Program Overview

PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS

Philosophy and Ethics explores the big questions of life and morality: on what basis do we judge things good or evil? It challenges you to examine your assumptions, opinions and worldview. Do we need to believe in God for life to have meaning – or have the arguments for the existence of God broken down? What does it mean to be human? Do we have free will, or is our life completely determined?

Through close attention to the primary texts of philosophers such as Plato, Aquinas, Descartes, Hume, Kant and Nietzsche, our Philosophy and Ethics degree will help you learn to analyse and evaluate arguments, and to compose and communicate your own ideas in a reasoned way. You will have a grounding in the foundational questions of philosophy. As you progress, you will look in depth at philosophy of religion, political philosophy, applied ethics and issues of human personhood, artificial intelligence and animality.

The degree is taught by a core team of critical academics who are passionate about teaching and are internationally recognised researchers and writers. This degree will equip you with the intellectual skills and perspectives needed to face the ethical and ideological challenges of the contemporary world.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Special Educational Needs (SEN) at Liverpool Hope University is an interdisciplinary subject underpinned by the work of the Centre for Culture and Disability Studies (CCDS). Studying Special Educational Needs at Liverpool Hope University will enable you to develop an understanding of the complex relationship between disability and society. You will explore the ways that disability studies can inform our understanding of the medical and social models of disability and learn the importance of this in working with children with so-called special educational needs. The degree incorporates insights from education, the arts, humanities and health care, to ensure you gain a critical understanding of the relationship between disability and education.

A central aspect of the course is an understanding of medical and social constructions of Special Educational Needs from a historical as well more recent perspectives. You will gain a knowledge and understanding of the importance of cultural representations in shaping individual and societal relationships with disability.

By completing this degree, you will have gained an awareness of global perspectives on disability studies, inclusion, education and society as well as an understanding of the role of disabled people as activists working for equality. This degree will enable you to develop your professional and personal confidence in advocacy and education.  You will enter your professional life recognising the importance of criticality, compassion and understanding of your work with, and on behalf of, those who are disabled and/or identified as having a special educational need.