Programme specification
This programme specification is aimed at prospective students and represents the most current course structure.
SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD
| Programme: | Continental Philosophy |
|---|---|
| Awarding body: | University of Essex |
| Teaching institution: | University of Essex |
| Department: | Philosophy |
| Final award: | MA |
| NQF Level of Qualification: | Master |
| Full / Part Time | Full-time or part-time |
| QAA Benchmark Group: | None |
| JACS code: | V501 |
| Publication date: | 26/04/2010 |
| Admission criteria:
if the applicant does not meet the specified criteria, he or she may discuss the application with the Head of Undergraduate or Head of Postgraduate admissions. |
BA of Upper Second Class standard in Philosophy or other Humanities subject, or an equivalent qualification. Language requirements: IELTS 7.0 TOEFL 600 and TOEFL (computer) 250 or comparable. |
SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS
This section provides a concise overview of the programme of study, identifying the aims, learning outcomes and the corresponding methods of learning, teaching and assessment.
Programme: MA Continental Philosophy
Programme aims:
To provide students of various backgrounds with a rigorous grounding in Continental Philosophy from Kant and Hegel to the present. To present students with the opportunity to engage directly with some of the major texts of the Continental tradition. To offer an introduction to some of the strands of Continental thought, such as phenomenology, hermeneutics, genealogy, deconstruction and Critical theory. To develop students' capacities for independent thought and critical reflection. To develop in students the research skills appropriate to the advanced study of Continental Philosophy, thus providing them with the basis for further progression to a Doctoral degree. The outcomes listed below represent the minimum that might be expected of a graduate student. It is the intention of the School that the vast majority of graduates will achieve significantly more. Details of the different standards expected for the various classes of degree can be found in the Student Handbook produced annually by the School of Philosophy and Art History.
Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
|
A1 : Knowledge of some of Kant's work and/or of that of some of the main figures in the post-Kantian tradition. A2 : Knowledge of the key issues and methods in the Post-Kantian tradition. A3 : Ability to engage critically with the main texts and the secondary literature pertaining to them. A4 : Awareness of the more recent debates in Continental philosophy, ability to recontextualise them within the tradition and to form an educated judgement on the relevant issues. A5 : Ability to form and present personal, if possible original, views on philosophical issues arising from the Continental tradition. |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
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B1 : Ability to identify complex arguments and to present one's own evaluation of them. B2 : Ability to use and criticise specialised philosophical terminology. B3 : Ability to identify underlying issues in philosophical texts, debates and arguments, and to highlight deficiencies such as unquestioned assumptions, superficial analogies and unsubstantiated claims. B4 : Ability to summarise complex and demanding texts, often written at historical distance, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the views they propose. B5 : Ability to demonstrate self direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and in commenting on complex information. B6 : Ability to plan and conduct (under the guidance of a supervisor) a piece of independent research, and to present it in a clear, coherent and argumentative manner. |
C: Practical Skills
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C1 : Ability for students to express themselves in a clear, argumentative and rigorous way. C2 : Ability to abstract and synthesize relevant information from a range of sources, including books, journal articles, library and internet resources. C3 : Ability to select their own topic and structure a substantial piece of independent study (the dissertation). |
D: Key Skills
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Communication: D1 : Ability to write clearly and to communicate one's ideas to an audience. IT Skills: D2 : Use of relevant information technology to research and present written work (including searchable databases such as library catalogues, internet sources, the Philosopher's Index, etc.). Problem Solving: D4 : At the end of the module, students should have become able to: -identify the problems to be solved; -articulate critically the assumptions underlying or connected with the problem; -compare and contrast differing and often contradictory solutions to the problem; -provide arguments in evidence and defence of one's solution to the problem. Self Learning: D6 : Students should have become able to: -organise their work within deadlines; -select and organise their reading in relation to specific topics; -reflect on their own learning and performance and make constructive use of feedback; -learn independently. |
Learning, Teaching & Assessment Methods or Strategies for the following:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
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Learning Methods Outcomes A1-A5 are acquired through attendance and participation in the compuslory/recommended modules and in the MA Seminars in Continental Philosophy. Reading is carefully selected in advance for each session, and students are expected to have assimilated the appropriate passages prior to coming to class. The lecture/seminar is followed by a one hour discussion, during which students are given the opportunity to ask and answer questions, voice theoretical concerns, raise additional issues. Students are sometimes asked to give short non-assessed presentations, followed by discussions. This provides the opportunity for an informal assessment of their oral and argumentative skills. Outcomes A1-A5 are also fostered by means of the Departmental seminars, during which speakers, sometime world-known specialists, give presentations followed by open discussions. The Department also organises a yearly mini-course, during which a specialist of international renown is asked to teach a series of classes on a specific topic. Students also prepare a dissertation on a topic of their choice which is individually supervised. Assessment Methods Outcomes A1-A5 are formally assessed in all modules by means of written coursework. Formal assessment is also carried out through the marking of the final dissertation (independently marked by two examiners, neither of which is the student's supervisor). |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
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Learning Methods Skills B1-B3 are developed in all compulsory/recommended modules and in the MA seminars by means of teaching, discussion and assigned oral presentations on topics chosen by the students. These skills are also developed during the classes and seminar, where students receive feedback on their presentations and are strongly encouraged to partake in discussion. Skills B4-B6 are developed through essay writing, and mostly through the exercise of selecting and pursuing a dissertation topic that engages with a specific author/problem within the context of the Continental tradition. These skills are also fostered by supervisory sessions during the preparation of dissertations. Assessment Methods Skills B1-B3 are assessed by means of the essays written during the year by the students. Skills B4-B6 are formally assessed through the marking of essays and of the dissertation. |
C: Practical Skills
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Learning Methods Skills C1 and C2 are developed by means of active participation in the seminars. Personal supervision is also available to students in order to develop their own topic for each of the essays they have to write. Considerable autonomy is encouraged in researching essays, the staff member aiming to assist in the formulation of research questions and in developing a strategy for answering them. All students are encouraged to attend the departmental seminars, and to participate in debate on the topic presented. Re: skill C3, during the spring term students select their prospective dissertation topic and meet regularly with their chosen supervisor. Additionally, there are detailed guidelines on the writing of MA dissertations in the departmental handbook to supplement guidance given by the supervisor. All three skills are informally assessed through class based work and discussion. Assessment Methods Skills C1 and C2 are assessed by means of coursework marking. Skill C3 is assessed by the dissertation, which is double-marked. |
D: Key Skills
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Learning Methods Skills D1 and D4: all courses require students to participate actively in discussion. They also require students to work independently on essays as well as on their dissertation. These have to be structured in an argumentative manner, and the arguments have to be supported by appropriate quotes or examples. Students also learn to express their views concisely and clearly when discussing the topics of their choice with their lecturers, and during supervisory sessions for the structuring and writing of the dissertation. Skill D2 is developed by students themselves while they do the preparatory work for their essays and dissertation. They are encouraged to use the University key skills on-line package, library searches and internet philosophy resources. Skills D6 are developed by students during the course, by means of the research they do for the writing of their essays and dissertation. Special emphasis is placed on feedback in the detailed comment sheets that accompany each marked essay. Assessment Methods All skills are assessed through continuous coursework, and by the marking of the dissertation by two independent examiners, neither of whom is the student's supervisor. |
SECTION C: COURSE STRUCTURE
Please refer to your option list as issued by the department where necessary,
and view module details in the module directory.
Additional notes on module choices:
Over the first two terms of study, students will be required to take a total of six modules. Normally, this will be divided with three modules in the Autumn and three in the Spring term. We strongly recommend (but do not require) that you take the MA Writing Workshop (PY951) in the Autumn Term. This provides intensive skill-oriented training in philosophical writing at the postgraduate level. Normally, students on the MA Continental Philosophy will select their six modules from the list of options provided. We encourage you to speak with a member of staff if you have questions about the selection of your modules.
A maximum of 2 x 20 credit modules may be taken.
MA students are entitled to apply for a place on a 2-week Erasmus Intensive Programme which usually takes place in July at one of the partner universities. A call for applications is normally circulated in the spring term. The topic in 2012-13 is Democracy and Cosmopolitanism
Components
| Component No. | Module Code | Module Title | Status in Award | Status in PG Diploma | Status in PG Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | PY981-7-FY | Dissertation: MA in Continental Philosophy | Core | Core | |
| 02 | PHILOSOPHY OPTION (15 CREDITS) | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| 03 | PHILOSOPHY OPTION (15 CREDITS) | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| 04 | PHILOSOPHY OPTION (15 CREDITS) | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| 05 | PHILOSOPHY OPTION (15 CREDITS) | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| 06 | PHILOSOPHY, ART HISTORY CPS OPTION (15 / 20 CREDITS) | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| 07 | PHILOSOPHY, ART HISTORY CPS OPTION (15 / 20 CREDITS) | Optional | Optional | Optional |
SECTION D: RULES OF ASSESSMENT
Rules of assessment are here: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/pgt/pgtrulesmenu.htm
Assessment information for individual modules can be found on the Module Directory at http://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/
See also: details of individual modules in the module directory and links to course materials and resources in the Online Resource Bank.
NOTE
The University of Essex Programme Specifications Catalogue is updated annually in April/May. The specifications represent the most current course structures and may be subject to review and change. Should you have any queries about the Catalogue's pages, please contact the Course Records Team, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: crt (non Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)