Philosophy has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years and is central to our understanding of the world and of our place in and interaction with it. Philosophy provides the tools whereby the presuppositions of all areas of intellectual and practical activity may be systematically and critically examined. While there are different approaches that philosophers have taken, characteristic of Philosophy is the emphasis on the use of argument, critical enquiry, rigour in reasoning, and clarity of expression, including the making of pertinent distinctions. This programme aims to a thorough knowledge of the ideas and arguments employed by the main philosophers of past and present, studied through their texts, and an understanding of the main areas of Philosophy and an appreciation of the significance of these in world culture, a knowledge of specific areas of philosophy or philosophers in yet greater depth, for example, mathematical logic, philosophy of language, philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of psychology, philosophy of religion, philosophy of science, Wittgenstein, aesthetics, philosophy of law, applied ethics, how philosophical problems may be generated by conceptual or foundational issues in other areas of inquiry, the skills required not only to understand philosophical debates but also to take part in such debates constructively and intelligently, Ancient Greece through study of the Ancient Greek language, through reading of a range of representative texts in the various literary genres in the original, and through appreciation of relevant modern secondary literature, enabling students to embark on further study and research in the field of Greek studies in the widest sense; to teach (after professional training) Greek language and literature, thought and culture at all levels; to acquire methods and techniques needed for further study and research in the Arts and Humanities, participation in research led study. develop the independent critical, analytic and communicative skills which will fit students for a wide range of employment, further training and life-long learning and transferable skills of use in virtually every area of employment, including everything requisite for fostering independent critical thinking, self-directed research and sustained analytical activity.