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Curricular information is subject to change
As a result of studying this course, you will learn to:
1. CRITICALLY REFLECT on classic and contemporary debates in epistemology (the philosophical study of knowledge).
2. IDENTIFY key concepts and theories in epistemology, and SHOW AWARENESS of potential problems that have led to the refinement of those concepts and theories in the course of the relevant debates.
3. INTERPRET and UNDERSTAND classic and contemporary texts in epistemology.
4. WRITE well-structured and well-argued philosophical essays that explain and critically assess the key concepts and theories introduced in the module.
5. RESPOND to essay feedback.
6. ARTICULATE your own responses to philosophical views; support them with reasons; and defend them in light of potential objections.
The module is divided into two parts. In Part I, we address questions concerning the nature and scope of knowledge. In particular, we will address questions such as:
1. What is the relationship between knowledge, truth, and belief?
2. Is it possible to provide a strict definition of what it is to *know* something?
3. Does knowledge require *certainty*?
4. Does the *justification of belief* depend solely on what goes on in our heads, or also on how we relate to the world around us?
5. How should we respond to those who argue that we have no real knowledge of anything outside our own private experiences and sensations?
For an introduction to some of the topics of Part I, see here (copy and paste this link into your browser):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Y3utIeTPg&t=123s
In Part II, we will address questions concerning the social and ethical dimensions of knowledge. In particular, we will address questions such as:
6. Can religious belief ever be rational?
7. Do ethical considerations favour a particular view of knowledge?
8. Are there *ethical* as well as rational standards of belief, i.e. can it be wrong to believe something even if it is perfectly rational to believe it?
9. How do we gain knowledge from others, and are there special forms of injustice connected with the transmission of knowledge?
For an introduction to some of the topics of Part II, see here (copy and paste this link into your browser):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4AybWp4O8Q
Student Effort Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lectures | 24 |
Tutorial | 7 |
Autonomous Student Learning | 94 |
Total | 125 |
Not applicable to this module.
Description | Timing | Component Scale | % of Final Grade | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Examination: A two-hour end of semester written exam. | 2 hour End of Trimester Exam | No | Graded | No | 50 |
Attendance: Participation in tutorials. | Throughout the Trimester | n/a | Pass/Fail Grade Scale | No | 20 |
Essay: A 2,000 word research essay on a topic introduced in the first part of the module. | Week 7 | n/a | Graded | No | 30 |
Resit In | Terminal Exam |
---|---|
Spring | No |
• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
1. The lecturer and tutor will provide feedback on draft essays prior to submission (as long as drafts are presented by an agreed date). 2. The first submitted essay will be returned with comments from the lecturer. 3. After the first essay has been submitted, there will be group/class feedback from the lecturer/tutor. 4. Students will have the opportunity to engage in self-assessment activities prior- and post-submission in tutorials.
Name | Role |
---|---|
Mr Conall Clarke | Tutor |
Antonio Pio De Mattia | Tutor |
Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Mon 11:00 - 11:50 |
Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Wed 12:00 - 12:50 |
Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 2 | Wed 12:00 - 12:50 |
Tutorial | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Tues 16:00 - 16:50 |
Tutorial | Offering 2 | Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Wed 15:00 - 15:50 |
Tutorial | Offering 3 | Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Mon 13:00 - 13:50 |
Tutorial | Offering 4 | Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Tues 12:00 - 12:50 |
Tutorial | Offering 5 | Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Mon 16:00 - 16:50 |
Tutorial | Offering 6 | Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Wed 14:00 - 14:50 |