Please note:
To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.
Philosophy Honours
This program is for students who are capable of self-direction who wish to pursue advanced work in philosophy with the benefit of individual attention.
Admission Requirements
Entering students must first complete 60 units including 12 upper division philosophy units, and must fulfil the lower division requirements as listed below.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in upper division philosophy courses, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in all philosophy courses, is required for entrance and continuance, but does not by itself guarantee acceptance or continuance.
To enroll, students should write to the Philosophy Department’s Undergraduate Chair, who will provide an application form. The Philosophy Department’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee decides who is admitted to the program.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete the following 15 units by taking all of
An introduction to the theory of deductive reasoning. We consider deductive arguments in philosophy, in everyday life, and in mathematical proofs, and discuss what distinguishes valid inferences from fallacies. The course will cover propositional logic and first-order logic. Open to all students. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Thomas Donaldson |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
D101 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
A survey of some classic texts in the history of philosophy. See the course outline for more detail on the specific figures and themes covered. Open to all students. Students with credit for PHIL 151 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
B100 |
Qiu Lin |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
B101 |
Qiu Lin |
TBD |
A critical overview of recent accounts of the nature and scope of human knowledge and of justified or rational belief, and of philosophical issues that these accounts are intended to address. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 100, 100W, 120, 120W, 121, 144, 150, 151, 300, or COGS 100. Students who have taken PHIL 301 cannot take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Gregory Lauro |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An examination of the major ethical theories, including deontology, consequentialism and virtue ethics. Applications of these theories and related topics in value theory may also be discussed. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 100, 100W, 120, 120W, 121, 144, 150, 151, or 300.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Bruno Guindon |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete at least 48 philosophy upper division units, with a minimum philosophy cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 and philosophy upper division grade point average (UDGPA) of 3.5 (calculated on all SFU PHIL courses), including at least one of
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in social and political philosophy. Contemporary or historical readings or a mixture of these will be used. Possible topics include: justice, the law and legal systems, sovereignty, power and authority, democracy, liberty and equality. Sometimes the course will focus on the views of historically important political philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Bentham, Mill and Marx. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
An advanced investigation of central issues and theories in moral philosophy. In any given term, the course may focus on a general theory or concept or concern, for example meta-ethics, utilitarianism, or theories of rights. Sometimes it will focus on a particular problem or problems, such as medical ethics, moral personhood, or free will and moral responsibility. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in the history of moral or political philosophy. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, and Kant. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 150, 151, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Michaela Manson |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Explores in detail classic problems in the law using the methods and resources of philosophy. Topics may include: problems in professional ethics facing lawyers; philosophical issues in international law and human rights; constitutional interpretation and the philosophy of language; the assessment of evidence and formal epistemology; the intellectual origins of the theory of natural law and natural rights; or others. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Bruno Guindon |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Explores in detail the relationship between the law and theories of justice. Topics range over: the philosophy of punishment, theories of moral responsibility, charter equality rights, and theories of distributive justice. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W. Students with credit for PHIL 333 in Spring 2016 cannot take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Chelsea Rosenthal |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in normative or meta-ethics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 15 upper division PHIL units. It is strongly recommended that students in PHIL 421W have taken prior courses in moral theory. Writing.
and at least one of
An exploration of philosophical issues concerning, e.g.: causation, time, modality, or the self; the realism/nominalism or realism/idealism debate; relativism; the concept of truth; naturalized epistemology; global epistemological skepticism or perhaps a 'local' form of skepticism such as skepticism about induction or about sensory belief. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: PHIL 201 or 203.
A study of the nature of scientific enquiry, classificatory systems, laws and theories, the role of observation in science, the demarcation between science and non-science, causality, the status of theoretical constructs, and teleological explanation. Prerequisite: Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100, 100W, or 300, and COGS 200.
An introduction to the major philosophic theories of language. Topics to be considered include the relationship between language and mind, language and the world, language and society. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100, 100W, or 300, and COGS 200.
A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in metaphysics or epistemology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 15 upper division PHIL units. It is strongly recommended that students in PHIL 455W have taken prior courses in metaphysics and epistemology. Writing.
and at least two of
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in the history of moral or political philosophy. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, and Kant. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 150, 151, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Michaela Manson |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Examines central philosophical themes and figures in ancient philosophy. Topics may include justice, knowledge, the good life, time, change, appearance and reality, the nature of God, and others. Historical readings will be the central focus and may include works by Plato, Aristotle, Thales, Anaximander, Pythagoras, Parmenides and others. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315).
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Nicolas Fillion |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An examination of some central issues in 17th century philosophy. Themes may include: changing theories of causation, of the mind, and of the relation between mind and world. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Descartes, Elisabeth of Bohemia, Malebranche, Spinoza, Leibniz, and Locke. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315). Students who have completed PHIL 353 or PHIL 354 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.
An examination of some central issues of 18th century philosophy. Themes may include the development of the theory of ideas and epistemology associated with it. The primary focus may include important figures such as Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Condillac. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315). Students with credit for PHIL 355 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.
An examination of some major figures in 19th century philosophy. Themes may include German idealism and romanticism, British idealism, positivism and American pragmatism; studied figures may include Schopenhauer, Fichte, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Comte, Kierkegaard, Brentano, Meinong, Mill, Peirce and James, depending on theme. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315).
A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in the history of philosophy. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 15 upper division PHIL units. It is highly recommended that students in PHIL 451W have taken prior courses in the history of philosophy. Writing.
and
An advanced, in-depth seminar on a contemporary or historical philosophical topic. Required for all students in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 15 upper division PHIL units or permission from the instructor. Students not in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program can take PHIL 467W only with special permission from the instructor. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Bruno Guindon |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
In PHIL 479, each student will take a paper they wrote in a previous course (typically a 400- or 800-level seminar) and develop it into an honours thesis, supervised by the instructor of the previous course. Students may not enroll in PHIL 479 until a faculty member has agreed to supervise them. PHIL 479 is required for completion of the program, honours in philosophy. Prerequisite: Enrolled in the philosophy honours program. Students who have taken PHIL 477 or PHIL 478 first may not then take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
. Faculty |
TBD |
PHIL 300 may not be used to satisfy the upper division requirements of this program.
Each student’s upper division philosophy courses should include at least four 400- or 800-level courses, including both of PHIL 467W and PHIL 479.
In PHIL 479, the student will work with a faculty supervisor to write an honours thesis. This will normally be a development of a paper previously written for a 400- or 800-level philosophy seminar, though in exceptional circumstances a paper from a 300-level philosophy course can be used. Optionally, PHIL 479 will culminate in a public presentation of the honours thesis, with audience Q & A.
* unless counted as a history stream requirement
** must complete with a grade B or higher
Honours in Philosophy: Concentration in Law and Philosophy
A cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in upper division philosophy courses, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in all philosophy courses, is required for entrance and continuance, but does not by itself guarantee acceptance or continuance.
To enroll, students should write to the Philosophy Department’s Undergraduate Chair, who will provide an application form. The Philosophy Department’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee decides who is admitted to the program.
Students may qualify for this concentration by completing the philosophy honours lower division requirements listed above and the following upper division requirements.
Students must complete at least 48 philosophy upper division units, with a minimum philosophy cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 and philosophy cumulative upper division grade point average (UDGPA) of 3.5 (calculated on all SFU PHIL courses), including
Explores in detail classic problems in the law using the methods and resources of philosophy. Topics may include: problems in professional ethics facing lawyers; philosophical issues in international law and human rights; constitutional interpretation and the philosophy of language; the assessment of evidence and formal epistemology; the intellectual origins of the theory of natural law and natural rights; or others. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Bruno Guindon |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Explores in detail the relationship between the law and theories of justice. Topics range over: the philosophy of punishment, theories of moral responsibility, charter equality rights, and theories of distributive justice. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W. Students with credit for PHIL 333 in Spring 2016 cannot take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Chelsea Rosenthal |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and at least two of
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in social and political philosophy. Contemporary or historical readings or a mixture of these will be used. Possible topics include: justice, the law and legal systems, sovereignty, power and authority, democracy, liberty and equality. Sometimes the course will focus on the views of historically important political philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Bentham, Mill and Marx. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
An advanced investigation of central issues and theories in moral philosophy. In any given term, the course may focus on a general theory or concept or concern, for example meta-ethics, utilitarianism, or theories of rights. Sometimes it will focus on a particular problem or problems, such as medical ethics, moral personhood, or free will and moral responsibility. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
An examination of an issue or selection of issues in the history of moral or political philosophy. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, and Kant. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 150, 151, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Michaela Manson |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Ethical issues related to public health as they are located in and influenced by a global context. Consideration of several ethical approaches including utilitarianism, deontic ethics, and the capabilities approach, as well as theories of justice. Application of approaches to topics ranging from global markets in human organs to international migration of health workers and pharmaceutical testing in the developing world. Prerequisite: 60 units and one of the following: PHIL 120, PHIL 120W, PHIL 121, PHIL 221, PHIL 270, HSCI 319, SDA 270. PHIL 327 is identical to HSCI 327 and students may not receive credit for both. Students who have completed HSCI 320 or the spring 2011 offering of PHIL 331 may not complete this course for further credit.
A survey of contemporary issues in environmental ethics. Topics may include: animal rights, the intrinsic value of nature, 'deep ecology', obligations to future generations, conservation, environmental justice, as well as relevant background materials in ethical theory. Prerequisite: One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W. Students who have completed PHIL 318 may not take this course for further credit.
A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in normative or meta-ethics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 15 upper division PHIL units. It is strongly recommended that students in PHIL 421W have taken prior courses in moral theory. Writing.
and at least two of
An exploration of philosophical issues concerning, e.g.: causation, time, modality, or the self; the realism/nominalism or realism/idealism debate; relativism; the concept of truth; naturalized epistemology; global epistemological skepticism or perhaps a 'local' form of skepticism such as skepticism about induction or about sensory belief. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: PHIL 201 or 203.
A study of the nature of scientific enquiry, classificatory systems, laws and theories, the role of observation in science, the demarcation between science and non-science, causality, the status of theoretical constructs, and teleological explanation. Prerequisite: Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100, 100W, or 300, and COGS 200.
An introduction to the major philosophic theories of language. Topics to be considered include the relationship between language and mind, language and the world, language and society. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Prerequisite: Either one of: PHIL 201 or 203; or both of PHIL 100, 100W, or 300, and COGS 200.
Examines central philosophical themes and figures in ancient philosophy. Topics may include justice, knowledge, the good life, time, change, appearance and reality, the nature of God, and others. Historical readings will be the central focus and may include works by Plato, Aristotle, Thales, Anaximander, Pythagoras, Parmenides and others. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315).
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Nicolas Fillion |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An examination of some central issues in 17th century philosophy. Themes may include: changing theories of causation, of the mind, and of the relation between mind and world. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Descartes, Elisabeth of Bohemia, Malebranche, Spinoza, Leibniz, and Locke. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315). Students who have completed PHIL 353 or PHIL 354 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.
An examination of some central issues of 18th century philosophy. Themes may include the development of the theory of ideas and epistemology associated with it. The primary focus may include important figures such as Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Condillac. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315). Students with credit for PHIL 355 prior to Fall 2006 may not take this course for further credit.
An examination of some major figures in 19th century philosophy. Themes may include German idealism and romanticism, British idealism, positivism and American pragmatism; studied figures may include Schopenhauer, Fichte, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Comte, Kierkegaard, Brentano, Meinong, Mill, Peirce and James, depending on theme. Prerequisite: One prior philosophy course (not including PHIL 105, PHIL 110, PHIL 310, PHIL 314, or PHIL 315).
A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in the history of philosophy. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 15 upper division PHIL units. It is highly recommended that students in PHIL 451W have taken prior courses in the history of philosophy. Writing.
A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in metaphysics or epistemology. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 15 upper division PHIL units. It is strongly recommended that students in PHIL 455W have taken prior courses in metaphysics and epistemology. Writing.
and
An advanced, in-depth seminar on a contemporary or historical philosophical topic. Required for all students in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 15 upper division PHIL units or permission from the instructor. Students not in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program can take PHIL 467W only with special permission from the instructor. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
Bruno Guindon |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
In PHIL 479, each student will take a paper they wrote in a previous course (typically a 400- or 800-level seminar) and develop it into an honours thesis, supervised by the instructor of the previous course. Students may not enroll in PHIL 479 until a faculty member has agreed to supervise them. PHIL 479 is required for completion of the program, honours in philosophy. Prerequisite: Enrolled in the philosophy honours program. Students who have taken PHIL 477 or PHIL 478 first may not then take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
D100 |
. Faculty |
TBD |
PHIL 300 may not be used to satisfy the upper division requirements of this program.
Each student’s upper division philosophy courses should include at least four 400- or 800-level courses, including both of PHIL 467W and PHIL 479.
In PHIL 479, the student will work with a faculty supervisor to write an honours thesis. This will normally be a development of a paper previously written for a 400- or 800-level philosophy seminar, though in exceptional circumstances a paper from a 300-level philosophy course can be used. Optionally, PHIL 479 will culminate in a public presentation of the honours thesis, with audience Q & A.
* must complete with a grade B or higher
Seminars and Special Topics Courses
A student may not enroll in a philosophy seminar or selected topics course which duplicates work for which the student has received credit in another philosophy seminar or special topics course.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Honours Degree Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) honours programs, students complete at least 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at Simon Fraser University
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- students complete at least 60 upper division units, which must include at least 48 units in upper division courses in a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program; no more than 15 upper division units that have been transferred from another institution can be used toward this requirement
- at least 60 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- students complete lower division requirements for at least one Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program
- students are required to achieve an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0, and an honours program CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each) |
|
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division: Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc |
6 |
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.