Course type:: Compulsory course

When:: 1 year, 3, 4 module

Instructor

Кузьменко Анна Владимировна

Abstract

As a special mode of human rationality and creativity, philosophy has considerable intellectual value of its own but also underlies many accomplishments in science, art, religion and social organisation. The course introduces traditional philosophical topics such as logic, metaphysics, epistemology, language, right and wrong, justice and power, and recipes for virtuous life. The discussion centers on questions rather than on prominent figures and eras in the history of philosophy and aims to give a lucid and vivid introduction to complicated topics.

Learning Objectives

Upon the completion of the course, the student is supposed to be able to explain and apply the basic tools of deductive and inductive reasoning, point out and avoid fallacies
Upon the completion of the course, the student is supposed to be able to conceptualize the nature of philosophical enquiry as opposed to science, art, and religion
Upon the completion of the course, the student is supposed to be able to point out some of the main domains and topics in philosophy and explain key positions on them
Upon the completion of the course, the student is supposed to be able to evaluate the merits and demerits of philosophical viewpoints and apply philosophical theories to test cases

Expected Learning Outcomes

being able to explain and apply the basic tools of deductive and inductive reasoning, point out and avoid fallacies
being able to rationally debate the topics in theoretical philosophy and to apply thought experiments to the evaluation of philosophical theories
being able to evaluate actions from the viewpoint of main approaches to the problem of right and wrong
being able to point out the philosophical underpinnings of social and political organisation
evaluate the merits and demerits of philosophical viewpoints and apply philosophical theories to test cases

Course Contents

Critical thinking
Metaphysics and epistemology
Value theory: ethics
Value theory: political philosophy
Projects

Assessment Elements

Seminar activity
• 8-10 points (Excellent): Consistently contributes insightful and well-reasoned comments. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the reading and concepts. Actively engages with the ideas of others, offering constructive criticism and thoughtful responses. Contributions advance the discussion in a meaningful way. Shows evidence of independent thinking and critical analysis. • 6-7 points (Good): Regularly participates in discussions. Demonstrates a good understanding of the reading and concepts. Offers relevant comments and questions. Engages with the ideas of others, though contributions may lack the depth or sophistication of the excellent category. • 4-5 points (Satisfactory): Participates occasionally in discussions. Demonstrates a basic understanding of the readings and concepts. Contributions are generally relevant but may lack depth or originality. • 3 points: attended seminar.
Presentation
Student divide into 10 groups of 2-4 people, as there are 10 units in the course. They need to prepare a ten-minute presentation with additional information on the subject of the unit for each seminar. So, the first group makes a presentation for the seminar on the topic: 'Truth and Validity', and so on.
Project

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 4th module
0.2 * Presentation + 0.3 * Project + 0.5 * Seminar activity

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Pritchard, D. (2016). What Is This Thing Called Philosophy? London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1222339

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Chrisman, M., & Pritchard, D. (2017). Philosophy for Everyone (Vol. Second edition). New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1286862

Authors

KUZMENKO ANNA VLADIMIROVNA

Bachelor’s Programme 'Political Science and World Politics'

Contacts

International Accreditation

Philosophy