2011/12 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHIL1040 I Think Therefore I Am: The Philosophy of Descartes

10 creditsClass Size: 500

Module manager: Dr Nick Jones
Email: N.O.Jones@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2011/12

This module is mutually exclusive with

PHIL1004

Introduction to the History of Philosophy

Module replaces

PHIL1004

This module is approved as an Elective

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.

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
Lecture	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
- Associated Reading: 19 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Tutorial performance, First assessment

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2 x 1,000 word essays, one in the middle and one at the end of the module	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: 12/04/2013

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