Philosophical Reading 2
| Module title | Philosophical Reading 2 |
|---|---|
| Module code | PHL1008 |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Kirsten Walsh (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
|---|
Module description
John Locke is easily one of the most influential philosophers of all time. Following the work of Francis Bacon, Locke’s work was crucial to the development of modern epistemology and the experimental tradition in natural philosophy. His work in political philosophy was equally important to the development of social contract theory and is reflected in the United States Declaration of Independence. Finally, his theory of mind is regarded as the origin of modern theories of identity and the self. The content of this module will provide essential background knowledge for any student who plans to pursue interests in epistemology, philosophy of mind, political philosophy, or early modern philosophy. No prior coursework or disciplinary training is pre-requisite for taking this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to familiarize students with one of the key texts in early modern philosophy and provide grounds for understanding its continued influence in, and significance for metaphysics, philosophy of mind and philosophy of science.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Gain familiarity with the seminal ideas, arguments and philosophical methods within Locke's Essay
- 2. Distinguish and evaluate certain positions and arguments within Locke's Essay
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Gain valuable experience in the understanding and making of arguments, the appreciation of the historical and social context of production of a philosophical text, and the ability to criticise it;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Understand how to get to the heart of a problem and to argue coherently and cogently (which is of value in any professional undertaking).
Syllabus plan
In this course we will read, analyse and discuss John Locke’s An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. (Recommended edition: P. H. Nidditch (ed.), Oxford, Oxford University Press. But the Penguin edition is cheaper and also quite good.)
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 and Teaching Activity | 22 | Weekly 2-hour lectures/seminars or 1 hour lecture + 1 hour seminar |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Reading and preparation for weekly lectures and discussion |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Preparation of assigned essay |
| Guided Independent Study | 48 | Exam revision and private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussion during weekly meetings and fortnightly seminars | Weekly | 1-4 | Verbal |
| Essay Draft | Draft of essay | 1-4 | Peer review |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 50 | 1 hr | 1-4 | Written |
| Essay | 50 | 1500 words | 1-4 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 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 hr) | 1-4 | August/September reassessment Period |
| Essay | Essay (1500 words) | 1-4 | August/September reassessment Period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Primary text:
Locke, John, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, P. H. Nidditch (ed), Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1979/1690.
Secondary Material:
Anstey, Peter (ed.), The Philosophy of John Locke: New Perspectives, London: Routledge, 2003.
Newman, Lex (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Locke’s Essay, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Key words search
John Locke; early modern philosophy; natural philosophy; epistemology; experimental philosophy
| 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 | 01/07/2009 |
| Last revision date | 01/01/2022 |
