Explore UCD

UCD Home >

PHIL41350

Academic Year 2025/2026

Metaphysics (Level 4) (PHIL41350)

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

Curricular information is subject to change.

This seminar will discuss a fundamental topic or topics in Metaphysics through the close analysis of texts and arguments, either from the history of philosophy or in more recent philosophy or both. Specific topics to be explored for this coming year will be updated closer to the beginning of the semester. UPDATE: This year this module explores whether metaphysical questions and methods can be meaningfully applied to the social world. We will critically examine the nature and status of social metaphysics, addressing whether it qualifies as genuine metaphysics and how it accounts for socially constructed phenomena. Key topics include the metaphysics of social categories, race, gender, intersectionality, pregnancy, and sexual orientation. Drawing on feminist and anti-racist philosophy, analytic metaphysics, and contemporary social ontology, we will investigate the conceptual challenges and practical implications of theorising about social kinds to illuminate, critique, and deepen our understanding of the social structures that shape lived experience.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students will gain a good understanding of some perennial issues metaphysics, in this case particular as applied to social realities. There will be a particular focus on the close reading and careful analysis of original texts and articles.

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

24

Autonomous Student Learning

226

Total

250


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This seminar will involve close reading, discussion, and analysis of selected key texts, arguments, and concepts in metaphysics, in this case (Spring 2026), Social Metaphysics. The writing of excellent evidence-based and scholarly research essays (in effect, articles of one's own) will be a primary focus in learning the practice of philosophy.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Final research essay. Week 14 Graded No
65
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Mid-term essay Week 8 Graded No
35
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

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

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 16:00 - 17:50