General information
The Institute for Applied Philosophy (IsFA) has offered, since the 2003/2204 academic year, a first-level degree or Bachelor’s degree in philosophy. .
This is the first undergraduate philosophy degree program in the Ticino Canton. It further sets itself apart for the originality of its course offerings when compared to those of analogous university programs. In addition to classes in traditional philosophical disciplines, our curriculum includes several, unique classes in applied philosophy (see the listings under philosophy courses). This degree has a marked interdisciplinary connotation in which philosophy dialogues with science and technology, on the one hand, and with religions and cultures—including non-western ones—on the other hand.
At present, there are six majors offered.
The philosophy and religions major
This major is a novelty created by our Institute. In addition to the studying of the various religions of the world – from Judaism to Islam, from Asian religions to African ones - it focuses on past and present relations between western philosophy and these religions: philosophy and Judaism, philosophy and Islam, philosophy and Asian religions, etc.
Particular attention is placed on the study of mutual relations between religions, cultures and economic markets. .
Successful completion of this major permits enrolment in the Master’s in comparative law of religions at FTL and in other master’s degree programs at other universities.
The history of philosophy major
This major is canonically philosophical. It has been conceived as the launching pad toward a Master’s in philosophy at other universities.
The theology major
The major in Theology includes philosophy and theology courses recognized by the Theology Faculty in Lugano toward completion of a Bachelor’s degree which is needed to study for a subsequent License in Theology.
Other majors
In collaboration with the Faculty of science of communications of the Swiss Italian University (USI), we have created new majors in philosophy and new media, philosophy and company communications, philosophy and public communications. One may, in addition, arrange for a self-designed major in philosophy and economics.
What are the curriculum subjects?
The courses for the Bachelor’s degree fall under three main headings: philosophy courses, specialized studies, and instrumental courses
Philosophy courses
A first set of courses establishes a solid foundation in philosophy: general ontology; general ethics; general aesthetics; theory of knowledge; history of ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary philosophy; philosophy of nature, of science and technology, , etc.
Another group of courses involves the philosophical analysis of significant aspects of the contemporary world: ontology of the virtual world; ontology of social reality; internet ethics; environmental ethics; ethics of finance; ethics of communications; ethics of advertising languages; bioethics; web aesthetics; aesthetics of the virtual world; philosophy and cinema; philosophy and music; , etc.
Specialized studies
Courses under this second heading vary according to the major. They include courses in philosophy and religion, history of philosophy, theology, philosophy and company communications, philosophy and public communications, philosophy and new media.
Instrumental courses
Languages.
Faculty qualifications
Professors for the Bachelor’s degree are all well-established scholars and winners of public university competitions at other prestigious universities: Geneva, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Beirut, Virginia-U.S.A.).
Why chose this course of studies?
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of our course offerings and the attention paid to applied philosophy
, these elements are seldom found in traditional philosophy programs.
Because of our optimal student/faculty ratio
, rare elsewhere.
Because of our international student body
, whose diversity is assured by the presence of theology students from 32 nations and 4 continents.
Because of the wide range of opportunities for pursuing further studies at the Master’s level
not just in philosophy but also in other fields at other faculties.
Because of the attention we devote to the employment market for our students
and to the professional profiles the market seeks for people with a humanities degree, especially one with a strong interdisciplinary background.
