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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Philosophy

Undergraduate Course: Epistemology and Evidence Law (PHIL10185)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course applies theories and ideas from contemporary epistemology to questions and puzzles in the law of evidence - that branch of the law concerned with the proof of facts in legal proceedings.
Course description This course applies theories and ideas from contemporary epistemology to questions and puzzles in the law of evidence - that branch of the law concerned with the proof of facts in legal proceedings. Topics to be covered include the presumption of innocence, the beyond a reasonable doubt standard of proof, sentencing and punishment, character evidence, forensic evidence and eyewitness testimony. The course may also cover, in any given year, topics of particular contemporary interest - such as the use of biometric evidence in criminal prosecution, and the 'corroboration rule' and 'not proven' verdicts distinctive of Scots law.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014) AND Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Students studying MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) or Law are permitted to take this course without having met the pre-requisites of Mind, Matter and Language and Knowledge and Reality. However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their PT and the course organizer before enrolling.
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 174 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Coursework 100%:
Midterm essay 40%
Final Essay 60%
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Students will demonstrate a detailed understanding of a selection of central topics and theories in epistemology and evidence law.
  2. Students will critically assess and compare arguments in epistemology and evidence law and deploy these arguments for himself and herself.'
  3. Students will analyse complex arguments and concepts, and apply these abilities to topics in epistemology and evidence law.
  4. Students will write and discuss with clarity, rigour and structural transparency and develop appropriate research skills in philosophy.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsEpistemology,Evidence Law
Contacts
Course organiserDr Martin Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 3654
Email: Martin.Smith@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Ann-Marie Cowe
Tel: (0131 6)50 3961
Email: Annmarie.Cowe@ed.ac.uk
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