This module’s emphasis is not on any particular philosophical content, but on the problem-solving skills that studying philosophy is meant to train. Students will be involved in three mini-projects, each devoted to a particular philosophical problem, which, in the context of this module, means a philosophical proof or argument that appears to be entirely valid, but whose conclusion is widely seen as unacceptable (as, for instance, John McTaggart’s proof that time does not exist).
In the first week of each section the problem is introduced and contextualized by the tutor, and then discussed with the whole cohort. Working groups are allocated, and they will then work on the problem. The other weeks are reserved for scheduled group-work sessions with the tutor on hand to clarify points of information and an opportunity to practise their presentation and get formative feedback on it from the tutor.