PHIL30930 Training as a Philosophy Researcher Part 2

Academic Year 2022/2023

Are you interested in developing a philosophical research project of your own? Would you like to develop the skills that will help you to pursue research projects in philosophy? Do you enjoy thinking and writing about philosophical problems and discussing your ideas with your peers?
Part 2 of Training as a Philosophy Researcher builds on Part 1. During Part 2 you will write a sustained thesis of 8,000 words maximum, which is due at the end of week 8 of the spring trimester. You are free to pursue a philosophical topic of your choice, on condition that the module co-ordinator considers the topic viable, and there is a faculty member who is able and willing to act as supervisor. During this term, you will receive guidance from your supervisor and support from your peers, but to successfully complete your thesis it is important that you are motivated and willing to pursue independent research and study. You are encouraged to start thinking about a possible research topic as soon as possible and are expected to prepare a short research proposal during the autumn trimester.

In addition to meetings with your supervisor, you will be expected to attend seminar meetings and to present part of your research. This will be an opportunity for you to receive feedback on a draft chapter or section of your thesis and you will also be able to learn from your peers and to give and receive peer feedback and to develop and strengthen your philosophical research and writing skills.

This intensive module is designed for a small group of enthusiastic students. Students enrolling in Part 2 are expected to also enroll in Part 1 and to successfully complete Part 1. Places are limited and open only to Stage 4 Single and Joint Major philosophy students and PPE students who have attained a GPA average of 3.2 based on philosophy modules in Stages 2 and 3 as well as Stage 3 Single and Joint Major philosophy BA students who have attained a GPA average of 3.2 based on philosophy modules in Stage 2. If you are interested in enrolling please contact the Philosophy Undergraduate Administrator: helena.mccann@ucd.ie, who will register you directly.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this module should be able to:
• IDENTIFY a significant philosophical issue;
• independently RESEARCH a specific philosophical area and acquire detailed familiarity with this area;
• STRUCTURE a research project;
• SELECT relevant literature and other sources and compile a bibliography
• ANALYSE arguments in the literature and construct their own arguments with improved clarity and precision;
• WRITE a well-structured and coherent thesis that explains and critically assess philosophical views;
• PRESENT their own philosophical work in well-structured ways that make it easy to follow core ideas, arguments, and relevant problems;
• GIVE constructive feedback and INTERACT effectively and respectfully with other students, listen to and learn from others.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Conversation Class

10
Project Supervision

5
Specified Learning Activities

60
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Forthcoming.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Detailed outline of thesis, maximum 3 pages. Week 2 n/a Graded No

10
Presentation: Presentation of draft chapter or section of thesis Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

5
Project: Thesis of no more than 8000 words due in week 8. Unspecified n/a Graded No

85

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
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, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.