Undergraduate Course: Introducing Philosophy (Credit Plus) (PHIL07002)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| 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 CAHSS 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 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 60 |
| 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 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| 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
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.
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student 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 Centre for Open Learning |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Douglas Dougan
Tel:
Email: ddougan@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr John Ethcuit
Tel: (0131 6)50 3409
Email: jethcuit@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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