Social Philosophy

Code

PHIL2008

School

Philosophy

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

This module is a survey course in social philosophy. The module addresses issues in social metaphysics and social epistemology. We will examine the metaphysics of various social kinds: topics covered may include for example the metaphysics of race, sex, love, gender, disability, class. We will also examine how the fact that we are situated in a social world can affect what we can or cannot know or understand about ourselves, each other, and the social world itself. We will also address ethical and/or political issues that arise once we take account of social metaphysics and social epistemology. In particular, we might consider whether there are special kinds of injustices that arise due to our social reality. Topics can include how to do philosophy responsibly; sexism, racism (including everyday sexism/racism); arguments for and against affirmative action.
 
 

Target Students

Second year single honours and joint honours Philosophy students and exchange students. Also available to second year Liberal Arts students who have either done PHIL1012 or PHIL1013; or are doing PHIL1012 OR PHIL1013 (co-requisite). Also available to single honours Philosophy and joint honours Music and Philosophy students in their final year taking 20 credits of Level 2 modules.

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

• Reasoning, Argument, and Logic (PHIL1012)
• Mind, Knowledge, and Ethics (PHIL1013)

Classes

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

Total contact time 37 hours

Assessment

• 45% Coursework 1: Mid Term Essay - 1800 words
• 5% Reading Summaries (Assignment): Reading summaries
• 50% Exam 1 (3-hour)

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding. 
By the end of this module you should be able to understand, and demonstrate a clear grasp of, the main positions in the philosophical debates covered by the module. 

B. Intellectual skills.

By the end of this module you should be able to:
B1. Identify the underlying issues in the debates discussed.
B2. Analyse the structure of complex and controversial problems, with an understanding of major strategies of reasoning designed to solve such problems.
B3. Read carefully and interpret texts drawn from a variety of sources, with sensitivity to context.
B4. Abstract, analyse and construct logical arguments, employing techniques of formal and informal methods of reasoning as appropriate, together with an ability to recognise any relevant fallacies.
B5. Recognise and judge for yourself the strengths and weaknesses of arguments on both sides of each philosophical issue.

C. Practical Skills.

By the end of this module you should be able to
C1. Identify textually-based arguments and subject their structure and implications to rigorous assessment.
C2. Understand any relevant specialist philosophical terminology and be able to use it properly.
C3. Review unfamiliar ideas with an open mind and a willingness to change one’s mind when appropriate.

D. Transferable skills.

By the end of this module you should be able to
D1. Express views on (abstract) issues clearly and concisely in writing.
D2. Participate effectively and appropriately in constructive debate on relevant issues.
D3. Work autonomously and manage one’s own work to time limits.
D4. Marshal a complex body of information, construct cogent arguments in the evaluation of this material, and present a clear and well-structured assessment of relevant considerations, both in writing and in conversation.
D5. Think creatively, self-critically and independently about new and unfamiliar problems

Conveners

• Dr Katie Monk