Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL1002B: Knowledge and Reality 2

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce you to core topics in western philosophy. The course will revolve around a number of questions: What is the mind? What is the self? Does God exist? Why is there evil? Are we free? What should we do? How should we live? In considering these questions, you will become acquainted with some of the main historical movements in western philosophy, as well as with basic concepts and theories in core areas of philosophy such as epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and moral philosophy.

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. Become familiar with the major movements in the history of philosophy and a familiarity with the basic concepts and theories in the areas of epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and moral philosophy.
Discipline-Specific Skills2. Analyze arguments, criticize texts, and write well-argued essays, and question received ideas.
Personal and Key Skills3. Construct and evaluate ideas, to formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction, to assess and criticize the views of others.

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
Seminar presentationOne 5 minute report on some aspect of the topic under discussion1,2,3Oral

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
50500

...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
Essay501,500 words1,2,3Written
Examination 501 hour 30 minutes1,2,3Written

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
EssayEssay (1,500 words)1,2,3August/September reassessment period
Examination Examination (1 hour 30 minutes)1,2,3August/September reassessment period

Re-assessment notes

The re-assessed essay will count for 50% of the final mark, and the exam for 50%.