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PHIL41890

Academic Year 2024/2025

Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes (PHIL41890)

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

Curricular information is subject to change.

What does it mean to be authentic? Are some desires more authentically ours than others? What is the difference between faking or lying and being sincere or true to oneself? In this module, students are introduced to new developments in the philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and cognitive science, with the goal of answering these questions. To this end, we will explore the nature of propositional attitudes (especially desires), sincere or authentic expression, and many ways in which our own inner life might be opaque to us. Thus we will also cover self-deception, implicit attitudes, and inner speech. Students will have the freedom to pursue their own projects and interests within this fairly large range of topics and questions.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

The student will be able to develop independent and well-informed arguments and theories about the topics of the module. More specifically, the student will have a robust understanding and grasp of the following research areas:

- Mental representation and propositional attitudes
- The nature of desire and belief
- Meaning, communication, and speech act theory
- The nature of sincere or authentic expression
- Implicit or unconscious attitudes, especially desires and intentions

Indicative Module Content:

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Specified Learning Activities

36

Autonomous Student Learning

140

Total

200


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is an in-person seminar-style module, with short lectures from the module coordinator and presentations from students and organised discussions of relevant topics.

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
Individual Project: In-class presentation and discussion. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
40
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay draft, which will receive feedback from instructor and form the basis of the final essay (1500 words). Week 7, Week 8 Graded No
20
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Final essay (4000 words) Week 14 Graded No
40
No

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

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.
Autumn Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 14:00 - 15:50