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 MYTHOLOGIES OF TRANSHUMANISM
Code PHIL313
Coordinator Prof M Hauskeller
Philosophy
M.Hauskeller@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

This module aims to familiarise students with key transhumanist concepts and arguments, their history and philosophical context. Participants will improve their ability to analyze arguments, criticize texts, write well-argued essays, and question received ideas. At the end of the module, they will, with limited guidance, be able to construct and evaluate as well as formulate and express ideas at an intermediate level of abstraction, and assess and criticize the views of others.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to distinguish between different ways of understanding concepts in philosophical debates about human enhancement.

Students will be able to explain and evaluate some of the main theories in debates about human enhancement.

Students will be able to analyse concepts and arguments relating to debates about human enhancement.

Students will be able to identify philosophical assumptions underlying ethical claims.
Students will be able to structure a philosophical discussion of current ethical issues.

Syllabus
1 

We will discuss the following topics: mythological paradigms, history of transhumanist ideas, human nature, cognitive enhancement, life extension and immortality, mind uploading, mood enhancement, and moral enhancement.

Library resources will be accessible through the module reading list, other key learning resources will accessible through VITAL. Students are expected to read all the core resources named on the reading list and to find their own supplementary resources.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - 11 x 1 hour lectures

Seminar - 11 x 1 hour seminars

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 11
11 x 1 hour lectures
11
11 x 1 hour seminars
        22
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 128
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  120  Assessment deadlines are consi  50  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Exam 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  2,000 words  Assessment deadlines are consi  40  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Essay 
Practical Assessment  10-15 minutes  During seminar session in seme  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Seminar Presentation There is no reassessment opportunity, Notes (applying to all assessments) Seminar presentation (10%). Presentations occur in seminars and are assessed by the seminar tutor. There is no re-sit opportunity. It is not possible for assessed presentations to be marked anonymously. 

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: