BA Philosophy

Year 1

(Award available for year: Certificate of Higher Educ)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the year students should have provided evidence of being able to:

a) Recognise the formal structures underlying valid argumentation
b) Demonstrate an understanding of selected ideas of some major philosophers through the reading of primary texts
c) Demonstrate a basic knowledge of philosophy within some of the main areas of the discipline, including
epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and science
d) Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the nature of philosophical thought and methodology
e) Demonstrate a basic ability to express their own views, and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses as learners

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
> Qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment (communication both written and verbal, problem solving, ability to assess arguments, ability to construct and defend their own view, and use of IT);
> Skills necessary for the exercising of personal responsibility (learning to learn, self management, awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses).

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will typically include:

1. Demonstrating knowledge and application of standard philosophical concepts, theories and methodology (such as basic argument forms, and key theories in the main areas of the discipline);
2. Understanding of some of the main areas of the discipline (typically epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and science, and selected major philosophical thinkers);
3. Demonstrating emerging abilities, skills and competencies (to articulate and defend their own view, apply key tools of philosophical analysis, identify where skills/abilities require improvement).