| Unit name | Space, Time and Matter |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL20053 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Tho |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
n/a |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
What is space? What is time? What is matter? The aim of this unit is to examine the different answers that have been put forward to these fundamental metaphysical questions within natural philosophy. Particular focus will be placed upon ancient philosophy (Presocratics, Plato, Aristotle), early modern natural philosophy (Descartes, Newton, Leibniz) and 18th/19th century physical theory (Boscovich, Maxwell, Mach). Students will be provided with a self-contained introduction to relevant areas of physics, with the key mathematical and physical ideas discussed in parallel to the philosophical debates.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. demonstrate detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of the key debates within the philosophy of space, time and matter,
2. demonstrate detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of the key historical and contemporary literature concerning these debates and positions,
3. demonstrate the ability to critically engage with and philosophically analyse those key debates, and the key historical and contemporary literature concerning them, with a sophistication appropriate to level I/5.
4. Demonstrate skills in the written presentation of complex material in a standard appropriate to level I/5.
5. demonstrate independent research skills of a standard appropriate to level I/5.
Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
None
Tasks which do not count towards your unit mark but are required for credit (zero-weighted):
Digital Collaborative Presentation (0%, Required for Credit) [ILOs 1-5]
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Timed assessment (100%) [ILOs 1-3, 5]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
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. PHIL20053).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
