Epistemology: Knowledge and Evidence

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• interpret, synthesise and criticise complex texts and positions.
• articulate and defend your own views regarding the issues the module concerns.
• present and debate philosophical ideas in writing, in an open minded and rigorous way.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• relate the issues the module concerns with those in other areas of philosophy, including the history of philosophy
• the arguments for and against these views.
• some of the central views in epistemology.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• undertake, with adequate supervision, independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.
• take notes from talks and written materials.
• work effectively to deadlines.

The syllabus may vary from year to year. Topics might include:

• Central sceptical problems and proposed solutions
• The analysis of knowledge
• The nature of justified belief
• The value of knowledge.
• Social epistemology

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• In-class discussion
• One to one consultation with the module coordinator

Learning activities include

• Attending classes
• Contributing to class discussion
• Doing independent research for and writing assessed work

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Essay proposal

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Students will receive written feedback. Students have the opportunity to receive further feedback from the module co-ordinator on any aspect of their performance during office hours or by appointment.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No
• Percentage contribution: 100%

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.