MA Political Science - Philosophy and Political Theory

The course will explore some important debates in contemporary philosophy of mind. The exact topics will change from year to year, but may include the nature of consciousness, perception, thought, intentionality, self-consciousness, and physicalism.

This course aims to:

• Help students to engage with central issues in the philosophy of mind
• Enhance students’ powers of critical analysis, reasoning and independent thought, and bring these to bear on important philosophical issues
• Familiarise students with some of the most interesting and provocative debates in contemporary philosophy of mind
 

On successful completion of this course unit, students will be able to demonstrate:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of central texts in analytic philosophy of mind;
• Demonstrate in-depth critical knowledge of the most important modern and contemporary theories in the areas covered by the course;
• Critically reflect on those theories; and articulate and defend their own views.

Teaching will take place in weekly two-hour seminars. Students will be assigned reading and preparatory questions for each seminar. Every two-hour session will consist of group-based discussion of the readings set, together with some contextualising from the seminar leader wherever appropriate. Meetings will normally start with a short student presentation, which summarises the assigned reading and raises questions for further discussion.

Students will also have the opportunity to discuss their private reading and writing assignments one-to-one with the tutor.

3000 word essay - 100%

Formative: oral feedback in seminars and office hours; written feedback on essay plans.

Summative: written feedback on coursework.

Bayne, Tim. 2022. Philosophy of Mind: An Introduction. London: Routledge

Timetable