Philosophy

Preparing for Learning in Higher Education

This module is designed to give you the best possible start to your university studies, making sure you have all the essential skills you need to succeed. Through lectures and workshops we will teach you how to write in an academic style, how to find quality sources, how to reference work, culminating in writing up a mini-research project.

Introduction to Study in the Humanities

This module equips you with a suite of analytical and theoretical tools to support you as you progress along your academic journey. You'll develop an interdisciplinary understanding of approaches to study in the humanities by working with a variety of resources, including novels, films and aspects of the visual arts.

Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

This module will equip you with the necessary skills to conduct and analyse research in a specific interest, supported by academics within your subject. You'll navigate through the research process, from identifying an area of interest to presenting their findings to your peers.

Group Challenge (Humanities)

Formulate and execute a group led enquiry into texts, cultural artifacts, film, music or dance. You'll explore their topics in groups at supervised workshops and develop questions on the cultural object relates to the living world of human experience, as well as developing your own methods to answer these questions.

Foundation in Data Analysis

Develop a strong foundation in data collection and analysis. This module will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative data and how to analyse it; the collection of primary and secondary data; the production of high quality graphics; and report writing.

Academic Writing Skills

Developing confidence in expression, oral as well as written, is a key feature of this module, which also aims to familiarise you with submission and assessment procedures in the context of Higher Education. This is a clear building block onto your degree programme and places you at a distinct advantage when you move into the following year.

Creation, Persistence and Destruction: Problems in Metaphysics

Metaphysical questions apply to everything you can think of: natural objects, living organisms, human beings, human artefacts, imaginary objects, abstract entities, timeless universals, and supernatural phenomena. You'll consider up-to-date versions of classical metaphysical problems by analysing interesting contemporary arguments and identifying a breadth of examples of that are relevant to the world around us. Sensitively exploring different perspectives and sharing ideas will help us notice how fundamental metaphysical perspectives are often the basis of deep disagreements in ethics, aesthetics, and religious belief, particularly when the metaphysics of the mind, body and self are in question.

Science and Social Values

Examine whether, and how, science is different from other modes of investigating and thinking about the world. You'll study relevant contemporary controversies (e.g. the relation between science and religion, and creationism, as well as other alternative world views), the exclusionary nature of many of its technological fruits, and the contingency of the Western model of science.

Ideas that Shaped the World (Philosophical Texts I)

Philosophical ideas are at the heart of everyday life, and often in surprising ways. Examine how philosophical theories, from ancient through medieval texts, and through the enlightenment to the current day, have not just shaped and influenced the world we live in. but radically challenged prevailing ways of thinking and the corresponding ways of life. 

Ways of Knowing

This module examines one of the central issues in philosophy – what it is to know something. We will distinguish knowledge from mere opinion and critically evaluate common views about where knowledge comes from, what it is based on and how it is justified. We will give particular focus to the ways in which knowledge, and claims to knowledge, are culturally shaped and informed, and so how traditions, perspectives and social structures influence our views about knowledge. 

Reason, Logic and Argument

In this module you will begin to formally develop a key set of philosophical skills – competence in logical reasoning and the ability to distinguish good from bad arguments. Week by week you'll work through case-studies, applying logical and argumentative theory and reasoning towards well-thought through responses and conclusions. 

Introduction to Philosophy

You'll explore traditional topics in philosophy through contemporary authors and everyday perspectives. For instance, you'll examine what constitutes ‘good’ and ‘bad’ sex and explore the nature and limitations of notions of consent; critique the Aristotelian concept of friendship in the era of vicarious, internet friendships and social media; and analyse Cartesian scepticism through the prism of ‘race’. 

Minds, Brains, and Machines

What is it to be minded? What is it to be a person? You'll consider the relation of the mind to the body, explore what being conscious or embodied means and examine the place of mindedness in a natural world apparently devoid of its attributes.

History of Political Thought

The history of political thought provides us with experiences of a wealth of perspectives on issues that still occupy central places in human life: the role of power in our collective relationships; the duties of the citizen and the obligations of the state; what it means to be free or equal or oppressed. This module explores some of the most influential and challenging positions from ancient Greek times to the late-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The module explores the feminist thinkers and others who were and are viewed as radicals, as well as more moderate figures, whose influences remain today.

Questioning Rights and Wrongs: Thinking About Ethics

Examine 21^st century ethics through a range of case studies from topical issues concerning race relations, gender inclusivity, the environment and animal rights, immigration and nationalism, postcolonial reparations, and disability issues. You'll become increasingly familiar and fluent with this wider range of philosophical insights and gain the skills to understand, articulate and promote dialogue between the often-competing views on the issues we encounter.

Philosophical Revolutionaries (Philosophical Texts II)

Building on the ‘Ideas that Shaped the World’ module from year one, you'll examine more demanding excerpts from four texts drawn from a wide range of philosophical traditions and cultures and with a particular focus on theories that revolutionised our way of life.

Theorising Gender

Examine theories of gender relations, looking at masculinity and femininity, the relationship of gender and sexuality and the intersections of gender with other social divisions. 

Environments and Philosophy

The key questions of environmental philosophy are questions about the future—of the world and the lives of the people of the future. You'll use your philosophical skills to examine environmental case studies and consider how the concepts, problems and ideas for ways of living, have a bearing on your plans for your own future as well as the world at large. You will be introduced to practical research skills, including learning how to prepare a research proposal, identify appropriate research resources, construct an annotated bibliography, and a research ethics approval form.

Philosophy Research Project

Work one-on-one with one of your lecturers, who will use their expertise in their field of philosophical research to guide you and mentor you in planning, researching and writing your own extended project or dissertation. This module allows you to focus in depth on, and to articulate the philosophical issues and questions that you find most exciting and engaging, and to demonstrate how you have developed as a philosopher.

Challenging Perspectives (Philosophical Texts III)

Explore advanced philosophical excerpts from three texts drawn from a wide range of philosophical traditions and cultures and with a particular focus on philosophers who are challenging dominant views. You'll engage in-depth with a key section of the advanced texts and critically examine their continuing impact and influence.

Our Digital Age: Philosophy and Technological Innovation

Examine what it is to be ‘human’ in an ever-more technological age. As humans we have traditionally distinguished ourselves from other animals while, at the same time, sharing much of our bodily circumstances and natural environment with them. In recent decades bodily, neurological and pharmaceutical enhancements, and in particular the increasingly virtual nature of our existence and interactions, have stretched our traditional concepts of ‘humanity’. You'll apply and develop your philosophical skills in critically examining the many challenges and opportunities that arise from these issues.

New Directions in Philosophy

Gender, Science and Knowledge

This is an overview of the ways of theorising the relationship between gender, science, and knowledge. It explores the concepts of objectivity, rationality and nature. 

State, Democracy and Globalization: Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy

Explore major issues in public policy and possible solutions informed by political and moral understanding. You'll examine topics such as the import of identity and diversity factors such as disability, education, ethnicity, race, age, gender expression and gender identity, language, religion, sexual orientation and socio-economic status on issues of public policy and philosophically assessing the contributions of those factors.

States of Violence: Power, Protest and Terror

Critically examine the relationships between violence, the modern state and its people. You will be introduced to theories of power and legitimacy and how these relate to protest, civil disobedience and terrorism.  Explore a range of issues, from the role of disobedient and violent actions against democratic states through to a critical review of state responses, including theories of radicalisation and de-radicalisation and the ethics of counterterrorism strategies.