SOAS University of London

MA Global Philosophy

Familiarity with a diverse range of thinkers, texts and intellectual traditions from different periods and cultures, from the ancient world to the present day, including texts and thinkers from both the Global South and North; The cultural, historical, political, social and environmental contexts in which traditions of intellectual thought arise and interact with the contemporary world.

The macro-historical factors (such as empire, processes of globalisation, capitalism, and intercultural exchange) that have facilitated the transnational circulation and transformation of ideas;

• The problems and possibilities inherent in philosophical interpretation and (un)translatability
• Traditions of intellectual thought and the history of ideas, globally conceived
• Critical theory and its applications, understood within its historical contexts and contemporary manifestations
• The study of philosophical ideas and traditions in relation to other disciplines
• A recognition of the value of philosophy for contributing to the practical resolution of global challenges and possibilities

Listening to and absorbing the oral transmission of complex ideas; Careful reading of philosophical works and theoretical material; Reflecting clearly and critically on oral and written sources, using powers of analysis and imagination; Marshalling a complex body of information and constructing cogent arguments on the basis of that material;

• Remembering relevant material and bringing it to mind when needed
• Constructing cogent arguments that have a strongly applied basis
• Formulating independent ideas and defending them in a plausible manner

Enhanced skills in the close critical analysis of philosophical texts; A critical understanding of transcultural modes of reception and circulation of ideas) Improved intercultural competencies; Informed critical understanding of the variety of methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of global philosophy; Ability to articulate knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories relating to the study of variety of philosophical traditions; Sensitivity to the challenges of comparative and cross-cultural analysis; Sensitivity to the problems of translation and cultural difference; Well-developed language use and awareness, including a grasp of standard critical terminology; Articulate responsiveness to a variety of cultural and historical forms of philosophical reflection; Familiarity with state-of-the-art debates concerning decolonial praxis in Philosophy Appropriate scholarly practice in the presentation of formal written work, in particular in bibliographic and annotational practices; Understanding of how cultural norms, assumptions and practices influence philosophical reflections; Appreciation of the value of collaborative intellectual work in developing critical judgement.

Developed powers of communication and the capacity to argue a point of view, orally and in written form, with clarity, organisation and cogency; Enhanced confidence in the efficient presentation of ideas designed to stimulate critical debate; Enhanced skills in critical analyses; The ability to assimilate and organise substantial quantities of complex information of diverse kinds; Developed ability in thematic and/or specialist expertise in the field of global philosophies; Competence in the planning and execution of essays and project-work; Enhanced capacity for independent thought, intellectual focus, reasoned judgement, and self-criticism; Enhanced skills in collaborative intellectual work, including more finely tuned listening and communication skills; The ability to understand, interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical positions and weigh the importance of alternative perspectives; Research skills, including information retrieval skills and data analysis; IT skills: media-based skills.

Students must complete 120 credits of MA taught modules in addition to the compulsory dissertation (60 credits) as outlined below.

Core

• Dissertation in Global Philosophy - 60 credits

Compulsory

This module aims to provide students with an engaging professional context and project brief to support the development of their MA Dissertation in Global Philosophy. The proposed module serves as a compulsory component of the MA in Global Philosophy programme, insofar as it provides students with a series of bespoke topic masterclasses and research and communication skill sessions that are designed to facilitate their writing a Master's level dissertation on global philosophy from an explicitly applied perspective. The first half of the weeks of study focuses on a series of masterclasses on matters pertaining to advanced research skills, communication literacies, and philosophies of praxis, with members of the core academic team delivering the MA Global Philosophy programme. The second half of the weeks of study involves students individually presenting draft projects on one applied global philosophical theme/issue that is intimately connected to their respective MA dissertations. Each student will receive detailed and constructive critical feedback from their peers and a member of the MA Global Philosophy core team. In this way, the module, crucially, serves as an environment for students to directly collaborate, to provide peer-to-peer support, and develop networking skills in addition to refining their research skill proficiencies.

• Applied Global Philosophy: Engaging the Contemporary World - 15 credits
• Philosophy in Global Perspective - 15 credits
• Thinking Across Borders - 15 credits

Guided Options - List A

• 30-45 credits from List A
• 731 How to Change Things - 15 credits
• Transnationalising Queer, Trans and Disability Studies - 15 credits
• Reconfiguring Global History - 15 credits
• Law, Environment and Social Justice - 15 credits
• Political Concepts and Global Crises - 15 credits
• Artificial Intelligence and Human Security - 15 credits
• Reason: Modernity, Postmodernity, and Transmodernity - 15 credits

Guided Options - List B

30-45 credits from List B

• Core Themes and Debates in African Philosophy - 15 credits
  
• East Asian Buddhist Thought - 15 credits
• The Great Tradition of Taoism - 15 credits
• Philosophies of India in Context - 15 credits
• Jewish Thought in its Historical, Political, and Cultural Contexts - 15 credits

In addition to an understanding of global faiths, histories and cultures, graduates from the Department of Religions and Philosophies develop the skills to analyse and communicate ideas in a clear, rational and comprehensive manner. These key proficiencies are valuable in many careers and are transferable to a wide range of sectors and roles.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

• Asia Society
• British Council
• Cabinet Office
• Chatham House
• Edelman
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• HELP USA
• King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Princeton University
• Royal Government of Cambodia
• The Happiness Factory
• The Inter Faith Network for the UK
• The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
• UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
• United Nations Development Programme