| Unit name | Fiction and Fictionalism |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL20068 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Everett |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
We are all familiar with fictions from Romeo and Juliet to Jaws, from The Hobbit to Harry Potter. Despite this familiarity, the nature of fiction and of our engagement with it appears puzzling. On the one hand, fictional characters do not exist. On the other hand, we can think and talk about them. Indeed, it seems we can make true claims about them, e.g. that Romeo is the son of Montague. But how can that be true, if it is also true that there is no such person as Romeo? Likewise we are often fascinated by fictional characters. Some might inspire us to lead better lives. Others might repel us or serve as warnings about how not to live. How can things that appear not to exist play such important roles in our lives? The aim of this module is to explore what fiction is, and what our relationship with fiction involves. We will lastly consider whether we engage with fictions outside of the realm of art and literature, for example, when talking about morality or mathematics or possibility.
The unit builds on positions that all Philosophy students (both SH and JH) will have studied in the compulsory C/4 Intro A and Intro B units. The unit also complements content that is covered across a broad spectrum of optional I/5 and H/6 units that focus on topics such as aesthetics, philosophy of language, ethics and literature, metaphysics, and the philosophy of mathematics.
An overview of content
The unit will cover some of the following topics: the nature of truth in fiction, our emotional responses to fiction, whether fiction can morally educate the reader (and if so how), fiction and the human condition, the puzzle of imaginative resistance, discourse external to fiction, negative existential statements, the difference between fiction and non-fiction, the ontology of fiction, the nature of fictional characters, metaphysical fictionalism, fictionalism about morality, fictionalism about modality, fictionalism about mathematics.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will leave the unit with the skills to critically analyse and assess the nature of fiction and relationship between fiction and other key areas in philosophy. Students will also acquire the ability to apply the ideas they have studied and the methodologies they have acquired in the unit to other areas of philosophy.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
2 hours of lectures and 1 x 1-hour seminar per week
The lectures will introduce key content and model philosophical skills including outlining positions and explaining their importance, critically evaluating debates, and constructing persuasive philosophical arguments.
The seminars give students a chance to learn by articulating philosophical ideas and engaging in interactive learning with fellow students.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
None
Tasks which do not count towards your unit mark but are required for credit (zero-weighted):
None
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Group Debate Task (20%) [ILOs 1, 3, 4]
Essay, 3,000 words (80%) [ILOs 1, 2, 3]
When assessment does not go to plan:
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHIL20068).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
