Module PHL3018 for 2018/9
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
PHL3018: Sex and Death: Introduction to the Philosophy of Biology
This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.
Module Aims
The philosophy of biology is one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of philosophy. It involves close analysis of numerous aspects of biology, both contemporary and historical, and examines conceptual and methodological innovation in a range of life sciences. Students successfully completing this module will have acquired a detailed knowledge of the central issues, problems, disputes and unresolved questions of the philosophy of biology
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. understand the conceptual issues raised by contemporary theories of evolution, heredity, development and ecology 2. acquire knowledge of important examples of conceptual change and theoretical conflict in biology; 3. appreciate the interaction between empirical data and conceptual frameworks in the development of several areas of the life sciences; |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. apply a reflective and sophisticated analytic understanding to complex issues and subject matter; 5. appreciate the role and importance of detailed empirical knowledge for philosophical understanding 6. analyse and communicate ideas in a clear, rational, and carefully considered way; 7. detect and diagnose fallacies, specious arguments, and errors in reasoning; |
| Personal and Key Skills | 8. demonstrate in assessed work and tutorial discussions: Precision of thought and expression (oral and written) in the analysis and formulation of complex and controversial problems; 9. think logically and analyse critically 10. think and work creatively, self-critically, and independently; 11. participate effectively in group discussion and argument. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
What is evolution?
Evolutionary explanations of human nature
Selfish genes
Altruism and group selection
Adaptation and function
Genes, genetics and molecular biology
Evolution and development
Ecology: biodiversity, niche construction, conservation
Species and the tree of life
Philosophy of biology in practice
Summarizing philosophy of biology; revision; essay and exam discussion.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 16.5 | 133.5 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 16.5 | The module will be taught and learned via weekly one-and-a-half-hour seminars, which will consist of a one-hour lecture followed by a half-hour tutorial. The tutorial will incorporate student presentations as well as further discussion of the lecture material |
| Guided Independent study | 133.5 | A variety of activities directed by module convener. |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
A WebCT site provides detailed module information, including online reading material.
Other Learning Resources
http://huss.exeter.ac.uk/sociology/philosophyofbiology/undergrad.php.
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
*Sterelny, K., and Griffiths, P. 1999. Sex and Death: An Introduction to Philosophy of Biology. University of Chicago Press. [*This is the core text for all lectures.]
Hull, D.L., and Ruse, M. (Eds.). 2007. The Cambridge Companion to the Philosophy of Biology. Cambridge University Press.
Hull, D.L., and Ruse, M. (Eds.). 1998. Philosophy of Biology. Oxford University Press.
Matthen, M., and Stephens, C. (Eds.). 2007. Philosophy of Biology. Elsevier.
Ruse, M. (Ed.). 2008. The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Biology. Oxford University Press.
Sarkar, S., and Plutynski, A. (Eds.). 2008. A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology. Blackwell.
Indicative web based resources e.g. Webct:
