PY430-5-AU-CO:
Topics in Analytic Philosophy
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Inactive
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
07 March 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
"Analytic Philosophy" is a (sometimes controversial) term that is commonly used to describe the dominant philosophical tradition in the English-speaking world for much of the 20th century. This module shall introduce students to some of the classic texts from this tradition and explore the philosophical techniques, arguments, and positions that were developed within it.
The specific focus of the module will vary year-on-year; examples include topics from analytic philosophy of mind and metaphysics (the mind-body problem; personal identity; consciousness and "qualia"…), and topics from analytic philosophy of language (what is meaning? How do names and descriptions refer to objects? Does context make a difference to the meaning of what we say, and does what we say shape the context in return?...)
The aims of the module are:
1. to develop a familiarity with some of the major figures and themes of analytic philosophy;
2. to undertake a close assessment of selected classics from the analytic tradition;
3. to gain a precise understanding of at least one major theme or problem in analytic philosophy of mind or in analytic metaphysics;
4. to gain familiarity with some of the characteristic techniques of the analytic tradition, including (for example) conceptual and linguistic analysis, ordinary language philosophy, the use of thought experiments;
5. to develop the ability to critically analyse writings in the analytic tradition, and to produce argumentatively precise and robust critical analysis.
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
1. identify major problems, themes and positions developed within the analytic tradition;
2. provide critical reconstructions of arguments and disputes associated with the analytic tradition;
3. write essays which provide both synopsis and critical assessment of positions and arguments from the analytic tradition;
4. explain select central concepts in analytic philosophy of mind and metaphysics;
5 follow and analyse the characteristically dense form of argumentation used in analytic philosophical writings;
6. construct clear argumentative essays analysing arguments and positions in the assigned readings.
Erasmus/IP students must have already taken an introductory module in Philosophy at their home institution.
Please note that this module will require a high level of commitment from the students enrolled. This will include keeping up with the pace of weekly readings, as assessed by an in-class test.
1 x 2-hour lecture and 1 x 1-hour seminar each week.
The two-hour weekly lectures will typically be interactive: you are expected to have read the key text(s) for each week in advance, and to be active during class.
In addition, you will be expected to prepare for an extended class discussion of the week's topic and readings during a one-hour seminar session each week.
It is expected that you will read the essential texts at the pace of the lectures and as part of your weekly preparation work for the seminars.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Karl Egerton, email: ke21101@essex.ac.uk.
phiquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Josiah Saunders
Durham University
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 811 hours, 36 (4.4%) hours available to students:
775 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.