Undergraduate Course: Introduction to the History of Philosophy A (PHIL08019)
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 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The aim of this course is to introduce students to some of the texts, debates, and questions in the history of philosophy. |
| Course description |
The aim of this course is to introduce students to some central topics and figures in the history of philosophy in Greek antiquity and the Islamic world. Students will learn how to understand texts historically and philosophically.
The first part of the course is devoted to antiquity and focuses on the central question of ancient ethics: What is the good life? We will study the answers given to this question by Socrates (as presented by Plato in the Apology), by Plato (as developed in the Republic) and by Aristotle in his ethical writings.
The second part is devoted to philosophy in the Islamic world, focused on metaphysics, philosophy of mind, epistemology and philosophy of religion. We will study works by Avicenna (Ibn Sina) and al-Ghazali.
This course is one of two stand-alone introduction courses:
- Introduction to the History of Philosophy A
- Introduction to the History of Philosophy B
These are non-sequential, independent, courses.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students CANNOT take Introduction to the History of Philosophy A (PHIL08019) if they have already taken Introduction to the History of Philosophy (PHIL08018) OR Greats: From Plato to the Enlightenment (PHIL08016). |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 43,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
153 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
70 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Midterm assessment (30%) 1500 words
Final exam (70%) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | Introduction to the History of Philosophy A (PHIL08019) Final Exam | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the distinctive methods of philosophy and the history of philosophy.
- Demonstrate an understanding of some of the problems and questions in the history of philosophy.
- Appreciate the value of characteristically philosophical ways of thinking.
- Interpret, analyse, and critically evaluate the main claims and arguments of historical works of philosophy.
- Clearly explain, orally and in writing, their interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of historical works of philosophy.
|
Additional Information
| Course URL |
https://uoe.sharepoint.com/sites/hss/ppls/PPLS-Undergraduate-Student-Hub-home/SitePages/Handbooks-%26-Course-Guides-Philosophy.aspx |
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course aims to expand the views of students on philosophy, ensuring they experience a wide range of theories and concepts. They will learn how to challenge their own assumptions and perspectives, and be open minded to philosophical theories from different cultures. They will learn how to read and analyse philosophical arguments, and discuss and debate this (respectfully) within tutorials. Through the assessments they will learn how to write academically, and learn how to argue their point of view. The final exam will help them write concisely and within limited word counts, as well as good planning and time management.
Core skills gained on this course:
Critical thinking beyond traditional canon, challenging personal perspectives and assumptions, critical analysis, being open minded, note taking, academic reading skills, debating respectfully, written communication, writing concisely (within word counts), cultural sensitivity, time management. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Fedor Benevich
Tel:
Email: Fedor.Benevich@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Catriona Keay
Tel:
Email: ckeay4@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage