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Part-Time, Distance & Continuing Education

75 University Avenue West | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3385 | Fax: (519) 747-2106 | Email: chooselaurier@wlu.ca

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Philosophy1911-2011 | Wilfrid Laurier University

1911-2011 | Wilfrid Laurier University

Strong rePutAtion

in the 2009 Maclean’s reputational survey, Laurier ranked in the top three in its category nationally for Best overall, Highest Quality,

most innovative and overall reputation.

Much of our time is spent asking about current events and issues

important to the moment, but forgotten with the day’s passing. Philosophy asks questions not only of the moment but also of the year, the century and the whole history of humankind. Questions such as “What and how can we know?”, “Who am I?” and “What is the nature of science, religion and politics?” allow us to locate the lesser and greater matters of the day in an intelligible frame, and facilitate the discussion of such specific issues as abortion, euthanasia, preferential hiring, animal rights and human rights.

The Philosophy Department at Laurier aims to increase the student’s awareness of fundamental questions of belief, attitudes, values and choices of living. Philosophy is a challenging discipline that encourages open-mindedness, independent thinking and the ability to reason critically.

The program aims to promote the growth of this critical ability in the student, an asset in any area of employment or further education. Emphasis is placed on the study of thinkers such as Plato, Hegel, Aristotle, Descartes, Wittgenstein and Habermas, and intellectual currents such as skepticism, existentialism, realism, Marxism, feminism, libertarianism and materialism. Students are exposed to a wide spectrum of competing points of view.

The department emphasizes individu-ality and close student-faculty interaction.

Small class sizes provide opportunity for discussion and exploration of topics. The program is flexible and allows students to combine non-philosophy options with a background in several areas of philosophy.

About the programs Honours BA: The Honours Philosophy program consists of 20 credits (or equiva-lent) normally taken over four years. No more than six credits may be 100-level philosophy credits. The program must include at least 11 but no more than 13 credits in philosophy.

Honours BA Philosophy in combination with another Honours BA: Twenty credits (or equivalent), of which no more than six may be at the 100 level. A minimum of seven credits and a maximum of nine credits may be in philosophy.

Philosophy at Laurier

After visiting several schools, philosophy graduate Stephanie Dewey was drawn to Laurier’s strong sense of community.

“I was impressed by how approachable all the professors were and by the number of diverse opportu-nities to get involved on campus,” she says.

Throughout her time at Laurier, Dewey was involved in many extracurricular activities, including tutoring for the Accessible Learning Centre and volunteering for Laurier Students for Literacy.

Dewey says that philosophy provided her with strong reasoning and writing skills that are assets for any future career.

“The subject matter is challenging and thought-provoking,” she says. “The class sizes are small and allow students to really engage with the material in class discussions. Consequently, professors are able to provide students with more feedback.”

Dewey, who also spent time volunteering with Laurier’s Legal Resources service, is currently attending law school at the University of Toronto.

I was impressed by how approachable all the professors were.

Laurier is celebrating its 100th anniversary as an institution this year!

100 yeArS

Minor in History and Philosophy of Science: HPS is an interdisciplinary programme offering critical insights into the important place of science in our society. We learn to understand science more deeply from historical, philosophical, and other disciplinary perspectives, and consider its many cultural influences. At present we offer a Minor in HPS, in a rare experience that brings both Arts and Science students together in the same classroom.

Co-op at LaurierHonours arts students in co-op complete two work terms of at least 10 weeks each, usually in the summers following their second and third years. Participants receive training in job search techniques and assistance in finding employment related to their studies or career goals.

Why should you consider co-op?• Put theory into action• Apply your technical skills• Clarify your career goals• Develop marketable skills • Gain valuable contacts

recent employers of Philosophy co-op students include:• Doon Heritage Crossroads, Kitchener• Ministry of Government & Consumer Services,

Toronto• Research In Motion, Waterloo• Social Planning Council of Waterloo Region,

Kitchener

the management optionHonours arts students are also eligible for the Management Option. This option will give you fundamental training in key areas of business such as business organization, accounting, marketing, management skills, opera-tions and the fundamentals of finance, macroeconomics and microeconomics, interpersonal communications, business law, personal finance and business management.

For more information on the Management Option, consult the under-graduate calendar at www.wlu.ca/calendars.

Legal Studies optionThe Legal Studies Option is designed to give students an opportunity to study legal topics, theories and methods that are at the intersection of law, politics, business, history, philosophy, gender, justice, human rights and ethics.

Options to enhance your degree

Questions such as, “Is this it?” or “Am I awake or am I dreaming?” may seem frivolous to some, but for philosophers like Descartes, these questions were essential to investigating and discovering the essence of our being and forming an understanding of our perceptions.

For Mike Eby, it was these types of questions that caught his attention.

“I had always enjoyed debating and talking about the bigger questions,” recalls Eby. However, there was more that drew Eby in to the study of philosophy at Laurier.

“The instructors, teaching assistants, material and even fellow students made it very clear, very quickly that this was something I wanted to do for the next four years.”

One of his favourite things about the philosophy program is the ability to learn and criti-cally assess situations that take place in everyday life.

“In life, we’re constantly bombarded by arguments and faced with situations that require us to evaluate and reason,” says Eby. “A degree in philosophy teaches you in a very direct way how to do that.”

Aside from focusing on his studies, Eby is currently working on a proposal to write a book about the transition from high school to university, and will apply to medical and graduate schools after he graduates.

I had always enjoyed debating and talking about the bigger questions.

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Part-Time, Distance & Continuing Education

75 University Avenue West | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3385 | Fax: (519) 747-2106 | Email: chooselaurier@wlu.ca

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What can you do with a degree in Philosophy? A university degree in any discipline will open doors for you. No matter what you study, your degree confirms that you know how to think critically, communicate effec-tively, and analyze a wealth of material and extract what you need from it. These are skills that are valued by any employer. Recent graduates of Laurier’s Philosophy program have pursued careers in a variety of professions, including law, journalism, consulting, advertising and teaching.

Support for gradsAt Laurier, support for our students doesn’t end when we hand them their degree. Our Career Development Centre continues to offer career decision-making, career management and job search services to all our alumni for a lifetime. Alumni are also encouraged to attend workshops and programs offered through the centre, including the largest career fairs and job fairs of their kind in the country, which Laurier co-sponsors.

Sample courses offered Knowledge and Reality

Values and Society

Reasoning and Argumentation

Formal Logic

Ethical Theory

Contemporary Moral Issues

Philosophy of Gender

Indian Philosophy

Philosophy of Religion

The Quest for World Peace

Philosophy of Mind

Feminist Philosophy

Philosophy of Sex, Love and Friendship

Your future starts here

AdmiSSion informAtionfor the most up-to-date information about

admission to Laurier, go to www.wlu.ca/admissions.