Questions

Your answer

Which minor did you do?

Minor in Philosophy

What made you choose this minor?

Sometimes I felt the amount of information we needed to process in IR didn’t allow me to reflect on the content as much as I wanted. The main dynamic was reading, learning, and exams. I wanted to assess the information from a more critical perspective without committing additional time beyond what I was already dedicating.

What were the subjects you had in your minor?

The minor consists of two blocks, each with two courses. The first block includes two introductory courses: Philosophical Thinking (covering key concepts in major philosophical doctrines) and History of Philosophy (focusing on major philosophical authors and doctrines).

The second block includes Practical Philosophy (divided into political philosophy and ethics) and Philosophy of Science and Logic (exploring philosophical language and how philosophy is reflected in science).

One positive aspect for IRIO students is that much of the content overlaps or has been briefly touched upon in the IR program. Similar subjects include Political Science or Academic Skills.

What was your hardest experience during the minor course?

The third round of exams was particularly challenging. The minor requires four rounds of exams—one for each course. By the third round, just before Christmas, I felt burnt out and demotivated, which made it harder, but help from other students and a couple of group study sessions I managed. Nonetheless, I appreciated the midterm structure because it kept me on track with my studies, which positively reflected in my exams and overall knowledge.

What was the best experience during the minor course?

One of the best parts was discussing topics with like-minded students and exploring their influence on everyday matters. Students in the philosophy minor are passionate about going beyond appearances and intuitions, striving to reach what they consider the "right" answer. Philosophy fosters unique connections with other students and challenges you to question much of what you’ve previously learned.

Did the course meet your expectations? Yes, why/ No, why not

Yes, it provides a manageable way to explore the world of philosophy. The classes are introductory, but if you’re interested in a specific topic, the professors are more than willing to guide you and provide more in-depth explanations.

Which other minor did you consider?

 I also considered the development minor, but the possibility of obtaining an additional degree ultimately persuaded me to choose philosophy.

Do you think that your minor will be useful for your future career?

Yes, why / No, why not

Yes, it was a milestone that led me to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in a specific field. It also made me more skeptical about concepts I once thought were clear, helping me identify topics I enjoy and giving me clarity about my future master’s studies.

What would you say to future IRIO students who consider this minor?

If you are the type of person who always has objections and likes to find a way to rebut ideas, this is definitely your minor. Philosophy will give you the tools to analyze the main perspectives and thoughts, and at the same time that would you will expand your knowledge in multiple areas such as morality, metaphysics, or argumentation.

Ratings: Rate from 1 to 10

Was the minor doable? (1 very hard <-->10 very easy)

    7 

Was the workload less/the same/or more than the IRIO programme? (1 much less workload <--> 10 a lot more workload)

   4 

How much would you recommend doing this minor? (1 not at all <--> 10 100% yes)

   9