| Unit name | Philosophical Foundations |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHILM0052 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Wilhelm |
| 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 |
Why is this unit important
This unit addresses core philosophical questions, arguments and positions in some of the most central fields in philosophy. The unit addresses such question like, for example, the nature of knowledge, the nature of time, metaethical debates, such as, for example, debates about the nature of moral value, or the importance of emotions in morality. It will also analyse philosophical methods, such as, for example, the role of thought experiments or the role of intuitions in philosophical argument and the nature of philosophy itself. Apart from introducing students to complex issues, arguments and positions in meta-philosophy, epistemology, metaphysics and value theory this unit also prepares students to engage in high level independent research and will develop oral and written presentation skills.
This unit is foundational to other units on the programme.
Hoe does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit is a foundational unit. It introduces all students to Master level philosophical enquiry of core positions in central areas of philosophy, both in terms of complexity and depth of enquiry and argument. It introduces all students to high level research and presentation skills and to philosophical methods, meta-philosophical, metaphysical, epistemological and value theoretical questions, arguments and positions that form the backbone of other units on this programme, and so provides them with a toolbox that enables high performance in all other units. It also equips students with skills that will help them to understand key ongoing and developing debates in various areas of philosophy, and to take part in them effectively at that level.
An overview of content
This unit will cover core aspects of philosophical methodology, the nature of philosophical argument and various key position and arguments in meta-philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology and value theory. It will also introduce students to research methods and allow students to develop and improve research skills as well as written and oral presentation skills at a level appropriate for MA students.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of this unit
This unit will allow students to engage confidently with complex and difficult philosophical material and produce high level philosophical work on their own. It will strengthen and deepen argumentative skills and enhance the range of philosophical tools available to students, which in turn allows them to engage in in-depth analysis and argumentation within and outside of philosophy. The assessments allow students to develop presentation skills which should also positively affect confidence. The introduction to research methods further fosters the independence and autonomy of students.
Learning Outcomes
Students successfully completing the unit will be able to:
Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare for your summative tasks (formative):
none
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Individual Presentation (10%) [ILOs 1-3; 5-6]
Summative essay 1 (4000 words) (40%) [ILOs 1-4, 6]
Summative essay 2 (6000 words) (50%) [ILOs 1-4, 6]
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. PHILM0052).
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.
