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Study information

Introduction to Philosophical Analysis

Module titleIntroduction to Philosophical Analysis
Module codePHL1006
Academic year2023/4
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Jonathan Davies ()

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

150

Module description

On this module, you will be introduced to various conceptions of philosophy that have existed over time, and you will develop your interpretive skills through the study of classic texts. You will be introduced to five different conceptions of philosophy and study  texts illustrative of each, together with critical commentaries. This will teach you to appreciate the differences between styles of philosophical writing and thinking, the historical and philosophical reasons for those differences, and the implications for the kind of arguments that are produced. You will also learn how adopting these different styles can affect and inform your own way of thinking and arguing, and you will be encouraged to assess which of these styles better suits your skills and aims in studying philosophy. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module has two aims: to introduce you to the various conceptions of philosophy that have existed over time, and to develop your interpretive skills through the study of classic texts. You will be introduced to five different conceptions of philosophy and study  texts illustrative of each, together with critical commentaries.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. address and assess complex issues analytically
  • 2. demonstrate in writing and orally knowledge of five major conceptions of philosophy, and the abilitycapacity to evaluate the differences between those conceptions
  • 3. evaluate which conception of philosophy better suits your own interests and aims in studying philosophy, and to explain why

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. demonstrate in writing and orally an abilitycapacity to appreciate clarity as a worthwhile goal of philosophical analysis, and then use this skill to tackle more effectively the specific philosophical issues to which one is drawn.
  • 5. demonstrate basic competence in the production of clear and rigorous analytical examination in written work

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 6. think clearly and rigorously
  • 7. demonstrate in writing an ability tothe capacity appreciate the virtues of an analytical approach to the consideration of evidence, argument and justification
  • 8. to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task .

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

1. Philosophy as way of life
2. Philosophy as critique of knowledge
3. Philosophy as genealogy
4. Philosophy as linguistic analysis
5. Experimental philosophy

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
scheduled learning activity 2211 x 2 hours per week comprising of lectures and seminars
Guided independent study 55 11 x 5 hours for course readings
Guided independent study 32.5 Reading for and writing of essay
Guided independent study 40.5Preparing for exam

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay 750 words1-7Written feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
01000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Examination1001 hour 30 minutes1-8Written
0
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Examination Examination (1 hour 30 minutes)1-8August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic Reading:

 

J. Hospers, An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis (Routledge, 1997)
Bryan Magee, The Great Philosophers (BBC, 1987)
S. Blackburn, Think (OUP,1999)
M. Scriven, Reasoning (McGraw-Hill, 1976)
M. Hollis, Invitation to Philosophy (Blackwell, 1997)

 

 

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web-based and electronic resources:

ELE webpage for this course: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Internet Encyclopaedia for Philosophy: http://www.iep.utm.edu/

EpistemeLinks (list of philosophy resources on the Internet): http://epistemelinks.com/

Stanford Encyclopaedia for Philosophy: http://www.seop.leeds.ac.uk/

Key words search

Philosophy, analysis, argument, philosophical approaches, philosophical traditions, critique

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

4

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

12/01/2012

Last revision date

29/04/2022