Overview
The Department of Philosophy and Classics provides scholarly training in analytic literacy and in the history of ideas. The philosophical component of this training is geared towards students‘ reclaiming their indigenous ideals and insights, appreciating the variety of intellectual heritages at their disposal and enhancing the rational quality of their lives. The classical studies component is a sustained reflection upon records of civilisations and cultures since antiquity. Based on this, our goal is to explore the historical antecedents as well as the conceptual foundations of modern day politics, sciences, architectonics, artistry, literary expression, economic systems, self reference, and social dynamics.
LEVEL 100
All courses at level 100 are compulsory for all students in Philosophy and Classics
First Semester
Course Code Course Title Credits
Choose any two UGRC
courses = 6 credits
UGRC 110 Academic Writing I 3
UGRC 120 Numeracy Skills 3
UGRC 141-146 Science and Technology in Our Lives 3
UGRC 150 Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning 3
PHCL 101 Civilisations of the Ancient World 3
Other subjects 2 Courses from 2 other assigned Depts 6
Minimum credits required 15
Second Semester
Course code Course title Credits
Choose another two
UGRC courses= 6 credits
UGRC 110 Academic Writing I 3
UGRC 120 Numeracy Skills 3
UGRC 141-146 Science and Technology in Our Lives 3
UGRC 150 Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning 3
PHCL 102 Philosophical Questions 3
Other subjects 2 Courses from 2 other assigned Depts 6
Minimum credits required 15
LEVEL 200
All courses at the 200 level are compulsory for all students in Philosophy and Classics
First Semester
Course Code Course Title Credits
Choose either UGRC 210
-or- UGRC 220-238 = 3
credits
UGRC 210 Academic Writing II 3
UGRC 220-238 Introduction to African Studies 3
PHCL 201 Problems of Philosophy 3
PHCL 203 Outlines of Graeco-Roman Civilisations 3
Other subjects 2 Courses from the other assigned Dept 6
Minimum credits required 15
Second Semester
Course code Course title Credits
Choose the other of
UGRC 210 -or- UGRC
220-238 = 3 credits
UGRC 210 Academic Writing II 3
UGRC 220-238 Introduction to African Studies 3
PHCL 202 Outlines of Graeco-Roman Literatures 3
PHCL 204 Elements of Formal Logic 3
Other subjects 2 Courses from the other assigned Dept 6
Minimum credits required 15
LEVEL 300 COURSES
Major: At least four cores (12 credits) by the end of the year
Combined: At least four cores (12 credits) by the end of the year
Minor: At least two cores (6 credits) by the end of year with
Pre-requisites: all 100 level & 200 level courses
300 Level Core
A student may concentrate either in Classics or in Philosophy by doing all the core courses
in only one option. Alternatively, students may choose core courses from both lists.
All students must comply with the University BA requirement to opt for electives from other
departments.
Core courses for Philosophy option
PHIL 301 Deductive Logic
PHIL 302 Socratic Philosophy
PHIL 303 Moral Philosophy
PHIL 304 Social and Political Philosophy
Core courses for Classics option
CLAS 301 Presocratic Philosophy
CLAS 302 Socratic Philosophy
CLAS 303 Greek Epic and Drama
CLAS 304 Roman Epic and Drama
300 Level Electives
Philosophy option
PHIL 305 Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 306 Empiricism
PHIL 307 Rationalism
PHIL 308 Philosophy of Aristotle
PHIL 309 Philosophy of History
PHIL 310 African Philosophy
PHIL 311 Aesthetics
PHIL 312 Existentialism
PHIL 313 Philosophy of Gender
PHIL 314 Personhood
PHIL 315 Philosophy and Literature
PHIL 316 Philosophy of Education
Classics option
CLAS 305 Africa in the Ancient Greek World
CLAS 306 Africa in the Ancient Roman World
CLAS 307 History of the Archaic and Classical Periods
CLAS 308 Slavery in Graeco-Roman Antiquity
CLAS 309 Arts of Government in Ancient Greece
CLAS 311 History of the Hellenistic Period
CLAS 312 Republican Rome
CLAS 313 Hellenistic Philosophy and Science
CLAS 314 The Principate
CLAS 315 Greek Religion
CLAS 316 Roman Religion
CLAS 317 Greek Art and Architecture
CLAS 318 Roman Art and Architecture
CLAS 319 Egypt, Near East, and the Origins of Greek Civilisation
CLAS 321 Gender in Ancient Greece
CLAS 322 Gender in Ancient Rome
CLAS 323 Reading Greek I
CLAS 324 Reading Latin I
CLAS 325 Reading Greek II
CLAS 326 Reading Latin II
CLAS 327 Graeco-Roman Mythology
LEVEL 400 COURSES
Major: At least four core courses (12 credits) by the end of the year
Combined: At least four core courses (12 credits) by the end of the year
Pre-requisites: All 100, 200 and 300 Level core courses
400 Level Core
A student may concentrate in Classics or in Philosophy by doing all the core courses in the
respective option. Alternatively, students may choose core courses from both lists.
All students must comply with the University BA requirement to opt for electives from other
departments.
Core courses for Philosophy option
PHIL 401 The Philosophy of Plato
PHIL 402 Methodology of the Sciences
PHIL 403 Modern Analytic Tradition
PHIL 404 Philosophy and Contemporary African Experience
Core courses for Classics option
CLAS 401 The Philosophy of Plato
CLAS 402 Roman Philosophy and Science
CLAS 403 Greek Literature and Society
CLAS 404 Roman Literature and Society
400 Level Electives Majors: (single) select at least 2 per semester; (combined) select at
least 1 per semester
Philosophy option
PHIL 405 Value Theory
PHIL 406 Theories of Justice
PHIL 407 Philosophy of Kant
PHIL 408 Applied Ethics
PHIL 409 Philosophy of Law
PHIL 410 Further Studies in African Philosophy
PHIL 411 Contemporary Metaphysics
PHIL 412 Philosophy of the Human Sciences
PHIL 413 Phenomenology
PHIL 414 Philosophical Thought of Kwame Nkrumah
PHIL 415 Philosophy of Culture
PHIL 416 Selected Author/Text (in Philosophy)
PHIL 417 Contemporary Issues in Philosophy
PHIL 418 Ethics and International Relations
PHIL 419 Philosophy of Language
PHIL 420 Research Methods
PHIL 421 Philosophy of Development
PHIL 422 Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 423 Topics in Philosophical Logic
PHIL 424 Topics in the Philosophy of Mathematics
PHIL 425 Long Essay
Classics option
CLAS 405 Leaders of Ancient Greece
CLAS 406 Leaders of Ancient Rome
CLAS 407 Greek Historiography
CLAS 408 Roman Historiography
CLAS 409 The Sophists
CLAS 410 Themes in Classical Studies
CLAS 411 Law, Individual, and Society in Ancient Greece
CLAS 412 Law, Individual, and Society in Ancient Rome
CLAS 413 Rhetoric in Ancient Greece
CLAS 414 Rhetoric in Ancient Rome
CLAS 415 Reading Greek III
CLAS 416 Reading Latin III
CLAS 417 Reading Greek IV
CLAS 418 Reading Latin IV
CLAS 419 Selected Author/Text
CLAS 420 Research Methods
CLAS 421 Long Essay
Career Prospects for Students of Philosophy and Classics
A degree in Philosophy and Classics from the Department of Philosophy and Classics equips students with a unique combination of analytical rigor, historical depth, and cross-cultural understanding. These skills are highly valued across a wide range of professions.
Key Transferable Skills You Will Gain:
- Analytical and critical thinking – evaluating complex arguments and identifying logical flaws
- Research and interpretation – working with primary texts, historical records, and diverse sources
- Clear written and oral communication – constructing coherent, evidence-based arguments
- Ethical reasoning – navigating moral questions and value conflicts
- Historical and cultural awareness – understanding the roots of modern institutions, ideas, and systems
Career Paths Open to Graduates:
Education & Academia
Lecturer, researcher, high school teacher (philosophy, classics, history, social studies), curriculum developer, education administrator
Law & Public Policy
Lawyer, legal researcher, policy analyst, legislative aide, human rights advocate
Government & Civil Service
Administrative officer, foreign service officer, diplomat, public affairs specialist
Nonprofit & Advocacy
Program officer, communications specialist, advocacy coordinator, NGO researcher
Journalism & Media
Writer, editor, critic, content creator, investigative journalist
Business & Management
Management consultant, corporate strategist, human resources specialist, brand strategist
Publishing & Libraries
Editor, proofreader, librarian, archivist, museum curator
Religious & Community Leadership
Clergy, pastoral worker, community organizer, ethics advisor
Arts & Culture
Museum educator, cultural heritage officer, arts administrator, exhibition curator
Further Study Opportunities:
- Graduate degrees (MA, MPhil, PhD) in Philosophy, Classics, Political Theory, History, Law, or Theology
- Professional degrees in Law (LLB, JD), Public Policy (MPP), Business Administration (MBA), or Journalism
Why Choose Philosophy and Classics?
Employers increasingly seek graduates who can think deeply, write clearly, and understand the big picture—not just follow procedures. Philosophy and Classics graduates bring historical perspective, ethical judgment, and analytical precision to any workplace.
Tuition Method
Lectures, group assignments, case studies/reviews, class presentations, project work, and seminars.
Entry Requirements
Ghanaian Applicants with WASSCE/SSSCE Qualification
A. General Entry Requirements into the Full-Time Degree Programmes
An applicant for admission to an undergraduate degree programme in the University of Ghana must have at least credits (A1 - C6 in WASSCE or A - D in SSSCE) in the following subjects:
• The Four Core Subjects: English, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science/Core Science, and Social Studies.
• Three elective subjects.
B. Calculation of Aggregates for Admission
The total aggregate of results, comprising six subjects (relevant core and electives), should not exceed:
• Aggregate 24 for Regular admissions.
• Aggregate 30 for Distance Education admissions.
For Non-Science Disciplines:
• Aggregate is calculated using English, Core Mathematics, Social Studies/Life Skills, and three elective subjects in General Arts/Business (refer to specific programme elective requirements below).
• Note: Integrated Science/Core Science credit is excluded in the calculation.
NOTE: For international applicants, visit UG admissions page
https://admissions.ug.edu.gh/undergraduate/entry-requirements