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Unit information: Themes in Modern European Philosophy 1 in 2023/24

Unit name Themes in Modern European Philosophy 1
Unit code PHIL20051
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Seiriol Morgan
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

None

School/department Department of Philosophy
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

Students taking this unit study one or more central themes that emerge in the work of the philosophers of the post-Kantian period in European philosophy, through reading and discussing the work of particular philosophers writing in this period, and with these concerns in mind. The particular themes focused on may vary from year to year, but in each case will raise issues of enduring and general philosophical interest and importance.

The unit aims to give students a solid understanding of one or more central themes in the work of European philosophers of the C19 and C20, writing in the wake of Kant’s ‘Copernican revolution’ in Philosophy. The themes will be of enduring philosophical interest and significance. The positions and arguments advanced by particular philosophers in developing the theme(s) will be considered and assessed, and their continuing importance brought out.

Examples of possible themes and corresponding philosophers that might be studied:- Morality and Religion (Nietzsche and Kierkegaard), Human Freedom (Sartre, Kierkegaard), The Individual and Society (Hegel, Marx)

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of one or more central themes developed in modern European philosophy, together with their broader philosophical significance,

2. demonstrate the ability to critically engage with the positions and arguments of the philosophers developing these themes, and to offer their own assessment of those positions and arguments, to a standard appropriate for level I/5,

3. demonstrate skills in philosophical writing, of a standard appropriate to level I/5,

4. demonstrate independent research skills of a standard appropriate to level I/5.

How you will learn

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

How you will be assessed

Summative: 1 x open book take home exam

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 Presentation (0%, Required for credit) [ILOs 1-4]

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

Timed assessment (100%) [ILOs 1-4]

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 yea

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. PHIL20051).

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.

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