Undergraduate Course: Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the main problems in epistemology and metaphysics. Topics vary by year, and may include: defining knowledge, scepticism, testimony, disagreement, modality, universals and particulars, causation, free will, and social/feminist metaphysics and epistemology. |
| Course description |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Outside students are welcome to take this course. There are no official pre-requisites, and the course will not presuppose material from previous philosophy courses. However, students should be aware that, as this is a second year course, having a background in philosophy is an advantage. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should usually have at least 1 introductory level Philosophy course at grade B or above for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses.
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| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 270 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 33,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
151 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Mid-Term Essay (30%)
Final Assignment (70%)
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the distinctive methods of philosophy.
- Understand the basic problems of epistemology and metaphysics.
- Appreciate of the value of characteristically philosophical ways of thinking.
- Articulate and defend philosophical positions in epistemology and metaphysics.
- Analyze and critically evaluate arguments in epistemology and metaphysics.
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Additional Information
| Course URL |
https://www.ed.ac.uk/ppls/philosophy/current/undergraduate/handbooks |
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Through the lectures, readings and assessments, students will enhance their learning on how to critically analyse texts and philosophical theories. When reading, students will learn how to read a text to fully understand and deconstruct the argument, and then assess its validity - bringing this skill to the assessment. They will continue developing their analytic skills, learning how to consider different sides and perspectives to an argument before deciding on their stance. Tutorials allow students to develop their ideas, test theories, discuss, debate and consider others' perspectives to cement their understanding of a theory. The tutorials may link the theories with contemporary social and political issues, which could be difficult for some students. They will learn how to manage their well-being and resilience when dealing with these topics. In the assessments students will develop their written communication and argumentation skill - being able to formulate their own argument and be able to justify it.
Core skills gained on this course:
Critical thinking, critical analysis, considering alternative perspectives, developing arguments/argument critique, looking for the wider context, being open minded, challenging assumptions, deconstructing complex theories, public speaking, discussing and debating respectfully, clear written communication, writing concisely, well-being management. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Lecturers:
Dr Aidan McGlynn
Dr Alasdair Richmond
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Aidan McGlynn
Tel: (0131 6)51 6333
Email: amcglynn@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Catriona Keay
Tel:
Email: ckeay4@ed.ac.uk |
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