(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Continental Philosophy (Including Foundation Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Essex Pathways
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Philosophy
BA V531
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
UK and EU applicants:
All applications for degree courses with a foundation year (Year Zero) will be considered individually, whether you
- think you might not have the grades to enter the first year of a degree course;
- have non-traditional qualifications or experience (e.g. you haven’t studied A-levels or a BTEC);
- are returning to university after some time away from education; or
- are looking for more support during the transition into university study.
Standard offer:
Our standard offer is 72 UCAS tariff points from at least two full A-levels, or equivalent.
Examples of the above tariff may include:
- A-levels: DDD
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMP
- T-levels: Pass with E in core
If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria, please get in touch for advice.
Mature applicants and non-traditional academic backgrounds:
We welcome applications from mature students (over 21) and students with non-traditional academic backgrounds (might not have gone on from school to take level 3 qualifications). We will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference, to gain a rounded view of your suitability for the course.
International applicants:
Essex Pathways Department is unable to accept applications from international students. Foundation pathways for international students are available at the University of Essex International College and are delivered and awarded by Kaplan, in partnership with the University of Essex. Successful completion will enable you to progress to the relevant degree course at the University of Essex.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 5.5 overall. Specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels required. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
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
Our Year 0 courses are only open to UK and EU applicants. If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to your chosen degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College.
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 Josiah Saunders
Associate Professor
Durham University
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
- The BA Continental Philosophy familiarises students with areas of philosophy that are associated with Continental Philosophy: Existentialism (e.g., Kierkegaard, Nietzsche); Phenomenology (e.g., Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty), Critical Theory (e.g., Marx or Frankfurt School theorists like Adorno, Habermas, Honneth), German Idealism (e.g., Kant and Hegel), and Contemporary French Thought (e.g., Foucault, Derrida, Rancière).
- Students will learn how to conduct their own research in the areas of Continental Philosophy in which they are taught. In doing so, they will examine aspects of lived experience and everyday existential, social and political problems.
- Students will learn the philosophical research methods that underpin Existentialism and Phenomenology, Critical Theory, German Idealism, and Contemporary French Thought and the skills necessary to understand and analyse aspects of lived experience and everyday existential, social and political problems.
- To develop students’ capacities for independent thought and critical reflection. To prepare students to develop creative solutions to everyday existential, social and political challenges that are informed by the methods and insights of the Continental tradition.
- To develop in students a range of transferable skills including problem solving, source analysis, methodological and interdisciplinary thinking, presentation skills and IT skills.
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: Demonstrate substantial knowledge and understanding of some areas of Continental Philosophy, e.g., Existentialism and Phenomenology, Critical Theory, German Idealism, and Contemporary French Thought.
A2: Demonstrate that they can draw on these traditions of thought to make sense of lived experience and shed light on everyday existential, social and political problems.
A3: Demonstrate understanding of everyday existential, social and political problems and how to respond to them sensitively.
A4: Demonstrate the ability to apply the research methods associated with the continental tradition to address complex existential, social and political problems.
A5: Demonstrate a more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a selected topic or research area.
Learning methods
Seminars (involving a diverse range of teaching methods), lectures (with accompanying teaching materials), and dissertation support learning outcomes A1-A4.
Individual supervisions and feedback on essay projects support learning outcome A5.
The different ways of engaging with the material, coupled with the relatively small size of the classes, will ensure that all students are able to engage with the course in a manner appropriate to each of them.
Assessment methods
Assessments are set every year by module leaders. We ensure that every module has a participation and a scaffolding element. Typical assessments are essay plans, essays, presentations, critical reflections, in class reading quizzes, individual supervisions, which all support learning Outcomes A1-A5.
For each assessment adjustments can be made to reflect special circumstances, as appropriate.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Ability to apply methods from the continental tradition and other traditions in philosophy to analyse existential, social and political problems.
B2: Ability to assemble information from a variety of sources, and to evaluate the merits of conflicting arguments and scholarship in the field.
B3: Ability to deal with complex issues both systematically, methodologically, and creatively, make sound evaluations, communicate outcomes clearly.
B4: Ability to plan and conduct independent research with guidance from a supervisor and to present it in a coherent manner.
Learning methods
Intellectual/cognitive skills B1-B4 are obtained through seminars, where there is an emphasis on group discussion, group work, and critical problem-solving.
All skills are further developed by essay plans, presentations, essays, and other forms of coursework. Skill B4 is fostered in particular through the essay plans and their execution.
The different ways of engaging with the material, coupled with the relatively small size of the classes, will ensure that all students are able to engage with the course in a manner appropriate to each of them.
Assessment methods
B1-B4 are assessed through assessments that are set and revised (in light of feedback and the latest educational strategy) every year by module leaders. We ensure that every module has a participation and a scaffolding element. Typical assessments are essay plans, essays, presentations, critical reflections, and in-class reading quizzes. All students have weekly access to individual supervisions.
For each assessment adjustments can be made to reflect special circumstances, as appropriate.
C: Practical skills
C1: Ability to identify, select and retrieve a range of primary source material, and/or relevant theoretical and methodological materials.
C2: Ability to design, use and reflect on various research/study techniques.
C3: Ability to compose bibliographies, using relevant reference systems according to established conventions.
C4: Ability to plan, manage, and complete a work of independent study.
Learning methods
Skills C1-C4 are developed through seminar discussion and group work, research for essays, presentations and other written work, and through feedback and discussions with module tutors.
The different ways of engaging with the material, coupled with the relatively small size of the classes, will ensure that all students are able to engage with the course in a manner appropriate to each of them.
Assessment methods
Skills C1-C4 are assessed through essays and other coursework, as well as the dissertation.
For each assessment adjustments can be made to reflect special circumstances.
D: Key skills
D1: Ability to present ideas, arguments, and evidence, in a clear, concise and accessible manner, to others both orally and in writing.
D2: Ability to collect and present (and visualise) information using information technology (such as Word and Power Point).
D3: Not applicable.
D4: Ability to identify relevant questions and challenges and apply relevant research methodologies and techniques address them systematically and creatively.
D5: Ability to reflect on their own contributions to group work and to respond constructively to the comments of others.
D6: Ability to reflect on their own learning, to seek and make use of feedback on their own performance, to recognise when further knowledge is required and to undertake the necessary research.
Learning methods
Key skills D1-D6 are acquired through seminars and individual supervisions where students debate methodologies and challenges, as well as through the essays and dissertation.
Skill D2 can also be obtained through the University's Academic Skills Online course at:
https://moodle.essex.ac.uk/enrol/index.php?id=5143
The different ways of developing skills, coupled with the relatively small size of the classes, will ensure that all students are able to engage with the course in a manner appropriate to each of them.
Assessment methods
Key skills D1-D6 are assessed throughout the degree through continuous assessed coursework. The BA capstone research project is an overall assessment of all skills, namely communication, research management, problem solving skills and improving learning and performance.
For each assessment adjustments can be made to reflect special circumstances, as appropriate.