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PHIL40970

Academic Year 2024/2025

Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition (PHIL40970)

Subject:
Philosophy
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Philosophy
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Keith Wilson
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This Masters-level module examines one or more topics arising from recent empirically-informed philosophy of mind, action, perception and/or cognition. Through guided reading, critical argument and classroom discussion, students will develop an understanding of some key philosophical issues in the philosophy of mind and how these relate to broader questions in the study of the mind and cognition.

Note: The module assumes some basic familiarity with some of the methods of philosophy and/or cognitive science, such as might be gained from an introductory undergraduate course, though no prior knowledge of the philosophy of mind is required or assumed.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this course will have:

(1) developed a sound understanding of some central issues in contemporary philosophy of mind and the cognitive sciences
(2) engaged critically with some important views and arguments in these areas, and
(3) developed independent arguments and views on some of the issues discussed.

Indicative Module Content:

The precise topics covered will vary from year to year, but will typically include one or more of the following:

• Consciousness and the subjective character of experience
• The role of attention in relation to perception and action
• The nature and continuity of the self
• Memory, reason, and rational deliberation
• Bayesian or predictive theories of the mind
• Sensorimotor or embodied approaches to cognition

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Specified Learning Activities

75
Autonomous Student Learning

150
Total

249

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Teaching will be seminar based, with participation in classroom discussion based on assigned readings and short student presentations. You may use generative Al in written assignments for certain purposes only under the guidance of your module coordinator and within academic integrity guidelines.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

This module is suitable for students with no background in philosophy of mind.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL40010 - Topics in Mind and Cognition


 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Submission of questions for discussion in seminars, plus a short in-class presentation Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

10

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 2,000-word essay Week 7 Graded No

25

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): 3,000-word essay Week 15 Graded No

50

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Short (1- or 2-page) essay plan or outline of the final essay, for which feedback will be provided Week 10 Graded No

15

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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