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 READING AND WRITING THEORETICAL PHILOSOPHY
Code PHIL108
Coordinator Dr RJ Mckenna
Philosophy
R.J.Mckenna@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 4 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

  1. To consolidate the academic skills and knowledge necessary for the critical reading and writing of philosophy.

  2. To consolidate students'' appreciation of the value of philosophy.

  3. To consolidate students'' ability to read and take notes effectively.

  4. To consolidate students'' skill in presenting complex ideas to an audience and in practising the intellectual virtues associated with philosophical discussion.

  5. To consolidate students'' skill in writing rigorously argued, well-written and well-presented essays.

  6. To consolidate students'' research skills.

  7. To consolidate students'' appreciation of, and ability to use, forward-facing feedback and review.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to explain and evaluate some central work from the early modern period, covering the following topics: (i) perception; (ii) personal identity; (iii) freedom and determinism.

Students will develop greater skill and confidence in giving structured seminar presentations and in conducting discussion in a manner that displays the intellectual virtues associated with philosophy.

Students will develop greater skill and confindence in writing essays that embody a philosophically-informed approach to argumentation.

Students will be able to use the Harvard system of referencing.

Students will be able to conduct independent research in support of their work, using appropriate print and online resources (including the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy and the Philosopher''s Index).

Syllabus
1  Each presentation of this module will include discussion of some classic readings selected from the early modern period. The readings chosen will complement, but not overlap with, readings on other modules offered at this level by the Department in the same year of presentation.
  • Perception
  • Personal identity
  • Freedom and determinism
Themes drawn from early modern philosophy (perception, personal identity, freedom and determinism) will be covered in continuous blocks lasting 3-4 weeks each. Students will be expected to read one or two pieces per week (depending on the length of the set readings) and to conduct some secondary research each week.

The lectures will be devoted to teaching study skills. They will cover similar material to PHIL107 but at a higher level of sophistication. The indicative content of the lectures is as follows:< /span>
  • How to give a successful seminar presentation.
  • How to reconstruct and evaluate arguments.
  • How to approach reading philosophical texts, including those written in antiquated and unfamilar styles and those written in dialogue form.
  • Taking notes based on reading.
  • How to write a well-structured, fully relevant philosophy essay.
  • How to identify relevant secondary literature.
  • How to use the Harvard system for page references.
  • How to format a bibl iography using the Harvard system.
  • Taking notes at classes.
  • How to evaluate internet sources.
  • How to use online resources for philosophy, including the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy and the Philosopher''s Index.
  • Learning from feedback on your work. 

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Seminar - 11 x 1 hour seminar, starting in Week 1.

Workshop - Information skills workshop, provided by the Library.

Lecture - 11 x 1 hour lecture, starting in Week 1.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 11
11 x 1 hour lecture, starting in Week 1.
11
11 x 1 hour seminar, starting in Week 1.
      2
Information skills workshop, provided by the Library.
24
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 126
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1500 words  2  40  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 
Coursework  2000 words  2  50  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 
Practical Assessment  5-10 minutes  2  10  No reassessment opportunity  Late submission is not possible.  Assessment 3 There is no reassessment opportunity, Notes (applying to all assessments) Essay 1 (40%). If a student both fails this essay and fails the module as a whole, then the student will normally be required to submit another essay counting for 40% of the module result during the re-sit period. Essay 2 (50%). If a student both fails this essay and fails the module as a whole, then the student will normally be required to submit another essay counting for 50% of the module result during the re-sit period. Seminar Presentation (10%). This takes place in class and there is no re-sit opportunity. It is not possible for assessed presentations to be marked anonymously. If a student submits both essays but fails the module as a whole because the assessed presentation has not been given, then the student will normally be required to retake both Essay 1 and Essay 2 during the re-sit period, regardless of the original marks for these assignment tasks. When extenuating circumstances result in failure of the module due to the assessed presentation having been missed, this will be handled via the University's standard procedures for extenuating circumstances. 

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: