Changing degree subject

pots+pans

I started university this September, studying Politics. I'm now in my sixth week, and have not found it to be as interesting as I had anticipated. All students take three modules in their core subject and one module outside. I chose Philosophy, which I have found much more engaging.

I'm thinking of switching to Philosophy, however I have a few concerns. Primarily, I'm worried that this is a 'grass is always greener on the other side' situation, and if I do switch I will become just as dissatisfied with philosophy.

Another concern is that I am a huge procrastinator. I have 3 politics essays due in the next 3 weeks, none of which I have done much work towards. My desire to change subjects might just be an excuse to avoid doing the work, the little of which I have done I've found difficult.

I'm in the UK. Thanks in advance for any help.

Edit: I'm also worried about getting a job after university. I've been told that doing an arts subject isn't the best for job opportunities, is there likely to be a difference between politics and philosophy in this regard?

Burnage

Have you had a look at the syllabus of your university's philosophy department? It sounds perverse, but there are a few philosophy departments which are very heavy on the political philosophy, so you might find yourself still doing a subject you currently think you don't get on with.

Procrastination is a bigger problem in general if you're not interested in the work that you're doing. If you think philosophy would interest you more, you might be more inclined to do the work.

Also, something you might want to look into (in case you do want to test the waters) is whether or not your university offers a dual honours course of some sort. Take politics and philosophy for your first year, perhaps, and if you genuinely find philosophy more interesting then it'll be relatively easy to discard the politics aspect of your degree.

In response to your edit: I've seen a few reports that say philosophy graduates fare very well when finding jobs compared to all other art subjects, and even earn more than business studies grads. Philosophy is also a subject which lets you transition quite easily into a different area after you graduate - law being a very common choice.

Grizzled

First off, I would give yourself a little more time than six weeks before jumping up and changing majors. I don't know how things are in the UK, but in the US the average college student changes their major something like 3-5 times over their college career. So maybe give yourself a little more time with the material before you worry about switching.

Secondly, politics and philosophy can overlap quite a bit. Especially when talking about the UK/US, a lot of the way the current political systems work springs directly from 18th/19th century debates in philosophy (which themselves harken back to more ancient stuff - basically the question "what is the most perfect form of government" is one that people have been working on for a very long time, and a major one in philosophy). So, as Burnage mentioned, depending on the approach of your departments, maybe you will get some philosophy with your politics, or vice versa. Maybe start with an annotated version of Plato's Republic or some critical analysis of Enlightenment philosophers and see if what gets you going is the politics or the philosophizing.

Lewisham

Grizzled wrote: »

First off, I would give yourself a little more time than six weeks before jumping up and changing majors. I don't know how things are in the UK, but in the US the average college student changes their major something like 3-5 times over their college career. So maybe give yourself a little more time with the material before you worry about switching.

Whenever threads like these come up, it is unfortunate that Americans don't know the systems in other countries (this is not me dissing you Grizz!)

For context: the OP is worried because in order to change subjects, the system usually forces you to drop out of your current course and wait until next year to switch, starting on the first year of your new subject instead. This is if you are allowed to do so.

OP: I am expecting you have been assigned a tutor. Every university has different rules and regulations about whether you can switch, who has to sign off on your switch, and when you can do it. Your tutor will know what these rules are, or who does. Talk over your concerns with your tutor. You are not the first, nor the last, student to have doubts about your subject when you start.

I fully expect the course of action will probably be to ride out this semester/term and see if you change your mind. If you don't, then the wheels can be set in motion.

As far as the job market, I don't think many places will see Politics as different from Philosophy, neither is a vocational-heavy degree.

Jasconius

Philosophy majors breed philosophy majors, it's a cyclical process. Lots of philosophy majors go on to teach or write books, etc, it's a purely academic subject to major in.

Politics has obvious applications in... well.. politics. There's more jobs than you think if you consider state and city levels of government.

Slider

Jasconius wrote: »

Philosophy majors breed philosophy majors, it's a cyclical process. Lots of philosophy majors go on to teach or write books, etc, it's a purely academic subject to major in.

Politics has obvious applications in... well.. politics. There's more jobs than you think if you consider state and city levels of government.

Correct. I'm actually considering getting a second Bachelor's in Political Science...or Public Administration. I know nothing about the education system in the UK, but from what I know of Philosophy degrees, it's difficult find work without also having a Master's or Ph.D.

pots+pans

Thank you for all the advice. Lewisham is pretty much spot on; I'll have to wait until the second semester before being able to do anything. Having thought about it more, I'll probably do a joint honours in Politics and Philosophy, if I am allowed to. Thanks again.