FP037-30 Philosophy
Introductory description
FP037-30 Philosophy
Module aims
- To provide a broad, introductory, critical overview of the core traditions in Philosophy
- To familiarise students with a range of key philosophers, their written works and ideas
- To debate key areas of philosophical argument and their application in a real-world context.
- To introduce students to the language and logic associated with arguing philosophically.
- To provide a range of opportunities to develop a variety of skills including critical thinking, essay writing, analysis and evaluation that will enable students to engage successfully in philosophical dialogue.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Introduction to Philosophy – the construction, type and forms of philosophical arguments including a posteriori/ a priori, inductive/ deductive, analytic/ synthetic distinctions.
- Moral Philosophy – where human concepts of goodness originate from and what makes an action “good”. Normative ethics - Teleological/ deontological/ value based systems – Application of these methods to real life issues and evaluation of the effectiveness of them.
- Epistemology – debates about what knowledge is and how do we ‘know’ anything. Empiricism/ rationalism debates – analysis and evaluation of the contributions of key scholars e.g. Plato/ Aristotle and those outside the Western tradition to this debate.
- Metaphysics– Why is there something and not nothing? Focusing on science vs religion debates of cosmology. Freewill vs determinism – application and implications of concepts e.g. psychological determinism to our understanding of ethics/ law/ real life scenarios. Discussions around mind-body problem.
Arguments to be drawn from a variety of backgrounds including Confucianism, Advaita Vedanta (Indian Philosophy), Islamic Philosophy (e.g. Kalam Cosmological argument) as well work of modern scholars including Ted Honderich. Focus will also be given to female scholars.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Identify and explain, using examples where relevant, key philosophical arguments, including those found in philosophical texts.
- Apply different philosopher’s ideas and theories to a variety of areas of debate in Philosophy.
- Analyse and evaluate different arguments in Philosophy, by recognising the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments given.
- Use philosophical terminology correctly.
- Formulate critical, reasoned, personal responses to a variety of different debates in philosophy.
Indicative reading list
Baggini J (2018) How the World Thinks. Granta
Blackburn S (2001) Being Good: An Introduction to Ethics OUP
Blackburn S (1999) Think: a compelling introduction to Philosophy OUP
Guttenplan S (2003) Reading Philosophy: Selected texts with method for beginners Blackwell
Grayling AC (1998) Philosophy: A Guide Through the Subject OUP
Mackie JL (1977) Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong Penguin
Nagel J (2014) Knowledge: A Very Short Introduction OUP
Nagel T (2004) What does it all Mean? OUP
Pojman L (2002) Ethics: Discovering Right and Wrong Wadsworth/Thomson Learning
Singer P ed (1994) Ethics OUP
Warburton N (2013) Philosophy: The Basics Routledge
Warburton N (2017) Thinking from A-Z 3rd edition Routledge
View reading list on Talis Aspire
International
There will be discussion of ethical issues from an international perspective. Students will be asked to engage with philosophers and theories from different traditions e.g. Confuscianism or Advaita where appropriate and to compare/ contrast their approaches. The module will be theme based and so it will be possible to bring in contributions from non-Western Philosophy
Subject specific skills
To develop students use of analysis to interpret and critique existing philosophical debates and draw their own conclusions from the examination of primary and secondary sources.
Transferable skills
Critical reading
Critical Thinking
Debating
Written Communication Skills
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 25 sessions of 1 hour (8%) |
| Seminars | 75 sessions of 1 hour (25%) |
| Tutorials | (0%) |
| Online learning (independent) | (0%) |
| Private study | 140 hours (47%) |
| Assessment | 60 hours (20%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Students will be expected to undertake reading and research in preparation for seminars; undertake formative assessments as well as homework activities.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group D2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| 1,500 word essay | 35% | 20 hours | Yes (extension) |
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“Discursive essay looking at an area of debate in epistemology in philosophy which will assess student's ability to evaluate different perspectives/ concepts, explain key ideas clearly and come to their own reasoned conclusion.” |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Philosophy VLOG | 25% | 15 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Submission of 3-5 minute VLOG. Students will be assessed on their ability to explain the key elements of a philosophical text in the form of an article or scholars views linked to ethics and to offer their personal responses to it. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Online Examination | 40% | 25 hours | No |
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“Examination assessing the learning of the metaphysics elements of the Philosophy module .” ~Platforms - WAS
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Written comments via tabula; tutorials for students who wish to have further guidance.
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
FIOE Warwick International Foundation Programme
- Year 1 of FP25 Warwick International Foundation Programme - Arts and Humanities
- Year 1 of FP23 Warwick International Foundation Programme - Social Sciences