Elective Modules - Department of Philosophy, University of York

Elective and York Interdisciplinary modules (YIMs)

Philosophy students wishing to take an elective or YIMs module should first check the rules of their programme to see if they are allowed to take electives in other departments. They should then consult the University's Electives page to see who they should contact about elective modules available in other departments. Students who wish to apply for an Elective or York Interdisciplinary Module (YIMS) should apply here.

Students from other departments, if you would like to take an elective module in philosophy, please first check to see if there are any pre-requisites for the module then apply here. You are advised to sign up for the full number of option credits from your own programme initially as places on elective modules will only be confirmed once the availability of places on the module has been established, and the timetable has been released. This is to ensure that students are not signed up for electives which clash with their main timetable.

Philosophy Elective Modules Running in 2024/25:

In principle, any student from any department may enquire about taking a Philosophy module as an elective, provided that their programme allows them to take electives and provided that they meet any prerequisites for the module. Students will not be allowed to take a module that would cause a clash with the modules from their home department(s).

The Philosophy Department is offering the following modules as electives:

First Year

All mainstream first-year modules are recommended to students from all departments as electives:

Semester 1

Knowledge and Perception (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Philosophical Analysis (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Power and Consent (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Semester 2

Ethics (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Free Will (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Reason and Argument (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Second Year

Semester 1

Metaphysics (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Politics and Freedom: Anarchism and Conservatism (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Semester 2

Ethical Theory (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Lived Experiences: An Introduction to Phenomenology (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Philosophy of Mind (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Philosophy of Science (20 credits) is suitable for anyone on a programme studying Natural Science; Cognitive Science; Mathematics.

Third Year

Semester 1

Buddhism as Philosophy (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Mind and Morality (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Philosophy of Christianity (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Philosophy of Physics (20 credits) is recommended to students on a Physics programme.

Semester 2

Cognitive Anomalies, Decision-making, and Democracy (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Foundations of Maths (20 credits) can be taken by any student but is particularly suitable for students studying Maths.

Happiness, Utility and Wellbeing (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Experimental Philosophy: The Psychology of Philosophy (co-taught with Psychology) (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Please note, places on undergraduate modules are subject to a maximum enrolment number.

MA (Masters)

Semester 1

Advanced Topics in Political Philosophy*(20 credits) is suitable for students taking a programme in Law, Politics and Women’s and Gender Studies.

Comparative Analytic Theology* (20 credits) is suitable for students with a relevant background. Please email david.worsley@york.ac.uk to discuss suitability.

Data Privacy Problem Based Learning 1: Government and Health Data* (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Freedom and Metaphysics (20 credits) is suitable for students on any programme.

Freedom, Right, and Revolution (20 credits) is suitable for students taking a Politics programme.

Medieval Jewish Philosophy (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Thinking About Happiness (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Semester 2

Advanced Topics in Ethics (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Data Privacy Problem Based Learning 2: Surveillance Capitalism* (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Fictionalism (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Science-Engaged Analytic Theology (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students with a background in Psychology or Physics.

Social Justice and Political Economy (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students studying Law or Politics.

Time, Tense, and Existence (20 credits) is suitable for students who have studied philosophy at undergraduate level or with a background in theoretical parts of linguistics, physics, or psychology.

Truth (20 credits) is suitable as an elective for students on any programme.

Please note, the availability of each MA option module is subject to both a minimum and a maximum enrolment number. However, the modules marked with an * are guaranteed to run. Please submit your elective request as soon as you can.

York Interdisciplinary Modules Running in 2024/25:

York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) offer students the opportunity to work collaboratively to develop key skills and competencies in working across disciplinary boundaries on contemporary local, regional and global sustainability challenges. The modules will be taught by a range of academics to provide different disciplinary perspectives on specific topics of focus. They will also give students the opportunity to work in teams with students studying on other programmes from across the University.

After a successful first semester, with the Sustainability Clinic winning a Green Gown Award for Student Engagement, Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) is offering the following suite of sustainability-related YIMs for the academic year 2024/25:

Future of Food (year 2, semester 2)
Climate Crisis Action Lab (year 3, semester 2)
Sustainability Clinic (year 3, semester 1)
Sustainability Clinic (year 3, semester 2)
Sustainability Clinic (Masters, semester 2)
Sustainability and Policy (year 3, semester 2)

Students should apply to take YIMs using the usual electives process in their Department/ School. Students should contact the module convenors listed on the module catalogue with any questions about the module and esay@york.ac.uk with any questions about the process.