2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PHIL5110M Ways of Doing Analytic Philosophy

30 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Daniel Elstein
Email: D.Y.Elstein@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Module replaces

PHIL5001M Analytic A

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

In taking this module, students will explore a variety of methodological approaches in analytic philosophy, and they will do this by examining key texts and arguments by eminent analytical philosophers. In this way, the module will serve as an introduction to analytic philosophy itself. What exactly analytic philosophy is, is itself a philosophical question, and by the module’s end students will have a good sense of the variety of approaches that fall under this name and how they are themselves philosophically motivated. Students will participate in a series of seminars, where they will engage with fascinating and challenging philosophical texts. These seminars, though facilitated by the module leader, will be ‘active’, discursive, and student-led, and will form the basis of further directed reading and discussion.

Objectives

The module aims to:

Introduce students to a broad range of methodologies used within analytic philosophy.

Enable students to examine and evaluate the philosophical bases of these methodologies.

In the context of doing 1 and 2, enable students to grapple with a variety of philosophical problems, questions, or issues presented via these methodologies.

By virtue of doing 1-3, introduce students, some of whom will have done little analytical philosophy before, to some key approaches and questions distinctive of analytic philosophy.

Provide students with the understanding and guidance to produce original philosophical work of their own on topics covered during the module.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will demonstrate:

An understanding of a variety of methodologies, and the philosophical issues they raise, within analytical philosophy.

An understanding of some of the key problems, questions, and issues raised in the course of implementing such methodologies.

Advanced philosophical skills in analysing major theories, arguments and standpoints produced using a variety of methodologies.

The ability to effectively deploy appropriate philosophical methodologies in producing philosophical written work of independence and originality.

Syllabus

This module introduces students to a broad range of the key methodological approaches used in contemporary analytic philosophy and, in so doing, serves as an introduction to analytic philosophy itself. It does this by discussing both the approaches taken, and the substantive philosophical positions adopted, by leading analytical philosophers. Topics that may be covered in the module include (but are not limited to):



The nature of conceptual analysis.

The nature of philosophical explanation.

The possibility of philosophical knowledge.

The relationship between philosophy and science.

The theoretical virtues.

The use of thought experiments in philosophy.

The possibility of ‘experimental philosophy’.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	1	1.00	1.00
Seminar	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			277.00
Total Contact hours			23.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Outside of formal meetings, students should expect to spend their time in private study as follows:

Weekly reading and preparation for seminars: 11 x 10 = 110 hours

Research and preparation for formative essay: 28 hours

Writing formative essay: 14 hours

Research and preparation for summative essay (in addition to formative work): 60 hours

Writing summative essay (include revisions and drafts): 65 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be given:

In weekly, 2- hour seminars, where the module leader will respond to student questions and support understanding based on the module content and readings.

In response to a 2000 word, formatively assessed essay, submitted in week 6.

In workshops in weeks 9-11, in which students will briefly present on the work they have done towards their assessed essay.

In one-to-one supervisions, in which students will receive feedback on an essay plan for their assessed essay.

Student progress will be monitored

In 1-4 above.

Through submission of a 4,000 word, summative essay submitted in Semester 1, Week 13, on which written feedback will be provided.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	4000 words	100.00
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 website

Last updated: 08/04/2024

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