Course unit details:
MA Philosophy Research Skills
Unit code | PHIL60010 |
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Credit rating | 30 |
Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
Teaching period(s) | Full year |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This course unit is designed to support students to reflect on and develop their practice as researchers in Philosophy. Working in the context of a philosophical community of MA students, you will be encouraged to plan your own research development, identify current strengths and weaknesses, aspirations, research training needs, and ways to meet these needs and develop your practice. You will discuss and engage in critical analysis of philosophical texts and ideas, developing your abilities to analyse and develop cogent and creative criticisms of philosophical texts, to place particular views and arguments within a more general philosophical context, and to take responsibility for sustaining fruitful and inclusive seminar discussions. This unit also supports your preparation for writing your dissertation, including identifying a research topic, producing a research proposal, reflecting on how to plan your research, and thinking together about what constitutes good philosophical writing. You will present work to your peers and will learn how to communicate ideas in various formats and styles. Assessment tasks for the unit are designed to enable you to cultivate a variety of important aspects of your research practice, including presentation skills, giving and acting on feedback, and writing for different purposes and audiences.
Aims
- To enable students to reflect on their practice as researchers in Philosophy, identify their research training needs, and undertake work to meet these needs and improve their practice.
- To enable students to acquire experience of producing philosophical content in a variety of formats and for a variety of purposes.
- To enable students to plan their research in a way that will equip them to write their MA dissertation.
- To assist students in developing the skills required to manage their own research development through their graduate studies.
- To get students to lead, sustain, and participate in philosophical discussions that are not aided by a tutor.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit, successful participants will:
- Have gained experience of producing philosophical content in a variety of formats and for a variety of purposes.
- Have identified and explained a set of research questions that interest them, and reflected on how they could address these questions within the scope of their MA dissertation.
- Be able to communicate philosophical ideas using a variety of methods, which may include written work, verbal presentation with visual aids, and the provision of feedback to others.
- Be able to understand and engage critically with advanced philosophical writing.
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will be seminar based, with a two hour seminar each week, spread over two semesters. Seminars will incorporate activities such as whole-group discussion, presentations, and activities in pairs or small groups. A piece of work such as a piece of reading or a reflective activity will often be set as preparation for a seminar. |
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Key Transferable Skills:
On successful completion of this course unit, participants should have developed:
- Problem solving skills.
- Analytic and critical skills.
- The ability to argue from evidence.
- The ability to communicate ideas effectively.
- The ability to set appropriate goals and to work independently and/or cooperatively.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Other | 20% |
Written assignment (inc essay) | 80% |
Semester 1 Research proposal. 30%. 800 words plus bibliography. Deadline: January.
Written communication task. 20%. Deadline: January.
Semester 2 Presentation and discussion (totalling 20 minutes). 20%. Deadline: n/a (presentation slots during scheduled class time).
Portfolio of work involving forming, delivering and utilising critical feedback on philosophical writing. 30%. Deadline for submission of portfolio: May.
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