Unit information: Philosophy of Philosophy in 2024/25

Unit name Philosophy of Philosophy
Unit code PHILM0046
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Stamets
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

Unit Information

Philosophers have long debated not just how to resolve particular philosophical issues but how to do philosophy itself. This unit will focus on analysing and comparing different foundational approaches to philosophy, including questions like:

  • Is philosophy primarily the analysis and clarification of linguistic concepts?
  • Should philosophy be guided by science?
  • Can philosophy be demarcated from other disciplines?
  • Is there such a thing as ‘experimental philosophy’?
  • Should philosophy be political? Can it not be?
  • Is there good and bad philosophy?

Each year, the unit will tackle one or more such questions and guide the students through a deep foundational analysis of what it means to be a philosopher and to do philosophy. It is therefore an excellent unit for students who wish to engage intensely with metaphilosophy and who enjoy discussing the crucial foundational divides underpinning many contemporary philosophical debates.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate key debates and concepts within philosophical methodology.
  2. Critically assess positions and arguments within these debates.
  3. Construct persuasive philosophical arguments appropriate to level M.
  4. Demonstrate advanced philosophical and research skills (e.g. clear and concise presentation of ideas, constructing and evaluating arguments, carrying out independent research).

How you will learn

Lectures, seminars, small group work, virtual learning environment.

How you will be assessed

Reflective journal (up to 2000 words) (20%) [ILOs 1,2]

4000 word essay (80%)[ILOs 1-4]

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.

Resources

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. PHILM0046).

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.