University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: To be confirmed.

This module is designed to develop the philosophical skills students have acquired over their sub-Honours years, and acquaint them with key works in core areas of philosophy. The module involves close study of philosophical texts - historical and contemporary - that address a variety of topics within metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophies of logic and language, mind and science. Students will be required to carry out close study and discussion of these texts in staff-led weekly workshops, thereby furthering their skills of critical evaluation and analysis. Students will also take turns in presenting papers to the workshop, in pair-groups, which will help them to develop important communication skills and provide an opportunity for teamwork.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PY1012

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour seminar, and 1 hour autonomous (student-run) learning group.

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 280

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr P M Greenough
Module teaching staff: Team taught
Module coordinator email pmg2@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Draw on familiarity with a range of important philosophical writings
• Draw on an their improved understanding of how philosophy, as an academic discipline, is practised, and how it progresses
• Deploy enhanced presentation skills
• Deploy enhanced critical and argumentation skills
• Deploy enhanced transferable skills such as those utilised in teamwork
• Think independently and develop novel critiques of central texts in the field