Postgraduate Module Descriptor


PHLM008: Mind, Body and World

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

You will learn about different views of the relationship between mind, body, and world, and become familiar with a variety of arguments defending different accounts of this relationship. You will discuss primarily philosophical works, but also read sociological and anthropological accounts relevant to understanding the relation between mind, body, and world. You will have the opportunity to engage with very recent research on this topic, including your lecturers’ own current research.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. systematically illustrate several different views of the relation between mind and world;
2. analyze and evaluate these views in a rigorous, informed, and critical way;
3. develop your own perspective and arguments about the relation between mind and world, in a rigorous way;
4. evaluate the role of sociological and anthropological accounts for the philosophical debate;
5. formulate original questions that emerge when one considers how the mind relates to the world.
Discipline-Specific Skills6. systematically illustrate a variety of philosophical positions on a specific topic;
7. critically and rigorously evaluate, orally and in writing, several philosophical positions;
8. appreciate the challenges of providing a philosophical analysis of a variety of issues, as well as the uncertainty and limits of knowledge
9. understand a variety of philosophical positions in relation to their social and scientific context.
Personal and Key Skills10. engage in complex arguments verbally and in small groups;
11. critically engage with and report accurately on existing written material;
12. present complex ideas to peers in a clear way and so as to generate discussion;
13. respond to peers’ questions in a clear and respectful way.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

- Internalism: the mind in the head

- The 4E approach to cognition: cognition as embodied, embedded, enactive, and extended

- The affective dimension of the mind

- Embodiment, experience and incorporation

- Group cognition and group emotions

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
22278

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity2211 x 2-hour seminars (mixture of student presentations, discussion, and lecturer’s explanations)
Guided Independent Study10Time preparing for the short formative essay
Guided Independent Study68Time for doing the weekly readings
Guided Independent Study40Time for preparing the lecture-style presentation
Guided Independent Study70Time for preparing the first summative essay
Guided Independent Study90Time for preparing the second summative essay

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).