PHIL20710 Body, Mind, World

Academic Year 2023/2024

In this module we explore the interrelation between mind and body through a series of reflections on social and epistemological issues. We examine these issues in terms of the way they affect human action and shape our bodily habits, lived experience, and social identity.

Many people think of the mind being in the body like a driver in a vehicle. But it is more accurate to speak of embodied minds – our mental states are also embodied ones. In this respect, the body is not understood as an object or a machine; instead, in this module, we examine the experience of living as an embodied person in the world, including how embodied experience and knowledge is shaped by social norms. This approach helps us to better understand our relationships with other people and with the world, particularly the ways in which certain environments, contexts and social relations might create or inhibit possibilities about what we can do on the basis of what we can know, and what we can know on the basis of what we can do.

We approach the body and mind, and their relationship with others and the world, through the philosophical approach called phenomenology, as well as ideas drawn from social philosophy. We consider a range of issues such as gender, race, disability, and sexuality, for example. We also address the roles played by social structures, constructions of personhood and sub-personhood, markers of credibility, normalcy and abnormality. The module will be of interest to those in philosophy, humanities, and social sciences, but also across multiple disciplines. The module draws on critical phenomenological approaches and is a good companion course to PHIL20500 Phenomenology and Existentialism.

If you are taking this module as an elective - you may be interested in pursuing a Structured Elective programme in Philosophy (this will entail taking two more Philosophy electives). Your University Transcript will show that you have a Structured Elective in Existential Philosophy & Critical Theory, as appropriate. For further details: See: https://www.ucd.ie/students/electives/structuredelectives.html

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Understand the relation between body and mind using a philosophical approach; (2) Be able to apply this method to critically analyse a range of different areas of human experience in relation to embodied knowledge and action; (3) understanding the impact of considering embodied aspects of social identity such as gender, race, disability and sexuality; (3) Be able to critically examine social constructions of normalcy and normalization (4) Appreciate the manner in which the mind is not only embodied but also fundamentally related to others and the world; (5) Be able to read and comprehend philosophical approaches to a range of terms in relation to body and mind.


Indicative Module Content:

In this module we explore the interrelation between mind and body through a series of reflections on social and epistemological issues. We examine these issues in terms of the way they affect human action and shape our bodily habits, lived experience, and social identity. This approach helps us to better understand the ways in which certain environments, contexts and social relations might create or inhibit possibilities about what we can do on the basis of what we can know, and what we can know on the basis of what we can do.

We consider a range of issues such as gender, race, disability, and sexuality, as well as the role played by social attitudes toward constructions of normalcy and abnormality, for example. The module will be of interest to those in philosophy, humanities, and social sciences, but also across multiple disciplines.

There are three components of assessment to this module: (1) An assignment due in week six; (2) tutorial participation; (3) a final assignment due at the end the semester. Further and final information will be provided in lectures.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

7
Autonomous Student Learning

98
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, tutorials, independent learning, feedback on assignments.


 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is recommended that students doing this module should have already done 3 stage 1 modules. You are advised to consult the module co-ordinator in advance of choosing this module if you have not done philosophy before.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Assignment on topics studied in the second half of the module. Week 12 n/a Graded Yes

50
Continuous Assessment: Tutorial participation and attendance Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Assignment: Assignment on topics studied in the first 6 weeks of the module. Week 6 n/a Graded Yes

40

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given to individual students post-assessment.

Name Role
Ms Kelly Agra Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Jonathan Mitchell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Denise Kelly Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 13:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn