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PHIL40970

Academic Year 2026/2027

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 Wischmann Wilson
Trimester:
Autumn
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 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. 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 in the module will vary from year to year, but will typically include one or more of the following:

• The nature of mental representation
• Consciousness and the subjective character of experience
• The links between perception, action and/or cognition
• The role of attention in perception and action
• Memory, reason, and rational deliberation
• Embodied or sensorimotor approaches to cognition
• Bayesian or predictive theories of the mind

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

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. Students are not permitted to use generative Al in written assignments, which must be all their own work, and must observe UCD’s Academic Integrity Policy.

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 Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): 2,000-word essay Week 7 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 2,500-word essay Week 14 Graded No
60
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


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.

Name Role
Dr Meredith Plug Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 13:00 - 14:50
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