The Department of Philosophy was founded at the College in 1974 to provide a subject programme in Philosophy for the newly established B.Ed. Today the Department of Philosophy continues to offer Philosophy in the B.Ed. Degree programmes, as well as offering opportunities for post-graduate study in Philosophy (by research and thesis) leading to postgraduate degrees. The Department also offers a tau
ght MA in Philosophy and Literature, in conjunction with the Department of English and a Structured PhD in Philosophy of Art and Culture, in conjunction with the Department of Philosophy NUI Galway and the History Department, University of Limerick. Our undergraduate degree programme consists of a broad and accessible initiation to Philosophy. The Department enjoys an international reputation for research and an excellent teaching record, with members active on a range of national and international bodies. Our dedicated lecturers are here to make your time as a Philosophy student as enjoyable as possible. As such, our department provides a supportive and friendly environment for students, with a distinctive range of courses and extra-curricular activities. Our programme is structured to provide students with the skills necessary to appreciate more fully the central concerns of human existence and to develop abilities in problem-solving, communication, persuasion, writing, and critical thinking. Students, along with parents and friends, often assume that the only undergraduates who study philosophy are those who intend to pursue degrees in philosophy, theology and law. The breadth of skills developed, however, makes the study of philosophy appropriate for students entering professional fields such as health care, media, publishing, business and education, and for those preparing for postgraduate work in the humanities or the social sciences.
