Philosophy

• Coursework Requirement: 3 Courses or 9 AUS 
• Submit a Thesis before graduation.
• Students on scholarship will usually submit their thesis one year before the maximum period of candidature. 

MA students are required to take three (3) courses, must complete a thesis (maximum of 30,000 words).

• Coursework Requirement: 6 Courses or 18 AUs 
• Submit a Thesis before graduation 
• Students on scholarship will usually submit their thesis one year before the maximum period of candidature. 

PhD students are required to take six (6) courses. PhD students will be encouraged to take courses in natural sciences, social sciences, and other disciplines in the humanities. Students’ thesis projects must be alongside the strengths of the faculty; each PhD student will also be required to develop a secondary area of competency besides their thesis area.  

Upon completion of the coursework, and before writing the thesis, PhD students need to present both a thesis prospectus (approximately 5,000 words) and a secondary area research report (approximately 5,000 words) to a philosophy graduate studies committee for approval. The secondary area research report should demonstrate the student’s competency in an area of philosophy beside his or her thesis area. Both the thesis prospectus and the secondary area research report need to be completed within 18 months after entering the programme. The study is consummated with the submission of a thesis of between 30,000-85,000 words and a successful oral defense. 

HY7001 Graduate Seminar I (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

This is Part One of a two-semester sequential course that encompasses two important components. 1) it introduces students to conducting research in philosophy. It covers such issues as “What constitutes research in philosophy?” “What are good examples of philosophical research?” “How to identify research topics?” “How to select reading material?” and “What are the steps to getting a philosophical paper published?” The instructor will lead students to examine various aspects of philosophical research. 2), the course surveys a few key texts in metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of language. A detailed research proposal is required at the end of the course.

HY7002 Graduate Seminar II (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

This is Part Two of a two-semester sequential course that encompasses two important components. 1) it introduces students to techniques and strategies for conducting research in philosophy. It examines such issues as “What constitutes research in philosophy?” “What are good examples of philosophical research?” “How should one identify research topics?” “How should one select reading material?” and “What are the steps to getting a philosophical paper published?” The instructor will have the students examine various aspects of philosophical research. 2) the course surveys a few key texts in ethics, social and political philosophy, philosophy of science, and Chinese philosophy. A research paper is required at the end of the course.

HY7004 Special Topics in Moral Philosophy (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

This course focuses on selected topics in moral philosophy, from ancient to contemporary. Topics may vary depending on instructors. It may cover both metaethics and normative ethics. Students will conduct in-depth reading of selected material and become familiar with related subjects. A final paper is required.

HY7005 Special Topics in Chinese Philosophy (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

This course focuses on selected topics in Chinese philosophy, especially those during the pre-Qin period. Topics may vary depending on instructors. The course is conducted in English, though Chinese terminologies are introduced. Inthis course, students will conduct in-depth reading of selected material and become familiar with related subjects. A final paper is required.

HY7006 Special Topics in Social and Political Philosophy (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

This course focuses on selected topics on social and political philosophy, from ancient to contemporary. Topics may vary depending on instructors. Students will conduct in-depth reading of selected material and become familiar with related subjects. A research paper is required.

HY7007 Special Topics in Philosophy of Science (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

This course focuses on selected topics in the philosophy of science, with a focus on the 20th century. Topics may vary depending on instructors. Students will conduct in-depth reading of selected material and become familiar with related subjects. A research paper is required.

HY7008 Special Topics in Philosophy (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

This course focuses on selected topics in philosophy, from ancient to contemporary, and in any sub-field of philosophy. Topics may vary depending on instructors. It may cover specialized subjects that are not covered in other courses, which may include, but is not limited to, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language, logic, aesthetics, and history of philosophy. Students will conduct in-depth reading of selected material and become familiar with related subjects. A final paper is required.

Pre-requisites: nil

This course is designed to provide students with an individualized course of reading that goes beyond the existing graduate courses. Specific contents of the course may vary depending on student needs and instructors. In this course, students are expected to read assigned material thoroughly under the guidance of their supervisor and to develop research projects.

HY7012 Independent Study for Thesis Preparation (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

This course provides students with an opportunity to engage in independent research related to their proposed thesis. The content and requirements of each Independent Study module are determined by the appointed supervisor and the student, depending on their area of interests. In this course, students are expected to develop a reading list under the guidance of their supervisor, to read widely both primary and secondary material, and to write a thesis outline as preparation for the thesis.

HY7013 Independent Study on Special Topics (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

This course allows students to engage in in-depth study of a philosophical subject chosen by the teaching faculty member. Assessment of this course include reading reports, face-to-face discussion, and research papers.

HY7021 Directed Reading in Philosophy II (3 AUs)
Pre-requisites: nil

The Division of Philosophy proposes HY7021 Directed Reading in Philosophy II for our MA and PhD programme in Philosophy. The main purpose of this course is for graduate students to focus on a set of individualized readings on an advanced topic in philosophy. These readings will go beyond any existing graduate courses. Specific contents of the course may vary depending upon student needs and faculty areas of specialty. The secondary goal is for students to gain experience with independent research. Students will conduct readings on their own with support from faculty, and write up a significant research paper based upon those readings. 

There is already a course HY7011 Directed Reading in Philosophy, but it can only be taken once for credit. At the graduate level, however, students who are interested in specific research topics that are not covered in existing graduate courses may need to do such a directed reading course more than once. This course is being proposed so that such students will be able to take a second Directed Reading course for credit.