Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL2011A: The Philosophy of Nature 1

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

1. Introduction: The Meaning of Nature
2. Philosophy of Nature: A Historical Overview
3. Matter and Form
4. Causation and Agency
5. Mechanicism and Organicism
6. The Economy of Nature
7. Essence and Specificity
8. Chance and Necessity
9. Time and History
10. Substance and Process
11. Synoptic Summary

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
21.5128.50

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 16.5Weekly 1.5 hour lectures. The lectures will outline the philosophy of nature of a particular period or philosopher. Lecture notes and reading lists will be available through ELE for revision
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 5Fortnightly 1 hour seminars will involve reading of primary sources and discussion of prepared questions.
Guided independent study28.5Preparation for essay, library, research etc.
Guided independent study100Private study: Reading books and articles, and taking notes from them, as specified in reading lists for each seminar. Guidance on this will be provided through ELE and in the seminars.

Online Resources

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

Lecture notes and reading lists are made available through ELE.