Honours BA vs. regular BA

College Majors
1

<p>I'm current enrolled in a 4-year general Philosophy program and I've two semesters left before I finish my degree. Lately, I've been considering switching into the 4-year Honours Philosophy for two reasons. 1) Personal satisfaction and 2) It would look good on my resume and possibly enhance my chances of getting a job. I don't intend on relying on a Philosophy degree to get me a job after graduation. I'm considering doing a post-grad diploma in another field of interest or going back to my previous major (Nursing) ...and I've completed one year of this and can finish in less than 2 years. I don't need an honours degree for the diploma program nor the nursing program; a 4-year general would do. BUT I will need a good GPA to get back into Nursing as well as the diploma program, if I choose that route, so maintaining a good GPA is still important.</p>

<p>To switch into the honours' stream I've to take an Introduction to Formal logics course. The problem with this is that it requires a bit of math, from what I've heard and I'm not great in math. If I do it and don't do well, not only would I not be admitted into the honours program (because I wouldn't make the required Philosophy average for admission into that stream), but my overall average for the 4-year general could be in jeopardy and I could get bumped down to the 3-year Philosophy ....which would be terrible. I've two semesters left and I've to take this class now if I want to aim for the honours. Classes just started last week and I still have until this Friday to enroll in it. Once I take this class, I have to take 3 other Philosophy courses required for the honours and I can take one this semester and the other two next semester.</p>

<p>I don't know if I should just stick with the current 4-year general degree or try to aim for the honours, but I don't know if this would be a good idea knowing I'm not great in math. Should I stick with my current 4-year program and not ruin things for myself and put my graduation with a 4-year degree in jeopardy or should I aim higher for the honours? Hire a tutor for the Logic' class, maybe? I'm excited and do want to take this class, but I don't know if it's a good idea! The honours and regular program are both 4-years. With the honours, there's no thesis and I'll will still be able to graduate at the end of next semester, so it won't require more time or anything. I just have to take this Formal Logics' course now and the three other Philosophy courses next semester and do well in them.</p>

2

<p>How is your current course load? If you already have several difficult classes, you may not have the time necessary to devote to the math portion of the honors course. If you have a light load, then you may want to consider taking the course and seeking tutors and assistance from your professor as needed to do well. </p>

<p>To weigh the pros and cons: It will be a personally fulfilling goal, but it doesn’t sound like it will do much else for you. If you pursue a diploma or go back to nursing, the honors in philosophy won’t carry much weight in finding a job. If you plan to get a job with just the bachelor’s degree, the honors distinction may have a small impact but would not be the deciding factor. So you need to decide whether the personal fulfillment is worth the risk, and whether your schedule will allow you to spend the extra time needed to focus on the more difficult parts of the course. Then look at what your future semesters may look like, and whether the remaining honors courses can fit into them without creating an overload.</p>