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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

Postgraduate Course: Epistemology and Evidence Law (PHIL11195)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all 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 Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  8
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) Final Essay (2500 words)
Feedback Students will have the opportunity to submit a 1500 formative essay.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. demonstrate a detailed understanding of a selection of central topics and theories in epistemology and evidence law
  2. critically assess and compare arguments in epistemology and evidence law and deploy these arguments for themselves
  3. analyse complex arguments and concepts, and apply these abilities to topics in epistemology and evidence law
  4. write and discuss with greater clarity, rigour and structural transparency and develop appropriate research skills in philosophy
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Reading, understanding and critically engaging with research; critical thinking; constructive oral engagement; essay writing.
Keywordsepistemology,evidence,law
Contacts
Course organiserDr Martin Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 3654
Email: Martin.Smith@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Becky Verdon
Tel: (0131 6)50 3860
Email: Rebecca.Verdon@ed.ac.uk
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