Philosophy MA/BSc/MA(SocSci)
Gender and Race PHIL4061
- 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, we will begin by exploring racial and gendered oppression: what are these forms of oppression, and how are they interrelated? Then we will take a look at a selection of issues and questions that philosophers of race and gender have had interesting things to say about, spanning topics in ethics, political philosophy, epistemology, philosophy of language, and metaphysics.
Timetable
18 x 1hr lectures; 4 x 1hr seminars as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Philosophy and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ Portfolio (2 x 1000 word written pieces) - 50%
■ Essay (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 assessments, 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:
■ Introduce students to key debates in philosophy on the nature of gender and race.
■ Provide students with the opportunity to explore the place of gender and race within metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language and ethics.
■ Facilitate the students' development of analytical and critical skills, by considering key arguments and positions on gender and race.
■ Enable students to formulate their own positions and arguments on philosophical issues relating to gender and race.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Describe and critique the different positions on the issue of the nature of gender and race.
■ Explain and assess different arguments concerning the nature of gender and race, the use of gender and race concepts, the ethics of gender and race, and the epistemology of gender and race.
■ Assess the viability of key positions on the nature of gender and race.
■ Formulate their own arguments and positions on philosophical issues of gender and race.