This module is not currently running 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.
2010/11 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
HPSC3320 Philosophy of Biology
20 creditsClass Size: 40
Module manager: Dr Gregory Radick
Email: g.m.radick@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2010/11
Pre-requisite qualifications
A Level Biology or equivalent.This module is mutually exclusive with
| HPSC3311 | Introduction to Philosophy of Biology |
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
The scientific study of life, and evolutionary biology especially, raises a number of perplexing questions for philosophers. - Are there laws of evolution; and if not, is evolutionary biology a science? - What, if anything, is a 'species'? - Can Darwinism explain anything interesting about human mental and social life?- Or must all such explanations somehow fall short? - What light if any does Darwinism shine on our capacities for telling right from wrong, or for competing and/or cooperating?Anyone interested in what biology claims to teach us about ourselves and our fellow creatures will enjoy this module. If you have already studied philosophy, the module will introduce you to a remarkable and vital set of questions in need of attention. If philosophy is new to you, the module will give you the skills of critical thinking and clear expression which philosophers specialize in, and which will serve you well for the rest of your life.Objectives
On completion of this module students should be able to analyse and critically assess a variety of key concepts and explanations in modern biology and biomedicine.Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module a student will have knowledge of range of philosophical issues regarding evolutionary biology and its repercussions.
Syllabus
The aim of this module is to examine key concepts and explanations in modern biology and biomedicine.
Topics include:
i) the gene, and the question of whether Mendelian genes indeed reduce to strings of DNA nucleotides;
ii) the organism, and the question of whether concepts of 'health' and 'disease' pick out natural classes of conditions;
iii) the evolving population, and the question of what, precisely, natural selection selects.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Seminar | 11 | 2.00 | 22.00 |
| Private study hours | 178.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Through seminar discussions and essay plans.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | Essay 1 | 50.00 |
| Essay | Essay 2 | 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: 03/05/2011
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