Programme aims
1. To develop and acquire the productive and receptive language and study skills needed for successful participation at graduate level in a British university.
These include both linguistic and communicative competence skills; academic writing; reading efficiency; summarising, paraphrasing, quoting and referencing skills; avoiding plagiarism; the ability to work independently.
2. To develop an understanding of critical thinking, including how to construct coherent arguments and enhance reflexivity skills.
3. To provide knowledge of aspects of both analytical (or Anglo-American) and Continental (Modern European) philosophy.
4. To encourage students to identify the relevance of philosophy to other forms of enquiry (e.g. social, political, cultural, aesthetic), its interconnections with other disciplines, and its applicability to issues in public and moral life.
5. To acquire the knowledge and skills (i.e. critical, analytical, research, problem-solving and study skills; argument and communication) that will not only stand students in good stead for more specialised academic careers, but will also enhance their opportunities for employment in a wide range of other careers.
6. To develop in students the research skills appropriate to the study of philosophy, and to provide the basis for them to develop the necessary levels of skill and knowledge required to progress to Master's degree level.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Improve language accuracy and fluency to C1 level
A2: Recognise and use the appropriate lexical and discourse structures of their subject area
A3: Understand the concept and importance of critical thinking in an academic context
A4: Knowledge of philosophical texts from a variety of traditions and a variety of historical and social contexts
A5: Knowledge of some significant figures in the history of philosophy, and of some central theories, arguments and issues connected with them
Learning methods
Lectures and classes
Directed reading
Individual and group tasks
Modules are taught through lectures, classes, laboratory classes, seminar discussions, tutorials and student presentations, with both peer and tutor feedback.
Where feasible, input in the EAP modules will be based on material provided by language and content module lecturers, and some classes may be team-taught.
Knowledge of A1-A5 is acquired through lectures, classes, independent reading and coursework.
Assessment methods
Unseen written examinations, assessed essays, class tests, class assignments and presentations.
Assessment tests both basic understanding of concepts and issues and a range of approaches and interpretations.
A1-A3 outcomes are assessed via an extended project in IA933.
This is designed to examine students' ability to produce an extended piece of writing which demonstrates the ability to present a coherent argument based on a range of sources drawn from key texts in the target academic discipline.
A4-A5 are assessed by a combination of coursework essays and unseen written examinations.
Coursework tests the ability to research a topic using, for example, library and internet resources, expound specified texts and enter into detailed argumentation with them.
Unseen exams test the ability to rehearse and assess arguments in relation to specific questions posed within a limited time frame.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Use language accurately and appropriately, using a variety of lexis, grammatical structure and communication strategies
B2: Demonstrate an awareness of the language and discourse structure of their subject area
B3: Synthesise information from a variety of sources with appropriate acknowledgement and integrate this into presentations or written work
B4: Create a structured argument based on appropriate research methods
B5: Develop the ability to be reflective and independent learners
B6: Develop the ability to organise their time in an efficient and effective manner
B7: Ability to use and criticise specialised philosophical terminology
B8: Ability to summarise complex and demanding texts, often written at historical distance, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the views they propose
B9: Ability to identify underlying issues in philosophical texts, debates and arguments, and to highlight deficiencies such as unquestioned assumptions, superficial analogies and unsubstantiated claims
Learning methods
Intellectual and cognitive skills B1-B6 are practised in discussion and presentations, as well as through assessed written work.
Students are given advice in tutorials on research skills and have the opportunity to analyse model assignments.
The ability to develop a coherent argument, supported by evidence, is practised in group discussion and is also a requirement of all assessed written work.
All of these skills are taught and reinforced continually by a variety of methods - classes involving pair and group work, individual tutorials, taped lectures and student-led workshops.
Input ranges from print to audio and video materials.
Students also use interactive web-based teaching materials.
Oral presentations are video-recorded and students are given group and individual feedback, from peers and tutors.
B4-B6 are addressed explicitly in classes and included in oral or written feedback.
All skills are introduced and developed through lectures, in-class discussions, essays, and other written and oral assignments.
The teaching environment of seminars, which emphasises student-focused discussion, enables students to develop all skills through discussion and practice, and to receive feedback from peers and tutors.
Essays prepare students for exams.
As the summative assessment for any given module, the exam tests their ability both to demonstrate and to sustain their skills in controlled conditions.
Assessment methods
B1-B3 students are assessed by two end-of-module class tests on knowledge of grammatical structures, listening and note-taking, and there is also an integrated English for Academic Purposes skills class test covering reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing and academic conventions.
B1-B6 outcomes are assessed via an extended project in IA933.
This is designed to examine students' ability to produce an extended piece of writing which demonstrates the ability to present a coherent argument based on a range of sources drawn from key texts in the target academic discipline.
B7-B9 are assessed by means of continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.
Coursework consists of essays written during the academic year for a specified module, returned with a grade and written feedback for the student.
Examinations consist of essay-based questions, for which revision classes are provided.
C: Practical skills
C1: Demonstrate a range of academic skills, including effective note-taking, summarising, paraphrasing and quoting, accurate listening skills and active participation in class discussion.
C2: Identify, select and gather information using relevant sources, including the library and online searches
C3: Read and evaluate sources critically and offer views based on evidence
C4: Present an argument in oral presentations; plan, draft and revise written assignments in an appropriate style, referenced according to academic conventions
Learning methods
C1 IA 931-933: students practise these skills using audio and video materials.
They are also expected to make notes during classmates’‘ presentations.
They are then required to write up a selection of these notes at a later date, to check their accuracy and effectiveness.
The teaching materials and methodology place great emphasis on pair and group work and student participation - this is explicitly addressed in tutors’‘ reports and students are encouraged to discuss these reports in tutorials.
C2-C3 IA932, IA934: students select texts from a variety of sources for class discussion - these texts are then read for content and also evaluated for the quality and reliability of the evidence they contain and the structure of their argument.
There is also some analysis of the varying requirements of specific academic genres.
C4 IA933: preparation for project work in plenary sessions and in 1:1 tutorials and feedback on process, editing and drafting.
All of these skills are also practised both directly and indirectly in the PY modules.
Assessment methods
Assessment of IA modules is based on a mixture of oral and written assignments which test students' ability to implement these skills effectively.
In Philosophy outcomes C1-C4 are assessed through continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.
Coursework consists of essays written during the academic year for a specified module, returned with a grade and written feedback for the student.
Examinations consist of essay-based questions, for which revision classes are provided.
D: Key skills
D1: A fundamental aim of the course is effective communication in English; orally, through class participation and presentations, in writing and reading. Skills in the communication of arguments and ideas in a range of different contexts is a specific objective. Students must be able to write clear, concise structured reports or essays.
D2: An ability to perform a variety of word-processing operations and to use the Internet for research. Students use PowerPoint for presentations and communicate with tutors by email e.g. sending drafts of work as attachments. Students are also required to use Moodle. Ability to locate and use on-line catalogues.
D3: N/A
D4: An ability to identify and evaluate various source materials, to apply concepts and solve problems, and to work out objectives and priorities. Students should be able to apply knowledge and understanding in order to make judgements and offer solutions in a range of contexts.
D5: Working with others - Pair and group work are an integral part of the course, and peer evaluation is also built in. There are opportunities for group projects in some modules.
D6: Students are encouraged to keep both learner diaries and records of their own learning and to work independently. Students should have the ability to work to briefs and deadlines; take responsibility for their own work; reflect on their own learning and performance and make constructive use of feedback.
Learning methods
D1 There is a continuous emphasis on effective communication.
Awareness of audience and appropriate linguistic and discourse choices is the focus of all work, especially in writing.
D2 Students are trained in the use of PowerPoint for presentations and in using the Internet for research purposes.
D4-D6 Students are expected to work in pairs and groups on a variety of information- and opinion-gap tasks and analysis of texts.
In presentations students give and receive peer feedback, both oral and written.
Students are encouraged to reflect on their learning, especially in individual tutorials.
Reflective tasks are also part of the coursework requirement.
For Philosophy Skills D1, 2, 4 & 6 are acquired and developed through the teaching and learning methods described above, and in class discussions.
Students are encouraged to use the University key skills on-line package, word processing packages, library searches and internet philosophy resources.
Assessment methods
D1-D2 and D4-D6 are assessed as an integral part of class work and assignments in both IA and PY modules.
Students are required to word process their work and to use PowerPoint for oral presentations.
Peer evaluation and feedback are an important part of the informal assessment of students' performance.
D6: IA931-IA933 include reflective tasks within the assessed work.
For Philosophy outcomes D1,2,4 and 6 are assessed through continuous coursework and unseen written examinations.
Coursework consists of essays written during the academic year for a specified module, returned with a grade and written feedback for the student.
Examinations consist of essay-based questions, for which revision classes are provided.