PHIL31030 Philosophy of Perception and the Senses

Academic Year 2024/2025

Most of our knowledge and experience depends, either directly or indirectly, upon the senses. But do our senses provide us with an accurate impression of the world, or is sensory experience itself a kind of hallucination or illusion (as some philosophers and neuroscientists have claimed)? This module examines a variety of issues in contemporary philosophy of perception, using a combination of philosophical argument and experiential reflection to help you develop your own views and ideas about these and other questions concerning the fundamental nature of sensory, and multisensory, perception.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this module will:

(1) have a good grasp of some of the central issues in contemporary philosophy of perception and the senses
(2) have engaged critically with the most important views and arguments in this area, and
(3) have developed some independent thoughts and arguments on those issues.

Indicative Module Content:

The precise topics covered each year may vary, but may include:

• How many senses do we have, and what are they? (Hint: there are more than five!)
• Can our thoughts or beliefs influence what we perceive?
• What are the objects of visual, tactile, auditory, taste and smell experience?
• How do our various senses interact in multisensory experience?
• What can hallucinations and illusions teach us about ordinary experience?
• What would it mean for perception to be a “controlled hallucination”?
• How do we experience space and time across different sensory modalities?

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

11
Specified Learning Activities

70
Autonomous Student Learning

140
Total

245
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be taught using a combination of weekly 2-hour interactive lectures, during which students are encouraged to ask questions and raise issues of interest, plus 1-hour tutorials (Weeks 2 to 12) which will focus on detailed reading and discussion of assigned readings, plus independent reading and reflection. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Additional Information:
Students should have taken at least two other philosophy modules prior to commencing the module, or have relevant background from another subject (e.g. Psychology or Cognitive Science).


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment(Including Essay): 3,000-word essay, plus supporting material which could include images, news articles, video and/or notes n/a Graded Yes

60
Assignment(Including Essay): 1,500-word mid-term essay (written feedback will be provided) n/a Graded No

30
Participation in Learning Activities: Attendance at and participation in weekly lectures and tutorials, assessed by submission of short questions for discussion n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

10

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring 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.