This is an MSc-level course which will focus on a specific theme in the History of Western Philosophy. Such themes include, but are not limited to, the Scottish Enlightenment, Kant, 20th Century Analytic Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy, and Wittgenstein.

6 x fortnightly 2-hour seminar

None

None

Essay (5,000 words): 100%

This course aims to:

■ Develop students' undergraduate level understanding of a particular area in the History of Philosophy to a level which allow them to engage with contemporary positions and arguments in the field.

■ Enable students to articulate and critically evaluate their own position within these contemporary issues.

■ Provide a foundation in this field for future engagement in original research in an area in the History of Philosophy. 

■ Provide the opportunity to achieve a foundation that equips the student for research leading to a Ph.D. in the issues connected to (an area of) the History of Philosophy.

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

■ Explain the leading positions and arguments in a key area or areas within the History of Philosophy. 

■ Articulate arguments for and against these theories, and compare them and critically

■ Recognise and incorporate classic and contemporary positions and arguments in an area in the History of Philosophy into their own developing research fields where relevant

■ Develop an original philosophical argument in at least one subfield of the History of Philosophy

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.