Module PHL3111 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
PHL3111: The Deep Past, History and Humanity
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
This module will cover five overlapping debates concerning the natures of history, historical knowledge and humanity. The aim is to introduce you to philosophical, archaeological and historiographical considerations of epistemology and method with the skills required to critically engage and reflect upon those considerations. In addition to theoretical knowledge and skills, you will also learn how to incorporate case studies into critical analysis. Some of the lectures will include input from practicing archaeologists, and there will likely be a field trip to tour a museum or a dig.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate deep understanding of contemporary debates about historical science and historical knowledge. 2. Critically engage with a case study from humanitys deep past and how it relates to contemporary philosophical disputes. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Demonstrate a thorough capacity to analyse and critique arguments and positions. 4. Synthesize theoretical and empirical information in illuminating ways. |
Personal and Key Skills | 5. Critically integrate different disciplinary approaches. 6. Demonstrate clear, concise and effective writing and analysis. 7. Conduct independent research which engages with complex ideas. |
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:
1. Are the historical sciences sciences?
2. To what extent can we gain knowledge of human culture from material remains?
3. What is the nature of events in human history?
4. Can biological and cultural perspectives on human nature be integrated?
5. What is history for?
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 |
---|---|---|
21.5 | 128.5 | 0 |
...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 Activities | 16.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures. Lectures cover more ground than is possible in tutorials, and are designed to establish a context in which to think about the themes and texts discussed in tutorials. |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 5 | 5 x 1 Hour Fortnightly tutorials. A specific reading is assigned, and you are provided with a list of questions to be discussed. |
Guided Independent Study | 45 | Preparation for lectures and tutorial participation |
Guided Independent Study | 83.5 | Preparation for lectures and tutorial participation including reading and planning. Independent research for assignments. |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
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 assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Tutorial Participation | Fortnightly | 1-7 | Oral |
Essay plan | 1 Page Essay plan | 1-7 | Written |
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.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mini-Essay 1 | 25 | 1000 words | 1-7 | Written |
Mini-Essay 2 | 25 | 1000 words | 1-7 | Written |
Essay | 50 | 2000 words | 1-7 | Written |
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 assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Mini-Essay 1 | Mini-Essay (1000 words) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
Mini-Essay 2 | Mini-Essay (1000 words) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
Essay | Essay (2000 words) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |