This module is discontinued in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.
2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PHIL1140 I Think Therefore I Am: The Philosophy of Descartes - Discovery Themes
10 creditsClass Size: 200
Module manager: Dr. Nick Jones
Email: n.o.jones@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2015/16
This module is mutually exclusive with
PHIL1040 | I Think Therefore I Am |
This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module provides students with an introduction to some important philosophical questions considered by one of the most influential figures in the history of Philosophy - René Descartes.- Can we know anything for certain, and if so, how can we know it?- What is the external world like in and of itself, and how closely does it resemble the world-as-we-experience it?- Might it just be 'all a dream'?- Is it possible to prove the existence of God by rational argument?- What is the essence of the self, and how do 'I' relate to my body?These are all important issues in Theoretical Philosophy.Most people never think about Theoretical Philosophy - about such things as Ontology (questions about existence) and Epistemology (questions about what and how we can know). But that doesn't stop them from having beliefs about it. We all have attitudes and beliefs about these kinds of issues. And those attitudes and beliefs structure our lives, and define the people we are, and the possibilities we consider for our lives.This module provides an introduction to university-level philosophical thinking about issues in Theoretical Philosophy via a study of Descartes, and gives you a chance to decide which of your present philosophical attitudes you think you can defend, and which you will have to reconsider.Previous experience of Philosophy may be an advantage, but the module is designed for people who have never studied it before.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should have a basic ability to:- discuss philosophical issues with others of opposing views;
- construct an argument for a point of view, and express it in clear, concise prose;
- read philosophical texts critically and with attention to detail;
- explain and respond to central ideas in Descartes' work
Learning outcomes
Students should know the content of Descartes’ meditations and its central arguments.
Skills outcomes
On completion of this module, students should have a basic ability to:
- discuss philosophical issues with others of opposing views;
- construct an argument for a point of view, and express it in clear, concise prose;
- read philosophical texts critically and with attention to detail;
- explain and respond to central ideas in Descartes' work.
Syllabus
The module presents an introduction to some central issues in metaphysics and epistemology through a study of Descartes' Meditations.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Proctorial | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
Lectures | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
Tutorial | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
Private study hours | 79.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 21.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 |
Private study
Proctorial and Tutorial Preparation: 20 hours- Essay Preparation: 40 hours (2 x 20 hours)
- Associated Reading: 19 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Tutorial performance, proctorial performance, first assessmentMethods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Essay | 1 x 1000 words max | 50.00 |
Essay | 1 x 1000 words max | 50.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 11/09/2014
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD