PH9F2-30 Research Methods
Introductory description
What is it to do research in philosophy? Among other things, it is to engage in philosophers' particular ways of "doing philosophy", which reflect themselves in particular ways of arguing, writing, and discussing. What is distinctive about philosophy is that right from the earliest Presocratic thinkers up to the present day, this activity of doing philosophy is itself subject to philosophical investigation and reflection. In this module, you will become part of this tradition, by both improving and reflecting on your practice of doing philosophy.
Module aims
The module aims to improve students’ ability to study and reflect on philosophical methods, and develop research skills in preparation for further scholarly research, by engaging with a broad range of philosophical issues that are central to different philosophical traditions. For each seminar, students will have read in advance a philosophical text representative of a distinctive philosophical tradition, approach and methodology. Students will give an oral presentation on the text to initiate guided critical discussion of the reading. During these discussions students will be guided in their reflection upon philosophical methods, research techniques, and the most effective ways of presenting arguments and ideas orally and in writing.
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.
TERM 1
Week 2: Winch on the Nature of Philosophy
– Part I of The Idea of a Social Science and its Relation to Philosophy
Wk. 4: Quine on Ontological Commitment
WVO Quine, "On What there Is"
Wk. 7 Frege on the content of Thought
Gottlob Frege. "The Thought"
Week 9: Anscombe on Moral Philosophy
GEM Anscombe. "Modern Moral Philosophy"
TERM 2
Wk. 2. Nagel on Consciousness
T. Nagel. "What is it like to be a bat?"
Wk. 4. Williams on the nature of Philosophy.
B. Williams. 'Philosophy as a Humanistic Discipline'
Wk. 7. Strawson on Free Will.
P. Strawson. 'Freedom and resentment'.
Wk. 9 Lemmon on Moral Dilemmas
EJ Lemmon. "Moral Dilemmas"
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Have a systematic and advanced understanding and knowledge of the texts covered in the module, the main arguments of the texts, and critical responses to those arguments.
- Be able to communicate at an advanced level clearly and substantively in speech and in writing on the questions addressed in the module. They should be able to provide critical analysis of the relevant texts.
- Be able to work autonomously to articulate their own view of the relative merits of arguments, methodologies and positions in the literature, and engage critically with other points of view.
- Be able to demonstrate the skills involved in philosophical discussion, they will have improved abilities to analyse and critically asses complex concepts and arguments. They will be able to communicate at an advanced level clearly and substantively in speech, as well as in writing, the philosophical arguments and concepts covered in the texts. They will be able to demonstrate sound judgement and initiative in selecting appropriate texts and methods for their investigation of a specifically circumscribed problem and should have acquired an advanced ability to pursue and organize philosophical research using a range of sources (print and electronic media), documenting research carefully, and showing the ability to engage independently in philosophical debate.
Indicative reading list
See outline syllabus
Research element
The short essays and presentation elements of the module are all research-based.
Subject specific skills
By the end of the module students will:
- Have a systematic and advanced understanding and knowledge of the texts covered in the module.
- Be able to communicate at an advanced level clearly and substantively in speech and in writing on the questions addressed in the module.
- Be able to work autonomously to articulate their own view of the relative merits of arguments, methodologies and positions in the literature, and engage critically with other points of view.
- Be able to communicate at an advanced level clearly and substantively in speech, as well as in writing, the philosophical arguments and concepts covered in the texts.
Transferable skills
By the end of the module students will have acquired an advanced ability
- to pursue and organize independent research
- to understand, analyse and critique complex arguments
- to use a range of sources (print and electronic media) in documenting research
- to present the outcome of research in writing
To present their research orally to audiences, using power point and handouts
Study time
Type | Required |
---|---|
Seminars | 9 sessions of 2 hours (6%) |
Private study | 282 hours (94%) |
Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Private study: reading and making notes on reading materials. Writing essays and presentations. Possible discussion with peers.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group D
Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
---|---|---|---|
1st Critical Essay (2500 words) | 40% | Yes (extension) | |
2500 word essay |
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2nd Critical Essay (2500 words) | 40% | Yes (extension) | |
2500 word essay |
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Oral presentation | 20% | Yes (extension) |
Feedback on assessment
Written feedback on essays and presentation transcript in Tabula
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of TPHA-V7PM Postgraduate Taught Philosophy
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 2 of TPHA-V7PN Postgraduate Taught Philosophy and the Arts