Unit information: Knowledge and Reality in 2021/22

Unit name	Knowledge and Reality
Unit code	PHIL10034
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Assadian
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	N/A
Co-requisites	N/A
School/department	Department of Philosophy
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will introduce students to some of the central issues and arguments in contemporary metaphysics and epistemology and to some of the key tools used in contemporary analytic philosophy. Topics covered may include universals, causation, modality, the analysis of knowledge, contextualism, ontological commitment, vagueness, supervenience and reduction, and the analysis of definite descriptions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the key issues and arguments in contemporary metaphysics and epistemology,
2. Demonstrate an ability to engage critically with these issues and arguments,
3. Demonstrate familiarity with some key literature on these issues and arguments and to engage critically with this literature,
4. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the key tools used in contemporary analytic philosophy and be able to deploy these themselves,
5. Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others to analyse philosophical ideas and arguments, using the key tools of analytic philosophy, and to work together collaboratively as a group to produce a written report upon the relevant ideas and arguments.

Teaching Information

Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.

Assessment Information

Summative: take home open book exam - 100% [designed to test ILOs 1-4.] + Formative: collaborative digital report giving a clear and effective summary and explanation of issues and ideas covered in the unit. {Designed to test ILOs 1-5.]

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. PHIL10034).

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.