Module PHL2052 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
PHL2052: Epistemology
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The module will familiarise you with core concepts in contemporary epistemology, and provide you with an understanding of central theories concerning the nature of knowledge; justification; and epistemic value. Upon completion of the module, you will also have acquired knowledge of the ways in which epistemological concerns relate to and inform wider issues in the discipline of philosophy, such as topics in metaphysics and the philosophy of science.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. Understand and explain the philosophical challenges raised by sceptical arguments; 2. Demonstrate an acquisition of knowledge of different theoretical approaches to the nature of knowledge; 3. Articulate standard arguments for and against different theories of knowledge; 4. Identify some of the ways in which epistemological problems are connected to issues in other philosophical domains, including metaphysics and the philosophy of science. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 5. Analyze in a critical way different philosophical texts; 6. Present and discuss, orally and in writing, key philosophical concepts and arguments; |
Personal and Key Skills | 7. Illustrate and explain philosophical ideas in writing and orally; 8. Analyze complex ideas and concepts and reflect upon them critically; 9. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task. |
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 topics:
Cartesian scepticism; foundationalism and coherentism; epistemic virtues and epistemic value; social epistemology; a posteriori and a priori knowledge; disagreement.
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 |
---|---|---|
22 | 128 |
...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 | 22 | 11 x 2hs weekly seminars |
Guided Independent study | 45 | Weekly assigned readings |
Guided Independent Study | 10 | Preparation for class discussion |
Guided Independent Study | 23 | Preparation for essay |
Guided Independent Study | 50 | Preparation for final examination |
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Detailed Essay Plan | 600 words | 1-8 | Verbal & 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 |
---|---|---|
50 | 50 | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 50 | 1500 | 1-8 | written |
Exam | 50 | 1.5 hours | 1-9 | 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 |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | Essay (1500 words) | 1-8 | August\September reassessment period |
Exam | Examination (1.5 hours) | 1-9 | August\September reassessment period |
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.
Basic texts:
Pritchard, D. What is this thing called knowledge? Routledge, 2006.
Descartes, R. Meditations on first philosophy. Cambridge University Press, 1996/1647
Greco, J. ‘Virtues and vices of virtue epistemology’, Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 23:413-432, 1993
Sosa, E. ‘The raft and the pyramid: coherence versus foundations in the theory of knowledge’, Midwest Studies in Philosophy, 5(1):3-16, 1980