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2010/11 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHIL2421 Introduction to Epistemology

20 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Dr Heather Logue
Email: h.a.logue@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2010/11

Pre-requisite qualifications

40 credits at level 1

Module replaces

PHIL2620 Introduction to Epistemology

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

How do you know what time it is? In fact, do you know what time it is? Are you sure? Isn't it possible that you could be deceived? If it's possible that you're being deceived then can you really say that you know? Even if you don't know what time it is, do you have good reason for for believing what you believe? This module will cover a range of issues concerning human knowledge and associated epistemological concepts such as having a good reason for belief ("justificiation").This module is taught through lectures and tutorials throughout semester 1.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. describe and critically assess philosophical claims about the nature of knowledge, justification, and associated epistemic concepts;
2. describe and critically assess various arguments for and against these philosophical claims.

Syllabus

Topics covered may include the following:

1. The case for skepticism, the thesis that we typically know nothing or next to nothing;
2. The analysis of knowledge, or whether there are informative necessary and sufficient conditions for someone's knowing that something is the case;
3. The nature of justificiation: under what conditions do we have the right to be sure about our beliefs? Is this justification"internal" to us, so that we can spot it from the "inside"? In order to be justified in a belief, does that belief have to be based on another belief we're justified in believing?
4. The sources of knowledge and justification: are we justified in believing things on the basis of testimony? On the basis of our memory? On the basis of our senses? On the basis of inductive reasoning? And if so, why?
5. Other related issues concerning knowledge and justification.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	1.00	1.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Tutorial	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			179.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Lecture preparation: 79 hours;
Tutorial preparation: 50 hours;
Exam preparation: 50 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The students are given a mid-semester class test.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Mid-semester class test	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		25.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	3 hr 00 mins	75.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		75.00

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: 06/05/2011

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