Wittgenstein

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• defend your views with cogent arguments, taking into account possible criticisms.
• to interpret, synthesise and criticise complex texts and positions.
• present and debate ideas, both orally and in writing, in an open-minded but rigorous way.

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• the development of Wittgenstein’s philosophy and the relationship of the issues he discusses to other areas of philosophy.
• the main themes of Wittgenstein’s writings in his key writings and the issues he addresses.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• take notes effectively from talks and written materials.
• extract key information from difficult texts.
• undertake, with appropriate supervision, independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.
• work effectively to deadlines.

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

• The nature of philosophical inquiry
• The limitations of philosophical and logical analysis
• The method of language-games
• The attack on `the Augustinian picture of language’
• Rule-following
• Private languages
• Intentionality
• Seeing aspects
• Scepticism

Teaching methods include:

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

Learning activities include:

• Attending lectures
• Participating in class discussion
• Doing research for and completing assessment tasks

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 on the essay draft. Students have the opportunity to receive further verbal feedback by consultation with the module coordinator.
• 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.