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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Centre for Open Learning : Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

Undergraduate Course: Introducing Philosophy (Credit Plus) (PHIL07002)

Course Outline
SchoolCentre for Open Learning CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis 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?
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  30
Course Start Lifelong Learning - Session 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 50, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 48 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Three components of assessment:

Assessment 1 - 10%: Mean average of best 8 (out of 10) multiple choice quizzes based on course topics and readings.

Assessment 2 - 20%: Presentation (15%) slides (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 Learn 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).

Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Identify and understand some of the central issues in philosophy
  2. Demonstrate their understanding both orally and in writing;
  3. Employ critical skills of argument and analysis
  4. Undertake further study in the humanities
  5. Engage confidently with a range of learning technologies.
Reading List
Cottingham, J., 2008. Western Philosophy - An Anthology. 2nd ed. London: Blackwell.

Hamilton, C., 2003. Understanding Philosophy for AS Level. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.

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
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserMrs Anthea Coleman-Chan
Tel: (0131 6)51 1589
Email: Anthea.Coleman-Chan@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk
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