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Unit information: Texts in Modern European Philosophy 2 in 2021/22

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Texts in Modern European Philosophy 2
Unit code PHIL30116
Credit points 20
Level of study H/6
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Seiriol Morgan
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department Department of Philosophy
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit gives students the opportunity to study in depth one or more of the key landmark texts in the development of modern European philosophy, which made a major contribution to the development of philosophy during that period. The text may be a single key text, or where appropriate more than one text by the same philosopher or more than one text by different philosophers, when a clear and philosophically important relationship between them can be demonstrated. Study is by close reading of an engagement with the text itself, and also via a close introduction to key interpretative issues arising in the contemporary secondary literature associated with it. The particular text or texts focused on may vary from year to year, but in each case will raise issues of enduring and general philosophical interest and importance.

The unit aims to give students a deep understanding of one or more of the key landmark texts published by European philosophers of the C19 and C20, writing in the wake of Kant’s ‘Copernican revolution’ in Philosophy. The texts and the issues that they raise will be of enduring philosophical interest and significance. The positions and arguments advanced within the text or texts will be considered and assessed, and their continuing importance brought out.

Examples of possible texts that might be studied:- Heidegger’s Being and Time, Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, Gadamer’s Truth and Method

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate sophisticated knowledge and understanding of one or more central texts in the development of modern European philosophy, and why the issues and ideas developed in the text or texts are philosophically important,
  2. demonstrate sophisticated knowledge and understanding of the key themes and disputes in the key secondary literature relating to the relevant text or texts,
  3. demonstrate the ability to engage critically with, analyse, and assess, the positions and arguments of the relevant text or texts, together with the

key secondary literature, in a manner appropriate to level H/6,

  1. demonstrate skills in philosophical writing and argument appropriate to level H/6,
  2. work together collaboratively as a group to orally present complex philosophical issues and ideas clearly to an audience.

Teaching Information

Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment. The unit tutors will use regular journal entries as a chance to give feedback on progress.

Assessment Information

Formative: digital collaborative presentation (ILOs 1-5) + Summative: one take home open book exam - 100% (ILOs 1-4)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHIL30116).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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