University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Restricted to students on Honours Philosophy programmes and Grad Dip Philosophy

Planned timetable: TBC

For most of its history, western analytic philosophy has privileged mind over body, prioritising our understanding of mind, soul, or consciousness while having little to say about the material aspect of our being. While cognitive science and philosophy of mind have begun to address the body as a source of cognition, philosophising the body as a social, political, and ethical entity has mostly been the domain of continental philosophy, feminist philosophy, applied ethics and aesthetics. This module will introduce students to some of the philosophical concerns raised by our being embodied, addressing questions about such matters as: the nature of embodiment; the significance of our bodies and their differences; bodily appearance, dress and adornment; bodily beauty, bodily performance, and body modification (among other topics). Some of the topics to be explored will address sensitive issues, so students should be prepared for this (appropriate content warnings will be given).

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 lecture (x 10 weeks), 1 x 1-hour seminar (x 10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 30

Guided independent study hours: 266

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework - 100%

As defined by QAA
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr L A Jones
Module teaching staff: Dr Lisa Jones, Dr Jade Fletcher
Module coordinator email lj14@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Understand and articulate some of the problems and theories in philosophical discussions of the body
• Engage critically with a range of philosophical literature addressing the body
• Analyse and critically evaluate arguments
• Discuss philosophical material in a group setting
• Form their own views on some of these debated topics, and defend their views in written and verbal formats