| Unit name | Introduction to Philosophy A |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL10005 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. TzuChien Tho |
| 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, Law and Social Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
An introductory unit for all taking Philosophy as beginners, this unit leads students into some central problems of epistemology (the study of knowledge) and metaphysics (the study of reality). These are central pillars of the analytic philosophical tradition that play a central role in all philosophical enquiry. The unit introduces students to central concepts, such as knowledge, truth, mind, causation, and the distinction between reality and appearance; and provides them with the opportunity to engage with key historical texts in the analytic tradition.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The unit provides students with the foundations in the study of knowledge, the study of reality, and the study of truth that are central to philosophical theories and analysis in all later philosophy units that they will encounter throughout their programme.
An overview of content
The unit consists of two strands, one text-based and one topic-based. The text-based strand consists of focuses on texts that are of central importance in the history of analytic philosophical approaches to metaphysics and epistemology, such as Descartes' Meditations and Hume's first Enquiry. The topic-based strand consists of lectures on knowledge, truth, and the distinction between reality and appearance.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will develop the ability to think about the difference between mere belief and knowledge and about the differences between mere appearance and reality. They will have experience in engaging with and interpreting significant historical philosophical texts.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Detailed Essay Plan
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
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. PHIL10005).
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.
