects) will have a variety of teaching and examination procedures, such as lectures, seminars, colloquia and essays, portfolio assessment and invigilated examinations.

Resit examinations will be discussed separately in the individual course plans.

A grading scale is used incorporating five levels of pass (A-E) and F (fail), or pass/fail.