Philosophy

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Academic Year of Entry: 2024/25
Course overview
(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
08/05/2024

Details

Professional accreditation

None

Admission criteria

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code


If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.

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.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

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

Staff photo
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.

eNROL, the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 27 January 2025 8:59AM, for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Key

Core You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Compulsory with Options You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Optional You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.

Year 1 - 2024/25

Exit Award Status
Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Credits PG Diploma PG Certificate
01 PY455-6-SU-CO Philosophy Capstone Module Compulsory 30 Compulsory Compulsory
02 Philosophy option(s) from list Optional 60 Optional Optional
03 Philosophy option(s) from list Optional 30 Optional Optional

Exit awards

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

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.


Note

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Contact

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.