PHI-20021 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Questions concerning knowledge and reality strike at the heart of the philosophical enterprise, as they are some of the most fundamental questions that have occurred to us as human beings. As such, epistemology (the study of knowledge) and metaphysics (the study of reality) are the two central areas of philosophy. This module gives an opportunity to study key contemporary debates that touch on the most fundamental questions about our world and what we can know about it. Informed by the latest scholarship, we will reflect on such questions as:
1) What is time?
2) What is causation?
3) What is knowledge, and how do we get it?
4) Can we define knowledge?
5) What is it to be an object?
Students will be able to critically assess these and other important philosophical topics, and encouraged to develop their own personal views.

The course aims:
1) To give students a deeper grounding the two central areas of philosophy: metaphysics and epistemology
2) To develop core study skills, including writing and research, as well as developing some key employability skills

Intended Learning Outcomes

Analyse and critically assess key approaches in metaphysics and epistemology: 1,2
Explain some of the central debates in metaphysics and epistemology: 1,2
Develop and defend views regarding debates in metaphysics and epistemology: 1,2
Write about philosophical issues in metaphysics and epistemology with clarity and precision: 1,2
Summarise and analyse key readings from metaphysics and epistemology: 1,2

Study hours

Active Learning:
10 hours attendance at lectures
10 hours attendance at seminars
50 hours directed study and preparation for seminars using online resources provided by the module leader
Independent Learning:
40 hours study and preparation for reader report assessment
40 hours study and preparation for essay assessment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment