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First Year

Please make sure you are familiar with:

Philosophy students engaging in discussion

Contact:  

Dr. Tsarina Doyle, Visiting Students' Academic Coordinator in the Discipline of Philosophy.
tsarina.doyle@universityofgalway.ie

First Year modules

  • Introduction to the History of Philosophy
  • Introduction to Practical Ethics

Academic dates for 26/27

Semester One Orientation TBC
  Teaching 7th September - 27th November
  Exams 7th - 18th December 2026
Semester Two Teaching 11th January - 2nd April 2027
  Study week 12th - 16th April 2027
  Exams 19th April - 6th May 2027

Sign up for your first year tutorials on Canvas

Schedule of courses

Semester One

Course Code and Title Schedule Venue Lecturer
PI107
Introduction to the History of Philosophy		 Mondays, 5 - 6pm AC002 Anderson Theatre  Dr. Orla Richardson
PI108
Introduction to the History of Philosophy		 Tuesdays, 4 - 5pm AC001 O'Flaherty Theatre Dr. Orla Richardson

 

Semester Two

Course Code and Title Schedule Venue Lecturer
PI108
Introduction to Practical Ethics		 Mondays, 5 - 6pm AC002 Anderson Theatre  Dr. Richard Hull
PI108
Introduction to Practical Ethics		 Tuesdays, 4 - 5pm CSB-1006 Dr. Richard Hull

 

Individual Course details

Introduction to History of Philosophy

Code

Semester

Contact hours / weekly

ECTS

PI107

1

2 (Tutorials not included)

5

Lecturer:  Dr. O. Richardson

Course description:  This course introduces students to key thinkers and ideas in the history of western philosophy. Since ancient philosophy is so central to this history, the first half of the course is devoted to some of its most important achievements in the work of the pre-Socratics, Sophists, Plato, and Aristotle. Attention is then turned to aspects of medieval philosophy, and the great rationalist and empiricist traditions of modern philosophy. Lastly, lectures will also be offered on the 19th century philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.

Prerequisites: None

Teaching and learning methods: The course is lecture-based, supplemented by tutorials.

Methods of assessment and examination:  Exam, supplemented by CA.

Recommended book resources:  

  • Copleston, F., History of Philosophy, Image Publishing
  • Guthrie, W.K.C., The Greek Philosophers from Thales to Aristotle, Meuthen


Introduction to Practical Ethics

Code

Semester

Contact hours / weekly

ECTS

PI108

2

2 (Tutorials not included)

5

Lecturer: Dr. R. Hull

Course description: This course (Practical Ethics) provides a rigorous, but non-technical examination of a wide range of contemporary ethical issues.  Indicative issues discussed include discrimination, free speech, sexuality, life and death, punishment and justice.  Excerpts will be taken from the core texts listed below.

Prerequisites: None

Teaching and learning methods: The course is lecture-based, supplemented by tutorials.

Methods of assessment and examination: Overall assessment is by written essay at the end of the second semester (50%) and in-class examination(s) throughout the second semester (50%).   

Core texts:
Andrew I. Cohen  and Christopher Heath Wellman, eds., Contemporary Debates in Applied Ethics (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell, 2005). 
Peter Singer, Practical Ethics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011). 
Hugh La Follette, ed., The Oxford Handbook of Practical Ethics (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005). 
Hugh La Follette, ed., Ethics in Practice: An Anthology (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell, 2006). 

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