COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA Philosophy and Linguistics degree combines the study of philosophical inquiry with the scientific analysis of language, exploring how language, thought, and society intersect. In the first year, students are introduced to key areas in both disciplines, examining morality, justice, mind, and belief in philosophy while developing foundational skills in phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and discourse in linguistics. They also learn to write to academic and professional standards and develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills. In the second year, students build on these foundations, taking modules in philosophy of language, moral and political philosophy, and optional modules across other philosophical areas, while in linguistics they study advanced topics such as sociolinguistics, stylistics, language acquisition, and discourse. This year further develops independence, research skills, and critical reflection. In the final year, students engage deeply with current research in both disciplines. Core modules include Philosophy in Practice, which applies philosophical knowledge to real-world ethical or social problems, and Working with Linguistic Data, focusing on data collection, analysis, and presentation for professional contexts. Optional modules allow exploration of specialist areas, and students may undertake a dissertation in philosophy or linguistics. Graduates gain skills in research, critical thinking, and communication, equipping them for careers in policy, communication, education, and beyond.