Introduction to Philosophical Analysis
| Module title | Introduction to Philosophical Analysis |
|---|---|
| Module code | PHL1006 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Jonathan Davies (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 150 |
|---|
Module description
On this module, you will be introduced to various conceptions of philosophy that have existed over time, and you will develop your interpretive skills through the study of classic texts. You will be introduced to five different conceptions of philosophy and study texts illustrative of each, together with critical commentaries. This will teach you to appreciate the differences between styles of philosophical writing and thinking, the historical and philosophical reasons for those differences, and the implications for the kind of arguments that are produced. You will also learn how adopting these different styles can affect and inform your own way of thinking and arguing, and you will be encouraged to assess which of these styles better suits your skills and aims in studying philosophy.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module has two aims: to introduce you to the various conceptions of philosophy that have existed over time, and to develop your interpretive skills through the study of classic texts. You will be introduced to five different conceptions of philosophy and study texts illustrative of each, together with critical commentaries.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. address and assess complex issues analytically
- 2. demonstrate in writing and orally knowledge of five major conceptions of philosophy, and the abilitycapacity to evaluate the differences between those conceptions
- 3. evaluate which conception of philosophy better suits your own interests and aims in studying philosophy, and to explain why
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. demonstrate in writing and orally an abilitycapacity to appreciate clarity as a worthwhile goal of philosophical analysis, and then use this skill to tackle more effectively the specific philosophical issues to which one is drawn.
- 5. demonstrate basic competence in the production of clear and rigorous analytical examination in written work
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. think clearly and rigorously
- 7. demonstrate in writing an ability tothe capacity appreciate the virtues of an analytical approach to the consideration of evidence, argument and justification
- 8. to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task .
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
1. Philosophy as way of life
2. Philosophy as critique of knowledge
3. Philosophy as genealogy
4. Philosophy as linguistic analysis
5. Experimental philosophy
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| scheduled learning activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hours per week comprising of lectures and seminars |
| Guided independent study | 55 | 11 x 5 hours for course readings |
| Guided independent study | 32.5 | Reading for and writing of essay |
| Guided independent study | 40.5 | Preparing for exam |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 750 words | 1-7 | Written feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 100 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 1-8 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination (1 hour 30 minutes) | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic Reading:
J. Hospers, An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis (Routledge, 1997)
Bryan Magee, The Great Philosophers (BBC, 1987)
S. Blackburn, Think (OUP,1999)
M. Scriven, Reasoning (McGraw-Hill, 1976)
M. Hollis, Invitation to Philosophy (Blackwell, 1997)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web-based and electronic resources:
ELE webpage for this course: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Internet Encyclopaedia for Philosophy: http://www.iep.utm.edu/
EpistemeLinks (list of philosophy resources on the Internet): http://epistemelinks.com/
Stanford Encyclopaedia for Philosophy: http://www.seop.leeds.ac.uk/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 12/01/2012 |
| Last revision date | 29/04/2022 |
