Choosing your modules 2015 (Joint Honours Philosophy) Information for students coming to UEA in 2015, for a Joint Honours Philosophy Programme. We re delighted that you ve decided to come to UEA for your philosophy degree. We re really looking forward to welcoming you. This information sheet tells you about some options that you can choose in your first year, particularly for those of you who get to choose an option in the first semester. If you have options in your first semester you need to complete an enrolment process for them before you arrive. This leaflet is for those doing a joint degree in Philosophy and something else (or something and Philosophy). You may also want to know about the exciting new developments in our V500 Single Honours Philosophy Degree, in case you would like to change to that programme (which now allows you to pursue a subsidiary subject in classics, creative writing, gender studies or languages & culture). To find out about that, please consult the other leaflet for single honours students. For PPE students, please check the School of Economics information site. What s in this leaflet What s in this leaflet... 1 Choosing your option modules... 2 1. Philosophy Joint Programmes with one option in the second term.... 2 Philosophy and Film Studies... 2 English Literature and Philosophy... 2 2. Philosophy Joint Programme with two options in the second term.... 2 Philosophy and History... 2 3. Joint Programme with one option in the first term... 3 Philosophy and Politics... 3 Brief outlines of the year 1 philosophy modules and selected non- philosophy options... 3 (Autumn)... 3 Philosophical Problems (Autumn)... 3 Reasoning and Logic (Spring)... 4 (Spring)... 4 (Spring)... 4 Social and Political Theory (Autumn)... 4 Literature in History I (Autumn)... 4 Reading Texts: Tutorial Class (Autumn)... 5 Global Politics 1... 5 Media Society and Power... 5 Suggestions for Summer Reading... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1
Choosing your option modules Philosophy and Film Studies 1. Philosophy Joint Programmes with one option in the second term. In your first semester you take three compulsory modules: What is Film History? Analysing Film In the second semester, you take two compulsory modules: Studies in Film History and then you choose one of these philosophy modules: Reasoning and Logic You will not need to choose your second semester module before you arrive, but some details on these modules can be found in the descriptions below. English Literature and Philosophy In your first semester you take three compulsory modules: Literature in History I Reading Texts In the second semester, you take two compulsory modules: Literature in History II and then you choose one of these philosophy modules: Reasoning and Logic You will not need to choose your second semester module before you arrive, but some details on these modules can be found in the descriptions below. Philosophy and History 2. Philosophy Joint Programme with two options in the second term. In your first semester you take three compulsory modules: Introduction to Medieval History Introduction to Early Modern Studies In your second semester, one module is compulsory: Then you choose one philosophy module: Either Reasoning and Logic 2
And one History module: Either Witchcraft, Magic and Belief in Early Modern Europe The Age of Extremes: Europe 1918 2001 History, Controversy and Debate You will not need to choose your second semester modules before you arrive, but some details on the two philosophy modules can be found in the descriptions below. For more information on the History modules, take a look at the information for new students in History on the web site. Philosophy and Politics 3. Joint Programme with one option in the first term This degree is run from the Politics sector of the School, not from Philosophy, but it works in just the same way. In your first semester you take two compulsory modules: Philosophical Problems Social and Political Theory In your second semester you take three compulsory modules: Introduction to contemporary politics But you also have to choose an option for the first semester. These are your options: Either A language module (listed as any module beginning PPLB ) Global Politics I Media, Society and Power For more information on the Politics modules, take a look at the information for new students in Politics on the web site. More information on the Philosophy modules is given below. Brief outlines of the year 1 philosophy modules and selected non-philosophy options (Autumn) This introductory module for first year students is designed to invite you into philosophical enquiry by way of a detailed study of some of the most famous books by the founding fathers of Western Philosophy. The set texts typically include a classic work by Plato, from the birth of philosophy in Classical Greece, and a classic work by Descartes, the father of modern philosophy. One or two texts by Aristotle or later Greek and Mediaeval thinkers may also be included. The texts are studied in modern English. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required, and this module is suitable for students from other disciplines who are taking no other philosophy modules. Philosophical Problems (Autumn) The module offers a problem-focused introduction to philosophy. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required. Students are invited to explore questions from several core areas of philosophy and to acquire and deploy some first techniques for approaching these questions and resolving the puzzles. The issues cover a spectrum of related topics, such as scepticism, the possibility of knowledge, causation, freedom and determinism, the nature of mind and its relation to body, language, morality and issues in political philosophy. By demonstrating the use of various tools and techniques used in 3
philosophy in relation to these issues, the module prepares students for further work in each of these and other contemporary fields. Reasoning and Logic (Spring) Consider this argument: 'If two equals one, then, since you and the Pope are two, you and the Pope are one'. This is admittedly odd, but at the same time it feels compelling. The impression is that the argument includes bizarre or false claims, but that these are used in a somewhat consistent manner. What does this mean, exactly? The key to an answer is to draw a distinction between arguments that have true premisses and arguments that do not but are nonetheless correct. In this module we shall study this distinction and focus in particular on learning easy ways of finding out whether an argument is correct or not. Since there are simple rules to do so, this module will not only enable you to spot an incorrect argument whenever you see it, but also offer you an especially straightforward way into the study of logic. Moreover, this is one of the few modules in the humanities where you can get a full 100% mark on all of your coursework, if you just know the basic ideas and the way to apply them. (Spring) This module introduces students to the history of modern philosophy by studying the work of a number of major philosophers, such as Spinoza, Hume, Kant, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Wittgenstein. We look at the different answers they give to a common set of problems, beginning with problems in epistemology, i.e. problems about the nature and limits of human knowledge, about what we can know and how we can know it. These problems then connect with questions about what the world must be like in order for us to know it and what we (our minds) must be like in order to know the world. Close reading of texts is developed in the formative exercises and the summative essay work, and there is also an examination. The module is suitable for students with little or no prior experience of philosophy. (Spring) This module revolves around the close reading of four classic texts from the distant or the recent past, which offer profoundly original perspectives on problems that must constantly be faced and reflected upon by mankind. The specific problem we shall focus on in Spring 2016 is the opposition of liberty and oppression, seen in particular from the point of view of the relation between freedom and revolution. Our main task will be to explore a genealogy of the idea of revolution and then devote ourselves to philosophically central conceptions of revolution, beginning with Marx (and looking at his influence on thinkers and political figures such as Lenin or Rosa Luxemburg) and continuing with critics of Marx who made an effort to reconceive the very idea of revolution, notably the French philosopher and mystic Simone Weil and the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber. These figures and their ideas will naturally attract a number of other texts, some philosophical and some literary (authors may include Homer, LaBoetie, Landauer, Levi, Melville, Todorov), which will be discussed to broaden the context in which our four classics can be situated and explore their theoretical resonance with other classics. Social and Political Theory (Autumn) This module explores the ways in which a variety of thinkers have sought to understand modern society, culture and politics. You will learn to grapple with fascinating and challenging theories of contemporary life by reading the work of writers such as Rousseau and Kant, Marx and Weber, Freud and Foucault. Is modern life shaped by capitalism or bureaucracy? Are we freer than ever before, or slaves to the market and the state? Are we truly individuals or does society shape our identity? What is power and who has it? These are the kinds of question you will debate in class as you learn to think deeply about what drives the world today. Literature in History I (Autumn) This is the main introductory module to the study of literature. It aims to help new students to read historically, by offering a range of models of the relationship between literature and history, explored through the study of selected historical and literary moments. The module is taught by a weekly lecture, with an accompanying seminar. 4
Reading Texts: Tutorial Class (Autumn) This module provides the opportunity to work closely on selected texts within the contexts of a small group. It aims to develop and explore modes of textual analysis. By the end of the module the students will have highly developed reading skills, a sense of the implications of interpreting texts and the individual research skills essential for a university degree. Not available to Visiting Students. Global Politics 1 This module introduces students to the study of global politics. It outlines the architecture, actors and history of the international system. It introduces students to the core theoretical approaches to understanding the dynamics of global politics, such as Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism and Critical Perspectives. It also introduces a number of core concepts for making sense of global politics, including sovereignty, the balance of power, international law, security and globalization. Media Society and Power This module introduces first year students to the main theories of mass communications and provides them with the key skills of academic reading and writing. Students will reflect on the importance of reading for academic research and learn how to assess and discuss the relevance and impact of milestones in mass communications theory from the nineteenth century to the present. The module explores theoretical approaches to media content, production, regulation and reception, including key themes such as freedom of speech, public sphere and political economy. Suggestions for Summer Reading Below are the suggestions for all students taking first year philosophy modules in the Autumn. For suggestions for your subsidiary or joint subject, please consult the advice provided for new students in that discipline, by looking on the relevant web page for that subject. Preparatory Reading For Philosophy Students 2015 Hello, and welcome to the School of Philosophy here at UEA. If you have enrolled on a degree course that is hosted in the Philosophy department, or if you are enrolled in another School on a joint degree that includes philosophy, then you will be taking one or both of our two autumn semester philosophy modules: 1. PPPLP4061A Classic Readings In Philosophy Taken by students doing Philosophy, English Literature & Philosophy, Philosophy & History, and Philosophy & Film Studies. 2. PPLP4062A Philosophical Problems Taken by students doing Philosophy, Philosophy & Politics, Politics Philosophy & Economics. Set books: 3. Preparatory Reading For Classic Readings Plato, Five Dialogues (2nd ed. trans by G.M.A. Grube), Hackett Publishing paperback (ISBN 0-87220- 633-5) Aristotle, Physics (Trans by Robin Waterfield) Oxford World s Classics Paperback (ISBN 0-19954- 028-4) René Descartes, Selected Philosophical Writings (ed. J. Cottingham et al.), Cambridge University Press paperback (ISBN 0-52135-812-5) Preparatory reading Apart from looking at the set books you could usefully read: David J. Melling Understanding Plato (Oxford University Press paperback) 5
Jonathan Barnes Aristotle A Very Short Introduction (Oxford paperback) Tom Sorell Descartes A Very Short Introduction (Oxford paperback). Set Books 4. Preparatory Reading For Philosophical Problems There is no set book for this module: a dossier of texts will be provided when you arrive. Preparatory Reading A useful introduction is: Nigel Warburton, Philosophy The Basics Routledge pb (ISBN 0-414532-773-2) This is a good clear introduction to a number of areas in the field of philosophy. Additional suggestions If you have never done any philosophy before, then Thomas Nagel s What Does It All Mean? (Oxford paperback) is a very short and simple introduction to philosophical thinking (though rather subtly done Nagel is one of the greatest living American philosophers). Something with a wider spread and more detail is Simon Blackburn s beautifully-written Think (Oxford paperback). John Hospers An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis (Routledge paperback) is another clear introductory guide to the field. Every student should have at least a small grasp of logic, and a helpful introduction would be the early chapters of Wilfrid Hodges Logic (Penguin paperback). The later chapters will be of some help to students who go on to take Reasoning and Logic in the spring semester. What do I have to buy? The set books are books you have to own. You must buy the recommended editions (other editions will not do instead: be very careful about this). You will also want to buy a copy of A.P. Martinich Philosophical Writing (third edition) Blackwell 2005. This will help you to understand what you are trying to do when you write about philosophy. We shall use it in connection with some of the workshops and essays in the Classic Readings module. What about the others? The other suggestions are things you should find easily in your local library. You can buy a second hand copy if you wish, but there is no need to own them. See you in September. 6