Undergraduate Course: Introduction to the History of Philosophy B (PHIL08020)
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 from the modern era. Students will learn how to understand texts historically and philosophically.
The first part of the course will focus on the works of David Hume and Immanuel Kant, among others. We will examine their responses to central questions of early modern philosophy, such as: Are all human actions motivated by selfishness? What is the foundation of morality? Do humans have free will?
The second part of the course will turn to the twentieth century and consider works by Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Frantz Fanon. We will consider their views about freedom and morality, consciousness and self-consciousness, as well as gender and race.
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 |
Students MUST have passed:
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
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 essay (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 B (PHIL08020) 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 students¿ views 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, as well as the ways in which philosophical arguments can be presented. They will learn how to read and analyse philosophical arguments, and discuss and debate this (respectfully) within tutorials. Through the assessment they will learn how to write academically, and learn how to argue their point of view. The 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 about and beyond the traditional canon (decolonising the canon), challenging personal perspectives and assumptions, critical analysis, being open minded, note taking, academic reading skills, debating respectfully, written communication, writing concisely, cultural sensitivity, time management. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Michael Gill
Tel: (0131 6)51 3083
Email: mgill@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Joan MacKenzie
Tel:
Email: jmacken8@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage