Module PHL3096 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
PHL3096: Cyborg Studies
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The social sciences have traditionally been 'humanist' disciplines, in as much as their empirical and theoretical focus is on human individuals, their interactions with one another, social groups and social structure. This module aims to develop a less anthropocentric or 'posthumanist' sensibility. With the figure of the cyborg, the cybernetic organism, a hybrid of human, animal and machine, as its icon, it explores the co-evolution of humans, machines, sciences and natures. It couples a discussion of posthumanist theory and its moral and political implications with a wide range of empirical studies.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. analyse critically relations between people (individuals and social groups), animals and machines 2. demonstrate a clear understanding of theoretical perspectives appropriate to the analysis of these relations and exemplify with a range of contemporary and historical examples |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. demonstrate in-depth awareness and understanding of a range of social scientific, historical, and philosophical perspectives 4. critically understand the core theoretical assumptions and premises of these disciplines 5. apply a range of theoretical and interpretive perspectives to the task of sociological analysis 6. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of different and competing social scientific, historical, and philosophical perspectives |
Personal and Key Skills | 7. reflect on, and examine critically, taken-for-granted social, cultural and ethical assumptions, beliefs and values 8. analyse, evaluate, and communicate, clearly and directly, a wide range of explanatory and interpretive theoretical perspectives; assess evidence, marshal facts and construct arguments |
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:
Introduction; history of cybernetics; industry, warfare and modernity; human-machine interfaces and interactions; agency; subjectivity and desire; animals and the environment; cyborg politics; cyborg aesthetics
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 | 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 | 22 | The module will be taught as a series of seminars, meeting for two hours each week, organised around discussions of pre-assigned readings |
Guided independent study | 66 | Weekly reading and working through assigned articles and book chapters |
Guided independent study | 62 | Essay writing |
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Participation in seminar discussions | Weekly | 1-8 | Verbal feedback |
4 x Reading responses | 200 words each | 1-8 | Verbal and written peer feedback |
4 x Feedback to responses | 200 words each | 1-8 | Verbal feedback |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 70 | 3,000 words | 1-8 | Written feedback |
4 x Reading responses (200 words each) | 30 | 800 words | 1-8 | Verbal and peer feedback |
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 (3000 words) | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
4 x Reading responses (200 words each) | Reading responses (800 words) | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |