Postgraduate Module Descriptor


PHLM008: Mind, Body and World

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 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.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Short essay500 words1-12Written

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
80020

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Individual lecture-style presentation in front of class2020 + 10 minutes Q&A session1-13Verbal
Essay 1301800 words1-12Written
Essay 2503300 words1-12Written

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Individual lecture-style presentation in front of class20 + 10 minutes Q&A session with lecturer (viva-voce, face-to-face or virtually)1-13August/September re-assessment period
Essay 1 Essay (1800 words)1-12August/September re-assessment period
Essay 2Essay (3300 words)1-12August/September re-assessment period