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Reading Philosophy - PHI00074M

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  • Department: Philosophy
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. David Ingram
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module will explore one or two key contemporary or historical philosophical texts over the course of a semester. Texts can vary each year depending upon the research interests of the faculty member(s) leading the module, but the texts will always be significant works that will benefit from close study.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

The module is designed (i) to guide postgraduate students through the close reading of one or two rich and rewarding texts, (ii) to encourage students to engage philosophically in a sustained way with a text and to offer their own critical reflections, and (iii) to enhance philosophical skills of close reading, argument and debate through seminar discussion and written work. (Though seminar work will focus on one or two core texts, students will be expected to explore related work, including responses to a given text, to understand the main text in its intellectual context.)

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to display an in-depth and systematic understanding of one or two core philosophical texts, and the key topics presented and discussed within, as well as a grasp of the forefront of current research in the area through some independent engagement with related secondary sources, which will provide a solid grounding for further independent research on related topics.

By the end of this module, students will have developed better skills of close reading and should be able to analyse complex texts in detail and depth. And, students will show the ability to work independently and self-critically on an extended essay that goes beyond the core framework that is provided in seminars.

Module content

For 2023/24, the texts to be studied are Philippa Foot's Natural Goodness and Theodore Sider's Four-Dimensionalism.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Summative Assessment - Parts A and B		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formative assessments

The first 500-word essay plan is due on Monday of teaching week 6 (Semester 1); the second 500-word essay plan is due on Monday of teaching week 11 (Semester 1).

Summative assessments Parts A and B

Part A - 2,000-word essay (50%)

Part B - 2,000 word essay (50%)

Essays for Part A and Part B to be submitted within the same document.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : Summative Assessment - Parts A and B		 N/A 100

Module feedback

All feedback will be returned within University and Departmental guidelines.

Indicative reading

Texts can vary each year depending upon the research interests of the faculty member leading the module, but the text will always be a significant work that will benefit from close study. Indicative texts are:

Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Wittgenstein)

Intention (Anscombe)

Reasons and Persons (Parfit)

Naming and Necessity (Kripke)

On the Plurality of Worlds (Lewis)

Four-Dimensionalism (Sider)

Natural Goodness (Foot)


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.