Undergraduate Studies


Why Study Philosophy?

What is truth?  How can we lead a happy life? Does God exist? What does it mean to call something good or bad? Philosophy explores the big questions that humans have been asking for centuries.

The Philosophy major analyses these questions by putting them in their historical and conceptual contexts. It pays particular attention to how political, cultural and religious processes reflect the way we understand our societies and ourselves.

The Philosophy major trains students to develop their analytical skills. Study in Philosophy will give a graduate confidence to engage with the arguments of others and to put forward their own perspective. Such a life-skill can be applied in a wide variety of professions such as teaching, business, law, policy development, and public service.

Philosophy Major (8 standard units of study or 80 credit points)

Students undertaking a Bachelor of Arts Philosophy Major at Western Sydney University study a Required Core of four subjects:

Level 1: 101918.1 Introduction to Philosophy
Level 1: 101915.1 Ethics and Philosophy
Level 2: 102571.1 Thinkers that Changed the World
Level 3: 102570.1 Books that Changed how We Think

In order to complete the major, students then add four units from the units listed in the Handbook with no fewer than two level 3 units.

Philosophy Sub-Major (4 standard units of study or 40 credit points)

To complete a sub-major in Philosophy, students must complete 40 credit points (4 standard units of study). At least two units must come from the four core units listed above, and two others from the unit listed in the Handbook at least one unit must be at level 3.

The Philosophy Major and Sub-Major are offered at Bankstown and Parramatta campuses.

Philosophy Academic Staff


Dr Paul Alberts

(Lecturer)

Diego Bubbio

(Associate Professor)

Chris Fleming

(Associate Professor)

John Hadley

(Senior Lecturer
& Major Convenor)

Mark Kelly
(Associate Professor)

Jennifer Mensch

(Associate Professor)

Dimitris Vardoulakis

(Associate Professor)