This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2024-2025 (archived)
Module PHIL1101: Being Human: An Introduction to Post-Kantian Philosophy
Department: Philosophy
PHIL1101: Being Human: An Introduction to Post-Kantian Philosophy
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 1 | 20 | Available in 2024/2025 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
- CFG0: Natural Sciences
- CV85: Philosophy and Psychology
- LA01: Liberal Arts
- LMV0: Combined Honours in Social Sciences
- LV25: Philosophy and Politics
- QV35: English Literature and Philosophy
- V500: Philosophy
- VL52: Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- VV56: Philosophy and Theology
- WV53: Music and Philosophy
- XV35: Education Studies - Philosophy (see Undergraduate Handbook 2021-2022 for details)
Pre-requisites
- None
Corequisites
- At least one other Year 1 module in Philosophy.
Excluded Combinations
- None
Aims
- To introduce post-Kantian (AKA Continental) philosophy by critically examining the ideas, arguments and methods of some prominent post-Kantian European philosophers.
- To prepare students for a deeper consideration of issues in post-Kantian philosophy in second and third year modules.
Content
- Topics will be drawn from a list including the following:
- What is post-Kantian philosophy?
- Work and Society
- Gender, Sexuality and Race
- Living and Theorising
- Illness and Death
- Reason and Faith
- Ethics
- Life and Affirmation
- Love
- Freedom
- Each topic will be addressed by considering the views of some post-Kantian philosophers. For example, the topic of Work and Society would be addressed by considering the works of writers such as Marx, Arendt, Marcuse, Weil and Foucault.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Upon successful completion of the module, students will have
- A critical understanding of some of the main ideas, arguments and methods of post-Kantian philosophers.
Subject-specific Skills
- Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- Correctly use specialist vocabulary in discussions of post-Kantian philosophy
- Interpret and criticise relevant texts in post-Kantian philosophy
- Locate, understand, assess and utilise pertinent philosophical and historical sources on post-Kantian philosophy
- Comprehend, analyse, evaluate and deploy arguments concerning post-Kantian philosophy
- Using all of the above skills, write critical and well-informed essays on selected topics concerning post-Kantian philosophy
Key Skills
- Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- Express themselves clearly and succinctly in writing
- Comprehend complex ideas, arguments and philosophical methods
- Defend their opinions by reasoned argument
- Seek out and identify appropriate sources of evidence and information
- Tackle problems in a clear-sighted and logical fashion.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- This module will be taught in weekly one-hour lectures, with fortnightly discussion groups allowing the students to enter into deeper discussion and engagement with the concepts introduced in the lecture. Teaching and learning methods will support students in achieving the Subject-Specific Skills above. The Subject-Specific Skills will be formally assessed by the summative essays.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 22 | 1 per week | 1 Hour | 22 | |
| Discussion Groups | 8 | Fortnightly | 1 Hour | 8 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50% | Essay | 2000 words | 100% | Yes |
| Written Examination | 50% | Written Examination | 2 Hours | 100% | Yes |
Formative Assessment
One Formative Essay 2000 words
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.