PHIL1041: READING PHILOSOPHY

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PHIL1041: READING PHILOSOPHY

Aims

• To introduce students to issues of interpretation and comprehension in reading primary authors, through a detailed study of four thematically related texts.

Content

• The texts, from different periods in the history of philosophy, exhibit contrasting styles of philosophical argument, but are linked by a common theme: the subjective/objective distinction. These texts may include:
• Plato's "Protagoras"
• Hume's "Of the Standard of Taste"
• Sartre's "Existentialism and Humanism"
• Murdoch's "The Idea of Perfection"

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have knowledge and understanding of central arguments in the texts, of background information bearing on their interpretation.

• grasp, analyse, evaluate and deploy subject-specific concepts and arguments
• locate, understand, assess and utilise pertinent philosophical (and, where appropriate, historical) sources
• interpret and criticise relevant texts

• express themselves clearly and succinctly in writing
• comprehend complex ideas, propositions and theories
• defend their opinions by reasoned argument
• seek out and identify appropriate sources of evidence and information
• tackle problems in a clear-sighted and logical fashion.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures deliver basic module-specific information, and provide a framework for further study.
• Discussion groups provide opportunities for students to test their own understanding of the material studies, and defend and debate different opinions.
• Guided reading provides a structure within which students exercise and extend their abilities to make use of available learning resources.
• The Formative essays provide the opportunity for students to test their knowledge and understanding of the module content, and their ability to present and defend relevant arguments and theories, uninhibited by the need for summative assessment.
• The Summative essay tests knowledge and understanding of the course material, and the ability to identify and explain issues covered in the module, and, using relevant research material, to present different approaches to those issues, and make reasoned judgement on the merits and demerits of such approaches.
• The unseen examination tests students' overall knowledge and understanding of the module content at the end of the module, and their ability to bring it to bear on new problems under pressure of time.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1 essay of 1500 words