Undergraduate Course: Introducing Philosophy (Credit Plus) (PHIL07002)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course is for students on the HSS International Foundation Programme only; it is not available to undergraduate students.
It will provide a general introduction to philosophy and aim to help students develop academic skills required for successful undergraduate study in the humanities. It is intended more generally to promote active learning. |
| Course description |
1. Introduction
a. What is philosophy?
b. What are the origins of philosophy?
c. Why do we do philosophy?
2. Epistemology
a. What is knowledge?
b. What can we know for certain?
c. How do we know things?
3. Moral Philosophy
a. Are we really moral?
b. Is right and wrong relative to culture?
c. How should we act?
4. Applied Ethics
a. Is killing worse than letting die?
b. Do animals have rights?
c. Is abortion wrong?
5. Political Philosophy
a. Do we need the State?
b. Does multiculturalism work?
c. Why is freedom of speech important?
6. Assessment workshops
a. How to write philosophy essays.
b. Essay planning and presentation.
c. Timetabling and discussion of short presentations.
7. Philosophy of Religion
a. Does God exist?
b. How do we account for the existence of evil?
c. What does it mean to have faith?
8. Philosophy of Mind
a. Am I my mind or my body?
b. Can machines think?
c. What ensures my survival over time?
9. Metaphysics
a. What is determinism?
b. Do we have free will?
c. Are we ever responsible for our actions?
10. Aesthetics
a. What is beauty?
b. Is beauty in the eye of the beholder?
c. What is art?
11. Existentialism
a. What is existentialism?
b. Does life have meaning?
c. How should we live our lives?
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2016/17, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Please contact the School directly for a breakdown of Learning and Teaching Activities |
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Please contact the School directly for a breakdown of Assessment Methods
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Three components of assessment:
Assessment 1 10%: Mean average of weekly multiple choice quizzes on LEARN based on weekly required reading.
Assessment 2 20%: Presentation and abstract (15%) participation (5%). Each student will be required to give a short (5-10 minute) presentation in response to the set reading/ listening. The student must also post an abstract of their presentation on WebCT for comment and discussion from the rest of the group. The 20% will be determined generally in terms of participation in tutorial and LEARN discussion (5%) and particularly with regard to the presentation/ abstract (15%).
Assessment 3: Essay ¿ 70%. Students are required to submit one essay of 1000 words at the end of the course.
To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 40% in the combined mark (and a minimum of 30% in each assessment component).
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
¿ Identify and understand some of the central issues in philosophy;
¿ Demonstrate their understanding both orally and in writing;
¿ Employ critical skills of argument and analysis;
¿ Undertake further study in the humanities;
¿ Engage confidently with a range of learning technologies.
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Reading List
Cottingham, J., 2008. Western Philosophy - An Anthology. 2nd ed. London: Blackwell.
Hamilton, C., 2003. Understanding Philosophy for AS Level. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The critical skills learnt through philosophy can be applied across the range of academic disciplines and beyond. In addition, the students will engage with a variety of learning technologies and develop their confidence in public speaking. |
| Special Arrangements |
Students must only be enrolled by the Office of Lifelong Learning |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr James Mooney
Tel: (0131 6)50 3077
Email: james.mooney@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Anthea Coleman-Chan
Tel: (0131 6)51 1589
Email: Anthea.Coleman-Chan@ed.ac.uk |
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