VQ72 Philosophy and Literature
This course is designed in such a way that over the full period of your studies you will have some choice of how to allot your time across the two disciplines, with a minimum distribution of roughly 10% of your time in combined study of Philosophy and Literature and at least 30% of your time in each of Philosophy and English Literature. There is also an option in your final year to study in another discipline. The major part of the ‘combined’ study, which is the distinctive feature of the Warwick degree, is concerned to examine texts that are simultaneously of philosophical and literary interest, some prescribed and some chosen in your third year for an independent research project. Descriptions of individual modules can be found on the module catalogue.
First Year
In your first year, you must take a set of compulsory core modules. The core first-year modules are:
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PH107 Problems in Philosophy and Literature (jointly taught by Philosophy and English in Autumn Term, 15 CATS)
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EN122 Modes of Reading (Full Year, 30 CATS)
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PH133 Introduction to Philosophy (with Logic): (Full Year, 30 CATS)
In addition, you should take a total of 45 CATS of optional modules chosen from the below list.
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EN101 Epic into Novel (Full Year, 30 CATS)
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EN121 Medieval and Early Modern Literature (Full Year, 30 CATS)
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EN123 Modern World Literatures(Full Year, 30 CATS)
- PH140 Ancient Philosophy (Autumn Term, 15 CATS)
- PH146 Reason Argument and Analysis (Autumn Term, 15 CATS)
- PH148 Philosophy for the Real World: Knowledge, Ignorance and Bullshit (Autumn Term, 15 CATS)
- PH143 Existence, Experience History: Key Topics in Continental Philosophy (Spring Term, 15 CATS)
- PH150 World Philosophies(Spring Term, 15 CATS)
Note that Ancient Philosophy and Epic to Novel are both options engaging specifically with the Classical world, which some Phil/Lit students have found particularly valuable.
Second Year
In your second year you must take the following core module:
- PH201 History of Modern Philosophy (30 CATS)
You should then select options distributed in the following way:
Third Year
In the final year, there are no core modules. Students should select optional modules totalling 120 CATS. Students must select a minimum of 30 CATS from the Philosophy Department and must select a minimum of 30 CATS from the English Department. At least a further 30 CATS must come from either the Philosophy of English Department. Up to 30 CATS may come another department in the University if you wish.*
In particular, students may wish to consider taking the following co-supervised modules:
- PH385 Philosophy and Literature Dissertation (30 CATS)
- PH386 Philosophy and Literature Independent Project (15 CATS)
Students may also wish to take PH384 Topics in Philosophy and Literature as an optional module in years 2 or 3 (not running in 2022-23).
*Permission to take modules outside of the Philosophy Department must be sought from the Department offering the module before you register for it on eVision. Details of how and when to sign up for external modules can usually be found on that Department's website. If in doubt please contact the Department's Undergraduate Office who will be able to advise you of their sign up processes.