Admissions - Subjects Admissions - Subjects
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These notes describe the admissions procedure and the teaching of Philosophy at Queens', and should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections of the Cambridge University Undergraduate Prospectus. Philosophy is the study of problems that are fundamental and very general, such as the nature of reality, knowledge, mind, language and value. At Cambridge, it is studied in a manner which lays considerable emphasis on precise and careful argument. In the first year the central elements are metaphysics, ethics, logic and the philosophy of the mind. As the course proceeds, the number of optional elements increases, so that in the third year there are no compulsory subjects and students can study topics from a wide variety of philosophical domains, ranging from philosophy of science to aesthetics, from the history of ancient philosophy to mathematical logic. This is an attractive Arts degree course for training and developing the mind, and philosophy graduates go on to pursue a wide variety of careers. The level of conditional offers is usually three A grades. Most applicants will take A-levels in a range of Arts or Science subjects. The first year of the Tripos is taught on the assumption that students have not done any work in philosophy, but in order to test their interest in, and capacity for, the study of philosophy, the College will want to know what reading has been done in the subject. In addition to interviews, applicants will be given an hour-long written test for which no preparation or philosophical training is required. Applications from mature students and from graduates in other subjects seeking affiliated status (enabling them to read philosophy in two years) are also considered. Queens' normally takes about two or three philosophy applicants a year, but there is no set number of places, and the number of candidates admitted to read philosophy in any particular year depends on the quality of those who apply. The current Director of Studies is Dr Hannah Dawson, a Fellow of the College. Dr Dawson's field of research is the History of Political Philosophy. The standard pattern of College teaching is for students to prepare one essay a week and to be supervised individually. In addition, the Faculty of Philosophy organises a comprehensive programme of lectures. There are also discussion groups for first year students, which provide a good opportunity to discuss philosophy with students from other Colleges. The Faculty building is located conveniently close to Queens’. For further information about the Course view the Faculty website: www.phil.cam.ac.uk
January 2004 |