(Graduate Diploma) Graduate Diploma
Philosophy
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Graduate Diploma
Full-time
Philosophy
DIPLV50009
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A 2.2 degree in a related subject, such as politics, history, literature, human rights, art, art history, law, sociology, business, management, finance, economics, marketing, advertising, media studies, and psychology.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5 except for 6.0 in writing
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Alexander Golob
Senior Lecturer
King's College London
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
1. To offer a varied and flexible and wide-ranging introductory postgraduate curriculum involving some study at undergraduate level across the philosophy curriculum, embracing both analytical (or Anglo-American) and Continental (Modern European) philosophical thought.
2. 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.
3. To develop students' capacities for independent thought and critical reflection.
4. To provide students with the skills necessary for subsequent research or further study.
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
A101: Knowledge of philosophical texts from a variety of traditions and a variety of historical and social contexts.
A102: Knowledge of significant figures in the history of philosophy, and of some central theories, arguments and issues connected with them.
A103: Knowledge of techniques of philosophical reasoning and conceptions of philosophical method, embracing diverse traditions and approaches.
A104: Knowledge of major issues currently being debated by philosophers.
Learning methods
A101-A104 are acquired through: teaching in lecture and class format; lecturers conveying module content in a general manner while allowing for, and encouraging, questions from students; classes generally focusing on specific textual, argumentative or practical examples, where emphasis is placed on student discussion.
The use of books and journal articles to convey module content.
The use of books, journal articles and internet resources to write coursework.
Assessment methods
Outcomes A101-A104 are assessed through continuous coursework.
Coursework consists of plans, essays, quizzes, commentaries, presentations and reports during the academic year for a specified module, returned with a grade and written/audio feedback for the student.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Ability to identify and evaluate complex arguments and to present one's own evaluation of them.
B2: Ability to use and criticise specialised philosophical terminology.
B3: Ability to identify underlying issues in philosophical texts, debates and arguments, and to highlight deficiencies such as unquestioned assumptions, superficial analogies and unsubstantiated claims.
B4: Ability to summarise complex and demanding texts, often written at historical distance, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the views they propose.
B5: Ability to demonstrate self direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and in commenting on complex information.
B6: Ability to plan and conduct (under the guidance of a supervisor) a piece of independent research, and to present it in a clear, coherent and argumentative manner.
Learning methods
Skills B1-B4 are obtained and developed through the teaching and learning methods described above.
Students are expected to read background material for lectures and classes, and to participate fully in class discussions.
Assessment methods
Outcomes B1-B4 are assessed through continuous coursework.
Coursework consists of plans, essays, quizzes, commentaries, presentations and reports during the academic year for a specified module, returned with a grade and written/audio feedback for the student.
C: Practical skills
C101: Ability to write a philosophical essay, expressing oneself clearly.
C102: Ability to abstract and synthesize relevant information from a range of sources, including books, journal articles, library and internet resources.
Learning methods
Skills C101-C102 are gained by participation in class discussion, discussion with the lecturer during class and office hours, independent research for and writing of coursework.
Assessment methods
Outcomes C101-C102 are assessed through continuous coursework.
Coursework consists of plans, essays, quizzes, commentaries, presentations and reports during the academic year for a specified module, returned with a grade and written/audio feedback for the student.
D: Key skills
D101: Ability to write clearly, and to communicate ideas to an audience.
D102: Use of relevant information technology to research and present written work.
D103: Not applicable
D104: Ability to identify the problem to be solved; to articulate critically the assumptions underlying or connected with the problem; to compare and contrast differing and often contradictory solutions to the problem; and to provide argument and evidence in defence of one's solution to the problem
D105: Ability to co-operate in researching and presenting philosophical ideas and texts
D106: Ability to read closely and carefully; to organize one's reading and thinking in relation to specific topics; to learn from feedback from the lecturer in the form of written comments on coursework and oral communication; and to work to deadline
Learning methods
Skills D101, 102, 104, 105 & 106 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
Outcomes D101, 102, 104, 105 &10 6 are assessed through continuous coursework.
Coursework consists of plans, essays, quizzes, commentaries, presentations and reports during the academic year for a specified module, returned with a grade and written/audio feedback for the student.