Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL2111: The Deep Past, History and Humanity

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Overview

NQF Level 5
Credits 15 ECTS Value 7.5
Term(s) and duration

This module ran during term 1 (11 weeks)

Academic staff

Dr Adrian Currie (Convenor)

Pre-requisites

none

Co-requisites

none

Available via distance learning

No

What we can know about the past of our species, and what can this tell us about the natures of humanity and history? To answer such questions, we’ll draw on philosophical accounts of both historical science and human history, as well as anthropological, archaeological and biological perspectives. We’ll consider whether practises like archaeology are scientific, whether historical events are discovered or created and question whether we can ever truly know past cultures. This together will help us ask what understanding humanity’s history is for. Although the module takes a philosophical approach, it will be interdisciplinary, and of particular interest to students of a historical or anthropological bent.

Module created

13/03/2018

Last revised

16/03/2018