Mind, Knowledge and Reality

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• identifying the central themes and problems in a philosophical text
• critically assess complex philosophical texts. This involves: - identifying and explaining solutions to the philosophical questions and problems proposed in the central texts - assessing the cogency and success of the above - identifying and explaining other possible solutions and assessing their relative merits
• articulate, present and debate philosophical ideas, both orally and in writing, in an open-minded but rigorous way
• identifying main views and solutions offered by the authors
• identifying authors’ arguments in support of the above

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• research a complex topic independently
• critically assess the cogency and success of proposed solutions
• present the outcome of your research orally in a seminar context
• write a clear and well-structured overview of the main issues, possible problems and solutions relevant to topic being examined
• manage the time and resources available to you in order to achieve success in the above tasks
• summarise the central themes, questions, problems and solutions related to that topic
• engage in group discussion, making and taking constructive criticism

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the central themes, problems and arguments in the texts studied.
• how to undertake independent research appropriate to the production of an assessed essay
• the relationship between the different works studied, where appropriate.

The syllabus will vary from year to year, depending on the research interests of the module coordinator. Some recent topics include:

• McDowell's Mind and World
• Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations
• Perceptual Knowledge
• Strawson's Individuals

Teaching activities include

• Seminars

Learning activities include

• Reading assigned material
• Attending seminars and contributing to discussion
• Preparing and giving presentations
• Doing research for and writing assessed essays

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.