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Curricular information is subject to change
As a result of studying this course, students will learn to:
1. REFLECT critically 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. ARTICULATE their own responses to philosophical views, support them with reasons, and defend them in light of criticism
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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Y3utIeTPg&t=123s (copy and paste this link into your browser)
In Part II, we will address questions concerning the social and ethical dimensions of knowledge. In particular, we will address questions such as:
6. How do we gain knowledge from other people?
7. What is the rational response to disagreement?
8. Is it ever right to base our ethical beliefs simply on what other people tell us (even if they are reliable)?
9. What is the nature of *epistemic injustice*, that is, the unfairness that results from someone's knowledge being disregarded due to their membership of a certain group?
For an introduction to some of the topics of Part II, see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4AybWp4O8Q (copy and paste this link into your browser)
Student Effort Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lectures | 20 |
Tutorial | 7 |
Autonomous Student Learning | 98 |
Total | 125 |
Not applicable to this module.
Description | Timing | Component Scale | % of Final Grade | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Essay: A 1,500 word research essay on a topic introduced in the first part of the module. | Week 7 | n/a | Graded | Yes | 50 |
Essay: A 1,500 word research essay on a topic introduced in the second part of the module. | Week 12 | n/a | Graded | No | 50 |
Resit In | Terminal Exam |
---|---|
Summer | 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 extensive 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.