Philosophy is the greatest achievement of the human mind. At the same time, philosophy is also the historical source and theoretical foundation of every other science. Furthermore, philosophy serves as a normative corrective for all human activities. From this, it follows that philosophy must be inherently multifaceted, which is reflected in the diversity of philosophical conceptions, orientations, and schools.

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Zadar incorporates this multiplicity into its study programs by offering a balanced approach to various philosophical traditions and methodologies. Equal emphasis is placed on both the study of classical philosophical texts and on contemporary philosophical approaches that have emerged in response to modern societal developments. From Plato to Foucault, from Aristotle to Judith Butler, our goal is to present the breadth of philosophical tradition while also providing a theoretical framework for current social debates. As such, our methodology encompasses everything from the problem of universals to gender theory, with an aim to present both the fundamental and derived philosophical problems in a methodologically impartial and comprehensive manner.

This approach results in the equal representation of all core philosophical disciplines. Students are introduced to logic both as a tool and as a crossroad between philosophy, mathematics, and computer science; to the full spectrum of epistemological debates, from classical questions to feminist epistemology; to theoretical and applied ethics; as well as to the many intersections between philosophy and other disciplines that characterize our current intellectual climate. The greatest emphasis is, of course, placed on ontology, the fundamental philosophical discipline—the heart of philosophy from which all philosophical inquiry originates and to which it inevitably returns. Teaching within the Department is organized according to the Bologna reform but remains faithful to the philosophical approach to problems, which has been rooted in dialogue as the primary mode of knowledge exchange and presentation since ancient times.

The study of philosophy is organized into two academic cycles. The first cycle is the undergraduate (bachelor’s) program, lasting six semesters or three years, and is structured as a double-major program. The second cycle is the graduate (master’s) program, lasting four semesters or two years, and is offered in two modules: a double-major teaching-oriented program and a single-major research-oriented program.

A student who successfully completes the undergraduate cycle earns a Certificate in Philosophy (title: Bachelor of Philosophy – baccalaureus / baccalaurea). This level of education qualifies students for a wide range of professional roles, including work in scientific libraries, lexicographic institutes, various media outlets, public administration, editorial positions in publishing houses, and in the marketing sector.

A student who successfully completes the graduate cycle earns a Master’s Degree in Philosophy (title: Master of Education in Philosophy – magister / magistra educations philosophiae). Completion of the teaching-oriented track of the graduate program qualifies the student to teach in secondary schools in subjects such as philosophy, logic, and ethics. The research-oriented track prepares students for competent work in the media, scientific research teams, scientific institutes, institutions of higher education, various analytical teams, cultural and scientific institutions, and scientific research projects.