PY110-4-AU-CO:
Self and Identity

The details
2025/26
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
15
17 April 2025

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

In this module, students will explore the nature of agency, selfhood, and identity. How do our modes of practical interaction with the world and each other shape our ability to know different kinds of object, including ourselves? Is there even a self at all? Is being a self different than having an identity? How should we address such questions about selfhood and identity?


Students will read both classical and contemporary texts from a variety of philosophical traditions to think through these core philosophical questions.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To explain some of the major approaches to questions of selfhood and identity, and to theorising about such topics.

  • To analyse critically the debates surrounding them.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Articulate certain philosophical problems in the areas studied.

  2. Expound and critically evaluate some responses to these problems.

  3. Employ their powers of philosophical argument and analysis in written work.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • One 1-hour lecture per week.
  • One 1-hour class/seminar per week where issues from the lecture will be discussed in smaller groups.

There will also be a Reading Week when no teaching will take place, exact week to be confirmed.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Autumn Term Essay (1000 words)   11/12/2025  100% 
Exam  Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during January 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Irene McMullin, email: i.mcmullin@essex.ac.uk.
PHAIS General Office, Room 6.130; pyugadmin@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

Dr Josiah Saunders
Durham University
Associate Professor
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 12 hours, 10 (83.3%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)

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