Module Details |
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module. |
Title | The Meaning of Life and Death: Exploring the Ultimate Question | ||
Code | PHIL273 | ||
Coordinator |
Professor M Hauskeller Philosophy M.Hauskeller@liverpool.ac.uk |
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Year | CATS Level | Semester | CATS Value |
Session 2022-23 | Level 5 FHEQ | Second Semester | 15 |
Aims |
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This module aims to familiarise students with concepts and arguments that play a key role in the philosophical discussion on meaning in life. Students will improve their ability to analyse and critically evaluate arguments, and to develop, refine, articulate, and present their own views on challenging intellectual and existential problems. |
Learning Outcomes |
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(LO1) Students will acquire a good working knowledge of the key philosophical issues that questions regarding meaning in life raise. |
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(LO2) Students will become familiar with the main theories and arguments in the philosophical debate about meaning in life. |
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(LO3) Students will learn how to conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews and to report their findings. |
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(LO4) Students will learn how to provide critical summaries of philosophical texts. |
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(S1) Students will develop skills in working collaboratively to analyse qualitative data and present team responses to philosophical problems. |
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(S2) Students will develop their analytical skills in relation to selected philosophical challenges. |
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(S3) Students will enhance their oral and written communications skills and develop skills in explaining complex material in a concise and precise manner. |
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(S4) Students will develop their ability to sift through information, assessing its relevance and importance to what is at issue. |
Syllabus |
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The module will focus on the following key topics: the connection between meaning of life and meaning in life, the meaning of ‘meaning’ when applied to people’s lives, mortality’s threat to meaning, meaning and story-telling, meaning and purpose, meaning and objective values, the experience of meaning (and meaninglessness), meaning and impact, meaning and happiness, meaning and non-human animals. The module can be taken as a preparation for the third-year module on Existentialism (PHIL332). Library resources will be accessible through the module reading list, other key learning resources will be accessible through Canvas. Students are expected to read all the core resources named on the reading list and to find their own supplementary resources. Independent reading around the topics discussed is recommended, but not essential. Indicative List of Core Readings: |
Teaching and Learning Strategies |
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Discussion seminars: 1 hour per week, 11 hours in total, used for the free (text-independent) exploration of the philosophical issues that the meaning-in-life topic raises. Text analysis seminars: 1 hour per week, 11 hours in total, used for a close reading and analysis of key philosophical texts relating to the issues explored in the discussion seminars. Independent learning: 128 hours, to be used for interviews, group deliberations, seminar preparation, reading of core texts, note taking, critical reflections, and reading of other relevant literature related to the module topic. |
Teaching Schedule |
Lectures | Seminars | Tutorials | Lab Practicals | Fieldwork Placement | Other | TOTAL | |
Study Hours |
11 11 |
22 | |||||
Timetable (if known) |
60 mins X 1 totaling 11
60 mins X 1 totaling 11 |
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Private Study | 128 | ||||||
TOTAL HOURS | 150 |
Assessment |
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EXAM | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
Take home exam. Resit possible. | 2 | 70 | ||||
CONTINUOUS | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
Interview report. Resit possible as individual or group interview report. (Students resitting this assessment will be expected to work together as a team). | 0 | 15 | ||||
Seminar engagement and contribution. Resit opportunity: oral exam: 30 minutes. | 0 | 15 |
Recommended Texts |
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Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module. |