PHIL31130 Training as a Phil Researcher1

Academic Year 2024/2025

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?
Training as a Philosophy Researcher is a module that consists of two parts. During Part 1 (autumn trimester) there will be weekly seminar meetings, which will be interactive and discussion-based. The seminars will not only give you an opportunity to discuss philosophical texts on a range of topics in philosophy, but will also provide space for learning and developing philosophical skills that will you well to pursue your own research project and write a thesis in Part 2 (spring trimester).
The assessment during Part 1 will consists of a short presentation (5%), a short written mid-term assignment (25%), and a final essay of 3000 words (70%). Students taking the module are encouraged to write the final essay on a topic of their own choice and can use this as an opportunity to write a chapter or section of their thesis that is meant to be completed in Part 2.
This intensive module is designed for a small group of enthusiastic students. 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 School of Philosophy Office at philosophy@ucd.ie, who will be able to 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:
* PLAN and pursue independent small research projects and be able to apply philosophical research and writings skills to their own projects;
* REFLECT critically upon central philosophical questions and develop their own philosophical responses to a variety of these questions;
* IDENTIFY key philosophical concepts and show awareness of potential problems that lead to the revision and refinement of these concepts;
* INTERPRET complex philosophical texts;
* ANALYSE arguments in the literature and construct their own arguments with improved clarity and precision;
* WRITE well-structured and coherent essays that explain and critically assess philosophical views;
* ARTICULATE their own responses to philosophical views, support them by reasons and defend them in light of criticism;
* INTERACT effectively and respectfully with other students, listen to and learn from others.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Specified Learning Activities

52
Autonomous Student Learning

126
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will give students the opportunity to actively engage with the philosophical views discussed in the seminars and to develop their own research projects. The seminars will be discussion based and students will be asked to give a presentation on the assigned reading once during the trimester. This approach will allow students to acquire a deeper understanding of the readings and the core concepts and will provide opportunities to reflect critically upon the views we discuss. Students will be given guidance on developing their research skills and on how to select and research a philosophical topic of their choice. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL30920 - Training as a Phil Researcher1


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment(Including Essay): Short written assignment of 1000 words; draft version due in week 5; peer feedback activity in week 6; final version due in week 7. n/a Graded No

25
Participation in Learning Activities: Presentation: A short presentation on the reading, or parts of the reading for the class; the assessment will be based on a handout or slides to be submitted after the in-class presentation n/a Graded No

5
Assignment(Including Essay): Final Essay n/a Graded No

70

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, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.