The Body: Thinking and Feeling

Code

LIBA3004

School

Liberal Arts

Level

3

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

On this module, students will explore the traditions of thought that surround the operations and abilities of the human body and expose these traditions to critical reflection, as we challenge the systemic inequalities, inaccurate assumptions, and perceived limitations of our embodiment. As a final year module, the body provides an ideal topic of focus for Liberal Arts students, who will be encouraged to draw their experiences in various disciplines into dialogue with the thinkers encountered on this module to flesh out their understanding and explorations of the cultural significance of the human body. Students will consider philosophical, legal, cultural, social, artistic and literary conceptualisations of the human body, and explore how the different textures of these approaches align with and contradict the multiplicities of human experience. 

Target Students

Only available to final year Liberal Arts students and Exchange students.

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 11 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks

It is essential for the design and delivery of this module that all seminars are scheduled after the lecture. The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies operates an attendance policy. The details of this policy can be found in the student handbook on Workspace and in module handbooks.

Assessment

• 25% Coursework 1: Coursework - 1000-1250 words or equivalent
• 75% Coursework 2: Coursework - 3000-3500 words or equivalent

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Throughout this module, students will: 

• develop a thorough appreciation of the diverse ways in which the human body has been conceptualised and represented across disciplines and cultures

• understand the wide-ranging implications of these conceptualisations of the human body 

• think critically and respond creatively to traditions of thought and cultural conventions

• be supported to take ownership of their learning experiences

• provide support and guidance to their peers 

• experience project management and self-directed time management

Throughout this module, students will gain a knowledge and understanding of:

• the impact that longstanding traditions of bodily thought have on ongoing contemporary debates about human experience 

• the challenges posed by contemporary thinking to these longstanding traditions of bodily thought 

• the complexities of the relationship between mind, body, and feeling 

• how our ideas about the human body underpin ideas of human experience, rights, and abilities 

Throughout this module, students will be supported to enhance and develop their intellectual skills of: 

• interdisciplinary analysis

• critical reading and reflection 

• creative and innovative responses to key challenges 

• intercultural awareness

This module will enable students to demonstrate and enhance the professional and transferable skills in: 

• synthesising and analysing ideas and information 

• independent research 

• time management 

• project planning 

• written communication 

• communication of ideas 

• feedback and feedforward

• peer review and support 

Conveners

• Dr Edward Clough