COURSE CURRICULUM

The three-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Philosophy at Cape Breton University is structured to develop strong skills in critical thinking, logic, ethics, and the analysis of fundamental questions about human existence, knowledge, and values. In the first year, students take introductory philosophy courses along with general arts electives, focusing on basic areas such as logic, ethics, and major philosophical ideas while building skills in argumentation, reading, and analytical writing. The second year introduces more focused study of core philosophical traditions, including ancient, modern, and contemporary philosophy, as well as topics such as metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy, and applied ethics, helping students understand how philosophical ideas develop and interact. The third year moves into advanced and specialized courses where students engage with complex philosophical debates, deeper theoretical analysis, and topic-based seminars in areas such as ethics, philosophy of mind, knowledge, and social and political thought. Across all three years, students are trained to think clearly, construct logical arguments, and evaluate different viewpoints critically. The curriculum emphasizes reading primary texts, discussion-based learning, and analytical writing. Overall, the program prepares graduates for careers or further study in law, education, public policy, writing, business, and other fields that require strong reasoning, communication, and problem-solving skills.