Course Catalogue

Social Epistemology PHIL4071

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

In this course, students will evaluate existing frameworks and propose new interventions in the area of 'social epistemology', which investigates socially relevant questions about how knowledge is shared in a community. Key research themes in social epistemology include, for example: testimony, disagreement, fake news, misinformation, group polarization, evidence-resistance, digital epistemology, trustworthy AI, expertise, and the epistemology of mass media.

Timetable

16x1hr lectures; 4x1hr seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

Requirements of Entry

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Philosophy, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

Excluded Courses

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (2000 words) - 50%

■ Essay (end of course, 2000 words) - 50%

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the essays, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Provide students with the opportunity to gain a detailed knowledge and understanding of debates in social epistemology, including cutting-edge debates about testimony

■ Explore the place of epistemic dependence and outsourcing within epistemology

■ Allow students to develop analytical and critical skills, by considering key arguments and positions, and formulating their own

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

■ Critically engage with key concepts that feature in contemporary debates about social epistemology.

■ Explain the reasoning that features in arguments for reductionist and anti-reductionist accounts of testimony and conciliationist and steadfast accounts of disagreement.

■ Identify and articulate the key characteristics of particular approaches and viewpoints in social epistemology

■ Construct and evaluate arguments for and against specific theses in social epistemology

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions