| Unit name | Classical Chinese Philosophy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL20061 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Tho |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
The unit aims to will provide students with an introduction to one of the richest and most important philosophical traditions. As such it will enrich their knowledge and understanding of philosophy and promote their ability to engage in philosophical thought. It will also broaden and deepen student exposure to historically important philosophical traditions outside of the cannons of western philosophy.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The unit introduces a level I/5 version of a unit (PHIL30128) which already exists at level H/6. When it runs this unit will be offered as optional on all programs. As such it will allow us to broaden the range of options and topics we offer at level I/5, in particular those outside the traditional western philosophical cannon.
An overview of content
This unit is designed to introduce level I/5 students to Classical Chinese philosophy in the age of the “Hundred Schools of Thought” (诸子百家) that flourished from the 6th to the 3rd century BCE. Against the caricature of “timeless wisdom” usually attributed to so-called “Eastern thought”, the unit will introduce this period of Chinese philosophy as having developed as systematic, pragmatic, and theoretical responses to concrete intellectual, social and political problems in a particular historical period. The unit will present material both historically and thematically. Among the schools, we shall examine the four main ones (Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, Mohism) by examination and contextualizing their central texts.
We will examine four crucial questions for these thinkers:
The course is a survey and aims to immerse students in the intellectual world of the “Hundred Schools” that served as an important paradigm of Chinese intellectual development until the current day.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
what you know, how you think and what you can do.
The unit will allow students to be introduced to the mutually incompatible claims among the schools and master the basic aims, motivations and context of Classical Chinese intellectual culture and its stakes.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit students will be able to:
1. Outline key schools of thought in classical Chinese philosophy and explain their role in the intellectual roots of Chinese society
2. Construct philosophical arguments with a sophistication appropriate to level I/5.
3. Interpret historical philosophical texts with a sophistication appropriate to level I/5, including the use of contextual and comparative methodologies.
The lectures will introduce key content and model philosophical skills including outlining positions and explaining their importance, critically evaluating debates, and constructing persuasive philosophical arguments.
The seminars give students a chance to learn by articulating philosophical ideas and engaging in interactive learning with fellow students.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Regular in-class and seminar discussions
In-class group presentation (0%, Required for Credit) [ILOs 1-3]
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Timed Assessment (100%) [ILOs 1-3].
When summative 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.
Timed Assessment (100%) [ILOs 1-3].
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. PHIL20061).
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.
