International Studies in Philosophy (S1-PRK-ISP)

All tutorials, lectures and exams take place in English. The teaching staff are young, well prepared and have a wealth of teaching experience both within Poland and in other countries.

During the three–year length of First Cycle Studies (BA Programme), ISIP students will obtain a thorough grounding in the current state of research in the various philosophical disciplines. They will also be familiarised with the main historical traditions within European philosophy — with particular attention to analytical philosophy and the Lvov–Warsaw School. The basis for a philosophical education, according to the traditions of that school, lies in ontology and epistemology. Courses in these disciplines provide a broad overview of the world: deeper and more general than that provided by the sciences. Supplemented by courses in the history of philosophy, they make it possible to understand the relations between a manner of living, the dominant intellectual culture and the goals of social elites in various times and societies. Courses in ethics and aesthetics develop an emotional and moral sensitivity. They cultivate respect for civic responsibilities and show the interrelations between the normative systems — laws, morality and religions — that describe social interactions. Courses in logic and logical semiotics (disciplines in which the work of Polish philosophers has had a world–wide impact) teach thinking skills — significant both within science and public life. They also provide the tools to formally analyse natural language and the structure of scientific theories. Specialist and interdisciplinary courses give students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with issues in such fields as the philosophy and history of science, philosophy of culture, philosophy of politics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, social and legal philosophy. The broadening of students’ intellectual horizons is promoted by a varied programme of lectures, tutorials and seminars. During lectures, the students are provided with knowledge of the subject, while during the tutorials and other classes they also learn how to analyse basic philosophical ideas as well as how to individually formulate and deal with the theoretical problems that arise. Studies ends with preparing Bachelor’s Dissertation and passing the Bachelor’s Exam.

Philosophy develops students’ intellectual abilities like no other academic discipline. It trains intelligence, the ability to assimilate and understand new information, a capacity for understanding other people and cultures; philosophy teaches how to properly interpret the behaviour of individuals and societies. It fosters imagination and, most of all, makes it easier to put together a coherent general world view as well as to determine the aims of human life. Philosophy graduates are seen by many employers as particularly important valuable employees. They find employment in various educational institutions, publishing companies and the mass media and, in addition to that, in government offices, political organizations and local government institutions. Those philosophy graduates who are not native–speakers also gain a solid knowledge of English thanks to which they become more employable within both Poland and the European Union. Their qualifications can also provide a good basis for applying for prestigious grants and scholarships as well as for places in MA and PhD programmes throughout Europe and beyond.

The majority of classes take place in the Institute of Philosophy building located at 3 Krakowskie Przedmieście St. in Warsaw. They are taught on weekdays, mostly from 9.45 am to 16.30 pm. The Institute of Philosophy, University of Warsaw, has a well-supplied library ­— the best philosophical library in Central and Eastern Europe.

Website: www.philosophy.uw.edu.pl