BA Philosophy and International Relations

Title:

Introduction to Contemporary Democracy

Code:

PO1ICD

Convenor:

DR Matthias Kronke

Summary:

The module is intended to open students’ eyes to how democracy works or does not work around the world today. The first section on the Origins of Democracy looks globally at where democratic and non-democratic systems exist and what factors determine this distribution. We then look at the Arab Spring, varieties of political systems and electoral systems, political parties and voting in the following sections. Finally, we cover interest organisations and referendums. The examples and evidence are based on the UK, but also include comparisons beyond the UK where appropriate.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introduction to Political Ideas

Code:

PO1IPI

Convenor:

DR Cat Wayland

Summary:

An introduction to political theory, covering central topics like the state and its authority, democracy, rights and liberty, equality and social justice, and war and intervention, as well as some of the basic methods for understanding them all. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International Relations

Code:

PO1IRE

Convenor:

MR Tarsis Sepulveda Coelho Brito Filho

Summary:

This module introduces students to the academic study of international relations. It examines some of the principal contending theories that inform how academics think about world politics and surveys some of the key dimensions on which international relations have unfolded historically. It aims to provide students with the theoretical and conceptual vocabulary required to understand and think critically about contemporary international relations and to enable students to locate contemporary developments in a historical context and to comment on them in an informed fashion. It thereby provides the underpinnings for more advanced study of a range of more specialised topics in international relations. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Politics of Climate Change

Code:

PO1PCC

Convenor:

PROF David Marshall

Summary:

Climate change is the defining issue of this century with a range of severe consequences predicted. This module introduces students to important political challenges and debates on climate change, analysing how and why decisions are made as well as the consequences and  underlying ethical issues. The module is designed and taught in such a way as to reflect the importance and relevance of climate change across the wider discipline of political science, which includes comparative politics, international relations and political theory. This will be achieved through analysing climate change across a number of interconnected settings, including conflict, international negotiations, climate justice, public opinion, party politics and the making of government policy. At the end of the course students will have developed a clear understanding of the politics and contested nature of sustainable climate solutions.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 35%, Practical 20%, Report 45%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

War and Warfare

Code:

PO1WAR

Convenor:

DR Ben Willis

Summary:

What is war? How do we classify war? What causes war? How are wars fought? What kinds of warfare can we identify and how have these changed throughout history? How do we make sense, theoretically and empirically, of the growing spectrum of contemporary war - including, but not limited to, great power war, nuclear inter-state war, civil wars, hybrid/cyber/proxy/grey zone warfare? This is an introductory module for students seeking foundational knowledge of war in international relations. The emphasis is on concepts and types of war, their causes, and how they relate to real world issues in international relations and international security. By thinking through and examining a subset of wars and types of warfare the ultimate objective is to have students embrace a range of theoretical arguments about both historical and contemporary examples, to apply these insights to current debates about war in international relations and to prepare students for future scholarly research and security/strategy-focused analysis.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Great Works in Philosophy

Code:

PP1GW

Convenor:

DR Richard Elliott

Summary:

In this module, we will delve into some of the most important works in Philosophy. You will learn about the significance of each text and analyse the arguments within them. This is your chance to sharpen your critical skills and become an expert in the field. 

At university, you are on a journey to overcome progressively challenging intellectual obstacles, and this module provides you with important knowledge of philosophical texts and skills to do so. By broadening your understanding and exploring foundational issues across different topics in philosophy, you will be building the skills you need to succeed in your studies and beyond. 

By the end of this module, you will have developed important reflective and critical thinking skills that will serve you well not just in your other classes, but in your future endeavours. So, get ready to think deeply, analyse thoroughly, and unlock the secrets of some of the greatest works in philosophy! 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Reason and Argument

Code:

PP1RA

Convenor:

MR Ronan O Maonaile

Summary:

This module enhances students’ ability to understand and construct complex arguments through the study of logic and the psychology of human reasoning. Reading: A module guide will be available. Recommended: Jamie Carlin Watson and Robert Arp, Critical Thinking: An Introduction to Reasoning Well, 2nd edition, Bloomsbury, 2015.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 90%, Class test 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

British Society

Code:

PO1BRI

Convenor:

DR Dawn Clarke

Summary:

The module draws on theories and approaches from Politics, Sociology, Psychology, History and Philosophy to consider some of the main contours of contemporary British Society. The module will explore a number of images of Britain including: Britain as a Welfare State, Multicultural Britain and Britain as a Class Society. It will also explore crime and deviance in Britain, the role of the mass media and the increasing power of the food industry. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

War and Warfare

Code:

PO1WAR

Convenor:

DR Ben Willis

Summary:

What is war? How do we classify war? What causes war? How are wars fought? What kinds of warfare can we identify and how have these changed throughout history? How do we make sense, theoretically and empirically, of the growing spectrum of contemporary war - including, but not limited to, great power war, nuclear inter-state war, civil wars, hybrid/cyber/proxy/grey zone warfare? This is an introductory module for students seeking foundational knowledge of war in international relations. The emphasis is on concepts and types of war, their causes, and how they relate to real world issues in international relations and international security. By thinking through and examining a subset of wars and types of warfare the ultimate objective is to have students embrace a range of theoretical arguments about both historical and contemporary examples, to apply these insights to current debates about war in international relations and to prepare students for future scholarly research and security/strategy-focused analysis.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Global Justice

Code:

PP1GJ

Convenor:

DR Michela Bariselli

Summary:

Global traditions of philosophy  from the Buddha and Confucius to Simone Weil, Frantz Fanon, Martin Luther King Jr., and African and Native American thinkers advocate ideas of justice and freedom that extend far beyond contemporary conceptions. This course shows how these thinkers question our  ideas of justice, and  transform how we approach injustice and freedom in the  context of race and colonialism, nature and  indigenous communities, identity  and sexuality, family and polity, through radically different conceptions of freedom and violence,  love, equality and harmony.

Some of the claims we will examine include: Justice is freedom from suffering!  Revolutionary violence is cathartic and emancipatory! Political justice  requires mental training! Nature is alive and has rights! Gender and sexual freedom are gained by  dissolving bodily boundaries!  Truth lies in pleasure! Justice is  love! Social justice comes with harmonising differences! 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 90%, Class test 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

The Meaning of Life

Code:

PP1ML

Convenor:

DR Richard Elliott

Summary:

What is the meaning of life? This is perhaps the most important philosophical question we can ask. What is the answer? Indeed, what is the question really asking? In this module, we seek the answers. Along the way, we will consider a series of fascinating questions which promise to enlighten our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. What makes life worth living? Is there any reason to fear death? Could life in artificial reality be better or more fulfilling than life in the real world?

Reading:

A list of required readings will be posted online. All or nearly all core readings are available electronically.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 90%, Class test 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Mind and World

Code:

PP1MW

Convenor:

DR Richard Elliott

Summary:

We take it for granted that minds are in the world, that thinking subjects are able to think and speak about the environment in which they are placed. But to ask how this is possible is to raise some of the deepest and most significant questions in philosophy. This course examines these questions via engagement with some of the principal participants in the debate: Descartes, Marx and Heidegger. The topics spread across metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind and philosophy of language.PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to continue with Philosophy as part of your degree beyond Part 1, you MUST take the compulsory module PP1RA Reason & Argument, plus at least one other Philosophy Part 1 module.Reading for Mind & World:• Study Guide (available online).Pre-arrival reading (please note that pre-arrival reading is optional):• Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy

Assessment Method:

Exam 70% Coursework 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Radical Philosophy

Code:

PP1RP

Convenor:

PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford

Summary:

From Plato and Marx to contemporaries like Judith Butler, Slavoj Zizek, and Catharine MacKinnon, there is a long tradition of radicalism in philosophy. This course is about how radical philosophy can usefully question our deepest assumptions and challenge our deepest beliefs. Poets should be outlawed from our society! We can secure knowledge by doubting everything! Capitalism will be destroyed by the very forces it creates! Gender is a social performance! Pornography silences women! Torture is permissible in extreme circumstances, e.g. post 9/11! These are some of the claims this course investigates philosophically.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 90%, Class test 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome

Code:

AR1EMP

Convenor:

DR Amy Richardson

Summary:

This module introduces the archaeology and historical context of the world’s early empires, dating from 2500 BC to AD 395. We focus on the great empires of ancient Mesopotamia (Akkad, Babylonia and Assyria), Egypt, the Persian Achaemenid Empire and the Roman Empire. We will review other imperial entities of the world, including examples from China and the Far East, and the Americas. We will examine special themes relevant to the topic of empires, including ideology, imperial cult, trade, urbanisation, warfare, agriculture and the everyday lives of imperial subjects. You will study the rise and fall of some of the greatest, and the most fearsome, socio-political entities to have existed on our planet.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 70%, Practical 10%, Report 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death

Code:

AR1FOR

Convenor:

DR Gundula Müldner

Summary:

This module investigates the archaeological methods employed in the scientific study of the dead, both from modern crime scenes and within older archaeological contexts. You will have the opportunity to analyse skeletal remains, and carry out fieldwork in the form of a cemetery survey, learning how to analyse and interpret these results. Through a series of case studies, you will explore the role of forensic archaeologists and anthropologists (working within the context of the ethics, law and politics) behind the examination of human remains.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Report 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day

Code:

AR1RAT

Convenor:

PROF Gabor Thomas

Summary:

This module investigates the development of human society from a long-term and global perspective. It traces the human journey from our earliest ancestors of c. 6 million years ago to the present day. The module considers the key revolutions and transitions that have affected human thought, behaviour and society, focussing on the evidence from material culture. Key themes include human evolution, the development of complex societies, the inventions of metallurgy and writing, the industrial and agricultural revolutions, and globalisation. The module is taught by a combination of online lectures, face-to-face seminars and lectures, and practical classes.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology

Code:

AR1SOC

Convenor:

DR Alanna Cant

Summary:

This module provides a general introduction to social anthropology, the study of human societies and cultures. It will introduce you to major themes in the discipline of anthropology through focused study on topics that may include: kinship and marriage, gender and sexuality, the roles of religion, ritual and witchcraft in modern life, the concepts of ethnicity and race, and contemporary hunting and gathering societies. The module will also consider how anthropology can help us understand key issues in today’s world, such as ethnicity, race and decolonisation, and the role that work and consumption play in forming identities. Teaching is focused on real-world case studies from different cultures and regions around the globe, including the research expertise of the lecturer(s). 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 70%, Set exercise 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Ancient Song

Code:

CL1SO

Convenor:

DR Doukissa Kamini

Summary:

This module introduces students to the lyric poetry of ancient Greece and Rome, studying authors from both civilisations and considering a range of thematic approaches to the surviving corpus of poetry. It is intended to be suitable for beginners and for those who have studied some ancient literature before; there is no language requirement, but there will be an opportunity for students who do have relevant skills to employ them in their coursework and exams.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Texts, Readers, and Writers

Code:

CL1TR

Convenor:

DR Andreas Gavrielatos

Summary:

This module explores the history of texts, reading, and writing in the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. We shall look at literature, papyri, inscriptions, letters, Linear B, etc. Attention will also be given to the invention of the alphabet and to ancient writing materials and technologies. No knowledge of Latin, ancient Greek, or the ancient world more generally is required.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 40%, Oral 50%, Set exercise 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Approaches to Film

Code:

FT1ATF

Convenor:

DR Tonia Kazakopoulou

Summary:

How do films tell stories, make meanings, and contribute to our culture? What questions can, and should, we ask of a film?

This module includes a mix of cinema screenings, seminars and lectures, exploring a range of fiction and non-fiction films. Class discussions and assignments will challenge you to explore the meanings and cultural significance of moving images, across the 20th and 21st centuries.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Analysing Theatre and Performance

Code:

FT1ATP

Convenor:

DR Lisa Woynarski

Summary:

How do theatrical stories allow us to examine and reimagine our impression of the world today?  What practical qualities do theatre makers return to - or reinvent - in creating meaning in performance?

In this introduction to theatre and performance, you will share your interpretations and expand the ways you see and think about theatre in relation to the world today. You will learn how to be a confident spectator and reader of theatre through a range of diverse and topical performances in local or in London-based venues - previous trips have included the National Theatre, RSC Live, Peking Opera, the West End and smaller, innovative fringe venues.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 70%, Oral 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation

Code:

FT1WD

Convenor:

DR David Foster

Summary:

This module gives you the opportunity to study wildlife documentaries, and filmmaking addressing ecological issues. You will engage with the relevant critical vocabulary and contextual knowledge to explore how meanings on screen are made. Case studies may include David Attenborough’s landmark BBC series, nature documentaries such as March of the Penguins, and climate change films such as An Inconvenient Truth. There may be a Q&A with a guest speaker from the creative industries. 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 60%, Oral 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Intercultural Competence and Communication

Code:

IL1GICC

Convenor:

PROF Daniela Standen

Summary:

In this module students develop the skills and understanding needed for communicating effectively in a multi-cultural global environment, including the university and the workplace.  Intercultural competence and communication will be considered from a range of disciplinary perspectives, including Language Education, Film, and Curriculum. During the course of the module you will tackle questions such as: How do you work successfully in multicultural Teams? Are nationality and identity the same thing? Why do stereotypes exist?

Students will demonstrate their learning through reflections and by defining and explaining a real-world situation. The module will be delivered at the University of Reading Whiteknights campus.

Assessment Method:

Oral 10%, Portfolio 30%, Project 60%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

English Language and Society

Code:

LS1ELS

Convenor:

DR Christiana Themistocleous

Summary:

The course aims to provide a broad introduction to English Language and Society, and a basis for further in-depth study of the field in parts two and three of the degree in English Language and Linguistics.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Globalization and Language

Code:

LS1GL

Convenor:

DR Tony Capstick

Summary:

In this module students will explore the role of language in globalization. They will examine the reasons for the spread of languages around the globe historically and in the future (especially in the context of political developments such as Brexit, and the increasing importance of World languages such as English). They will also explore debates about linguistic imperialism and the political dimensions of language use and language policies. Finally, they will explore the effects of technology and migration on the linguistic situation in Latin America, New Zealand and the Middle East, including how urban centers are becoming increasingly multilingual and ‘superdiverse’, and the political and social consequences of this. Teaching is drawn from across the School of Literature and Language.

Assessment Method:

Set exercise 10%, Project 90%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introduction to Psychology

Code:

PY1IPY

Convenor:

DR Emily Meachon

Summary:

This module is delivered at the University of Reading, for students who are interested in but not studying Psychology.  

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Report 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Global Order

Code:

PO2GLO

Convenor:

DR Derek Bolton

Summary:

Who rules the world? This question is of particular importance when many around the globe are concerned about the fate of the 'rules-based international order' or the 'liberal international order' in the face of multiple challenges to the way international politics works.  In this module, students will find out what international order is, how orders function, and develop a sense of the variety of different ways that relations among political communities can be, and have been, organized. Students will discover the key dilemmas and trade-offs which characterize contemporary international relations and think about how contemporary problems can best be addressed.  

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

The Study of Politics

Code:

PO2SOP

Convenor:

DR Alice Baderin

Summary:

This module examines a range of different methods to understand, explain and analyse politics and international relations. It focuses on giving students the ability to identify different methods and approaches in Politics and International Relations, and the different questions which they may be appropriately used to answer. The module covers qualitative methods (such as case studies and interviews), quantitative methods (data analysis and basic statistics), and methods of Political Theory (including normative/evaluative approaches). In doing so, it prepares students for more advanced study in Politics and International Relations, including but not limited to an undergraduate dissertation in Politics and International Relations.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 60%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Advanced Degree Competencies

Code:

PO2ADC

Convenor:

DR Amanda Hall

Summary:

This module will provide students with the skills and understanding necessary to perform well at Part 2 and beyond.  It will introduce the academic expectations associated with more advanced study, identify common challenges and suggest strategies for overcoming them, present key sources of support, and facilitate the development of advanced study skills.  It will also enhance students’ understanding of how the skills they will develop in Parts 2 and 3 will transfer into the world of work and help them to reflect on their career goals and identify what steps they might take at this stage in order to achieve those goals.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

American Government and Politics

Code:

PO2AMG

Convenor:

DR Derek Bolton

Summary:

This module examines the historical, ideological and constitutional frameworks of American Government and Politics. It analyses the relationship between ideas and values (such as liberty and individualism) and the ways in which these condition the expression of the American political system; it looks at intermediate institutions that connect the public to the federal government (such as elections, the media, and interest groups); it explores the central institutions in Washington (such as the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court), and assesses important policy areas (such as gun control).

Assessment Method:

Assignment 70%, Report 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

British Government and Politics

Code:

PO2BGP

Convenor:

MR Lawrence McKay

Summary:

This module focuses on contemporary British politics (from circa 1997). In the module we focus on topics of real-world importance. For instance, we will seek to understand recent election outcomes, analyse the causes of the Brexit vote, discuss the relationship between the devolved nations and have debates on the power of the U.K. Supreme Court. Students will also gain a thorough understanding of the workings of parliament and government. Throughout the module students will develop and refine their writing and debating skills, as well as their ability to interpret visual data.  As part of the module students conduct a 2-week placement.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 35%, Oral 15%, Report 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Comparative Government and Politics

Code:

PO2CGP

Convenor:

DR Victor Araujo Silva

Summary:

This module introduces students to the discipline of Comparative Politics. It examines the origins of political systems, regime formation and processes of a range of states from all regions of the world from a comparative perspective. Studying this module will give students a good understanding of comparative methods and research design; the ability to comparatively analyse the development of state formation and democratization processes around the world; and the tools to nuance, unpack and conceptualize some of the contemporary challenges that democratic nation- states face. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 40%, Assignment 30%, Oral 10%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Contemporary Strategy

Code:

PO2COS

Convenor:

DR Ben Willis

Summary:

This module is an introduction to the concept of strategy and its relationship with war and politics. It addresses the demands and challenges of strategic and security analysis in the modern period from a theoretical and practical standpoint. After exploring the theoretical foundation of strategy, we will look at some examples. This module will introduce you to a series of contemporary problems and how they stand in the field of modern strategy.  Aside from asking the question “What can military force do for you?”, the module asks, “Why is strategy so difficult?”

The module includes voluntary attendance at the British Army Combat Power Demonstration in the Autumn Term of 2022. This may change subject to restrictions.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 40%, Oral 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Negotiating Peace

Code:

PO2NEP

Convenor:

DR Harmonie Toros

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Political Classics

Code:

PO2PHC

Convenor:

PROF Alan Cromartie

Summary:

A survey course in the history of political thought.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Political Thinking

Code:

PO2THI

Convenor:

DR Cat Wayland

Summary:

Module in applied political theory. The course investigates the ethical issues that lie behind some important contemporary policy debates. 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

War and Peace Since 1800

Code:

PO2WAP

Convenor:

DR Samuel Seitz

Summary:

This module aims to enable students to appreciate both the roles played by war in modern history and the ways in which warfare has evolved over a two-hundred year period. The strongly empirical, historical thrust of the module will be used to introduce students to the ideas key to understanding (a) why, how, and with what consequences wars occur, and (b) how peace can be "caused" and sometimes maintained.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Assignment 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

War, Peace and International Ethics

Code:

PO2WPE

Convenor:

DR Rob Jubb

Summary:

War and the threat of war continue to be central to political experience. This module examines the ethical questions involved in war, using both real-world case studies and philosophical thought-experiments. We ask if it is ever morally permissible to wage war, and if so, for what reasons, and with what limitations. Issues discussed include humanitarian intervention, the role of individual and collective self-defence, civilian immunity, terrorism, torture, and the punishment of war crimes. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Work Placement and Project

Code:

PO2WPP

Convenor:

MR Lawrence McKay

Summary:

This module gives students an opportunity to do a work placement or an internship with an external organisation broadly related to the general sphere of their degree studies. Based on the work experience gained, the student will deliver an oral presentation directly based on the experiences of the placement including findings from  a project undertaken within the placement which develops their capacity for independent, critical research in a specialised domain.

Assessment Method:

Oral 30%, Project 70%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Aesthetics

Code:

PP2AE

Convenor:

PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford

Summary:

This module explores central topics in philosophical aesthetics, such as: beauty, definitions of art, aesthetic value, formalism, expression of emotion in music, authors’ intentions, truth in literature, the paradox of tragedy, pictorial representation.  Its aim is to enable students to develop a critical understanding of the philosophical problems raised by art and aesthetic experience. Furthermore, it should enable students to analyse and evaluate various philosophical accounts of art and aesthetics.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Ethical Argument

Code:

PP2EA

Convenor:

MR Ronan O Maonaile

Summary:

This module introduces students to longstanding methods, issues and arguments in moral philosophy: topics might include whether it’s morally wrong for us not to give nearly all of our money to Oxfam, whether morality is a fiction, and how utilitarianism might be ‘proved’. The focus is on classic arguments for conclusions like these.

In this module you will learn how to argue about these questions in a charitable but critical way—this balance is essential for doing philosophy—and to contribute to the ongoing philosophical discussion.

Philosophy at Reading introduces you to progressive intellectual challenges and to consolidate your previous experience at each new level. In Pt.1, you will have received training in how to reason (in PP1RA: Reason & Argument) and in ethical questions concerning (in PP1ML: The Meaning of Life). In this module, you will build on that knowledge and skills base by applying it to distinctively ethical questions. This will prepare you for Pt.3, where you can further develop your argumentative skills and knowledge of moral philosophy in an independent way, for example through a dissertation or in research-led modules which focus on cutting-edge issues.

In engaging with these arguments through formative and summative assessment—for example, through essays, short pieces of writing, and oral presentations—you will contribute to the philosophical debates, develop your transferable skills, and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of arguments on both sides. Because the module spans topics ranging from abstract issues about the nature of moral judgement, to urgent practical questions, you will learn about the diverse methods employed in different areas of ethics.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Feminist Philosophy

Code:

PP2FEM

Convenor:

DR Luke Elson

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Global Philosophies

Code:

PP2GP

Convenor:

DR Michela Bariselli

Summary:

This module will engage in a cross-cultural discussion of issues of global relevance related to gender, race, social identities, as well as to the ethics of voluntary dying. You will be introduced to a variety of conceptions of personal and social identities, including Buddhist conceptions, Jaina conceptions, African-American critical theories, performative theories, and phenomenological theories. You will learn to critically assess these conceptions, and to apply them to discussions on the nature of gender and race, and on whether race and gender categories could be empowering or are doomed to be oppressive. You will learn how different conceptions of identities are linked to different conceptions of freedom and death, and how these conceptions affect the ethics of different practices of voluntary dying (such as euthanasia, suicide, self-immolation).

This module provides with skills that are essential in a cosmopolitan society: it promotes your ability to engage with pressing contemporary and sensitive issues by taking in account the philosophical perspective of a variety of cultures and religions, and diverse gender and racial groups.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism

Code:

PP2IDR

Convenor:

DR Richard Elliott

Summary:

This module investigates knowledge – a concept that is at the same time essential and also deeply puzzling. It is something that we appeal to all the time in day-to-day life, and yet the task of trying to say what it is proves surprisingly difficult. This module draws upon the variety of approaches to knowledge that we find in contemporary epistemology. We focus not only on the project of attempting to say what knowledge is, but we also investigate its social role. In doing so, we will begin to ask not only what do we think knowledge is, but what do we want our theory of knowledge to do? And what special role does philosophy have in this task? Is philosophy alone in this task or does it work alongside related disciplines, such as psychology or linguistics?

We will cover a broad range of views on this course. We will learn about modal theories of knowledge, reliabilist theories, virtue theories, and contextualist theories. We will explore famous philosophical puzzles such as the Gettier problem, the problem(s) of scepticism, and the lottery problem. And we will draw upon famous works from the likes of Ernest Sosa, Alvin Goldman, David Lewis, Edward Craig, and Miranda Fricker.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Meaning and the Mind

Code:

PP2MM

Convenor:

MR Ronan O Maonaile

Summary:

How does something (like a human or an animal) have a mind? How does something (like a sentence or a thought) have meaning? Does answering one of these questions require that we answer the other? After all, at least some mental states appear to be identified by what they mean. In this module, the student will be introduced to some of the core philosophical issues in the philosophy of language and the philosophy of mind. In doing so, we will consider questions such as:

• How can there be minds in a physical world?
• How does a mental state (like a memory or a perceptual experience) come to represent the world?
• What role does consciousness play in the mind?

We will investigate these questions by reading and discussing a range of philosophical texts, including works by the likes of Gottlob Frege, Saul Kripke, Hilary Putnam, Frank Jackson, and Jaegwon Kim.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy

Code:

PP2OID

Convenor:

MR Ronan O Maonaile

Summary:

In this wide-ranging module, with an emphasis on contemporary political philosophy, we will explore some of the most important concerns for society. We will ask questions such as: Do existing accounts of justice need to be amended to acknowledge, explicitly, the concerns arising from race, gender, and disability? How should political philosophy respond to intersecting oppressions? What aspects of modern life threaten democracy? What is the best method by which to develop theories of justice? Is justice a local or global concern? How should we balance loyalty to our own state with concerns for global justice? 

This module will: 

• Enhance your ability to think reflectively and critically about the role of fairness in society. 
• Build upon your previous experience and independent-learning skills through a graduated and supervised programme of study in philosophy by conducting targeted research for written and oral assessment. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Philosophy through the Ages: the Minds that Shaped our World

Code:

PP2PTA

Convenor:

DR Richard Elliott

Summary:

From the pre-Socratics in the sixth century BC to the end of the twentieth, the history of philosophy spans a wide and diverse range of ideas and theories about the deepest problems of human existence. Nothing surpasses a close study of a classic text when getting to know a philosopher and their ideas. We will engage in a careful reading of several classic texts that mark key points in the history of philosophy such as: the pre-Socratic period; ancient philosophy from Socrates on (C5th-4th BC); neo-Platonism (C3rd AD); the high point of medieval philosophy (C13th-14th); early modern philosophy (C17th-C18th); and philosophy from the nineteenth century on. We will grapple with some of the most important and influential ideas in intellectual history in the words of the greatest thinkers themselves.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Development of transferable skills through a school placement 2

Code:

ED2TS2

Convenor:

MR Mark Aitchison

Summary:

This module enables undergraduate students to develop key transferable skills needed for employment, and also provides outreach experience. Following specialist training on key aspects of working in schools, ten day placements in June/July in secondary schools in the Reading area will provide work experience in a professional setting.

In the autumn, students will build on the knowledge and transferable skills acquired in order to plan and deliver, with colleagues, a teaching session that shares knowledge of their degree specialism with small groups of school students. Students will reflect on, and share, their experiences with their colleagues. Assessment will be by coursework, and placement supervisor report on professionalism and engagement.

Students will be selected by application and interview.

Please be aware that once the placement has been completed in June it is not possible to switch from this module in the Autumn Term as students have completed practical activities directly relating to 50% of the mark (Professionalism and portfolio) and that link to activities in the Autumn Term.

Assessment Method:

Practical 10%, Oral 50%, Portfolio 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

American Foreign Policy Since the Vietnam War

Code:

PO3AFP

Convenor:

DR Graham O'Dwyer

Summary:

American foreign policy matters. As the most powerful, wealthiest, and influential state in the contemporary international system what Washington thinks and does is important to understand. But how did the US come to be in such a dominant position? This module explores this question and a set of integrated ones that flow from this concerning the American foreign policy tradition, the growth of presidential power in foreign policy making since 1945, and a number of case studies that explore key events and policies across time. By exploring historical and contemporary cases, since the Vietnam War, students will analyse how foreign policy decisions are made, look at who influences them, and how this has evolved overtime. Drawing on primary and secondary sources students will gain an understanding of crucial events such as the Vietnam War, nuclear diplomacy during the Cold War, US-Mexico-Colombia relations and the War on Drugs, and the response to 9/11. Finally, the course will explore salient challenges faced by US foreign policymakers today. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Dissertation in Politics and International Relations

Code:

PO3DIP

Convenor:

DR Matthias Kronke

Summary:

This module supports students to prepare an independent, research-based dissertation of 8,000-10,000 words on a topic in Politics and International Relations (broadly understood).  Dissertation topics are chosen by students, in consultation with advisers within the Department of Politics and International Relations; they are also individually supervised.  Dissertations represent the culmination of three years of progressively more independent study in Politics and International Relations. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Experiencing War

Code:

PO3EXW

Convenor:

DR Harmonie Toros

Summary:

What is the lived experience of war? How does it differ from theories of war? This module examines the many different roles and experiences of human beings at and in war. It begins with an introduction to how we can understand the notion of “experience” and how we may be able to access some else’s experience of an event. It then examines what it means for humans to have agency in war and how to conceptualize agency. With this theoretical grounding, the module then examines the roles of key actors in war: combatants (both state and non-state), civilians (men, women and children), and third parties (peacekeepers, private security/military actors, journalists, and academics). These categories will be investigated in terms of their lived experience, recognizing that many of these categories overlap. This will be examined through testimonies of guest speakers as well as written, audio, photographic, and video material in an attempt to access experiential knowledge of war. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Feminism and Political Theory

Code:

PO3FPT

Convenor:

DR Cat Wayland

Summary:

This module explores the contributions of feminism to contemporary political theory. It begins by examining theoretical controversies surrounding the definition, subject matter, and aims of feminism. It then brings these theoretical insights to bear on a range of pressing issues in feminist politics, such as abortion, surrogacy, pornography, marriage and sexist language.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Gender and Politics

Code:

PO3GAP

Convenor:

DR Katharina Lawall

Summary:

Why do women remain under-represented in politics? Are voters sexist? And do women make for better political leaders? These are examples of the types of questions that we will consider in this module. Over the course of ten two-hour seminars we will explore how gender shapes politics. Throughout this we will also consider how gender intersects with other identities of race, ethnicity and sexuality. In the module we will look at many real-world examples and students are encouraged to bring their own examples for discussion. The module also exposes students to a variety of different research methods that are used in the field of gender and politics. The course is taught through ten two-hour seminars which require active participation and preparatory work from students. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Global Justice

Code:

PO3GLJ

Convenor:

DR Rufaida Al Hashmi

Summary:

This module covers a range of issues relating to global justice. We will explore what justice requires at the global level. Some of the questions we will examine in this module are: Do states have a right to exclude would-be immigrants, or should there be open borders? Are reparations owed for historical injustices such as colonialism, and if so, what form should these reparations take? Who should bear the responsibility for climate change? For example, should countries who have polluted more pay more to alleviate the problem? Are current global economic arrangements, in particular economic globalization, fair or do they harm the global poor? What are the demands of feminism at the global level when it comes to issues such as the import and export of care work? The module explores these various debates, with a focus on the real-world application of the theoretical arguments.   

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International Terrorism

Code:

PO3ITE

Convenor:

DR Amanda Hall

Summary:

This course examines key issues in the study of contemporary international terrorism. It starts by examining what terrorism is and what distinguishes it from other forms of conflict and warfare in the international system, the causes and consequences of terrorism throughout history, and the nexus between terrorism and the media. From here, the focus shifts to the question of whether there is a particular terrorist type, looking at a range of so-called “typologies” of terrorism that have gained prominence in recent decades. We examine what factors influence terrorist target selection and modus operandi, as well as the options available to counterterrorism, specifically focusing on the effectiveness of political, economic, military and judicial instruments. Terrorism and counterterrorism are further examined with a view to just-war theory and within the context of the civil liberties debate. The course concludes with a look to the future, both in terms of terrorism itself and the contribution the social sciences can make to conceptual and theoretical progress in the area.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Karl Marx

Code:

PO3MAR

Convenor:

PROF Alan Cromartie

Summary:

This module examines the thought of Karl Marx, the greatest social theorist of the last two centuries. It is a text-based course that focuses on excerpts from Marx’s major writings – in other words, we look at the words on the page to see what Marx actually said. 

Particular attention is paid to his ideas about alienation, ideology, exploitation, and revolution, but you will emerge with a general understanding of the Marxist interpretation of history and its possible political implications.  The approach that is adopted is sympathetic to Marx, but students from all political backgrounds are welcome and vigorous dissent is encouraged; the course pays particular attention to those features of thinking that seem to have continuing political importance, but it also explains the reasons for his vulnerability to liberal and conservative criticism.

There is no examination, but the module will conclude with a Long Essay requiring detailed knowledge of all aspects of the course.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Politics and International Relations of the Middle East

Code:

PO3MEA

Convenor:

DR Younis Lahwej

Summary:

This module seeks to provide students with a nuanced understanding of the Politics and International Relations of the Middle East. Divided into two sections, it links the domestic politics of Middle Eastern states with the international tensions and conflicts of the region. The first part begins with a survey of the history of states and empires, followed by the emergence of nationalism and the establishment of the modern state system. We examine in detail the influence and overlapping roles of Pan-Islam, Pan-Arabism, State-Nationalism, Zionism, Palestinian Nationalism, Islamic Fundamentalism and Gender throughout the region and assess the extent to which they impact and define contemporary state politics. The second part turns to the issue of state-civil society relations in the region and the special role of water and oil in national and international politics. Examination of the international politics of the region further includes inter-Arab relations, the Arab-Israeli dispute, the Gulf wars and the complexities of the Syrian Crisis as well as the roles of the superpowers and their interests in the region. The course concludes with a role-play simulation involving negotiation and conflict resolution within the context of a politically sensitive issue for the Israelis and Arab/Palestinians and the current regional conflicts. 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Report 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

The Politics of Nuclear Weapons

Code:

PO3NUK

Convenor:

DR Joseph O'Mahoney

Summary:

How do nuclear weapons affect international politics? How likely is nuclear war or nuclear terrorism? How dangerous is nuclear proliferation? Is nuclear disarmament possible? This module examines the historical, and political contexts for nuclear policy making, including the development of nuclear weapons by states, the evolution of nuclear strategy, the role nuclear weapons play in international politics, the risks posed by nuclear arsenals, and the policies and strategies in place to mitigate those risks. Emphasis is given to political and technical considerations affecting national choices. The module considers the issues surrounding non-proliferation strategies, nuclear security, and next steps for arms control.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 70%, Oral 20%, Set exercise 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Code:

PP3BE

Convenor:

DR Charlotte Newey

Summary:

This module encourages you to explore the world of business ethics. You will be introduced to a range of philosophical questions that will challenge your thinking. You will learn about topics such as the morality of sweatshop labour, the ethics behind advertising, and the corporate obligation to do what is right.

You will learn about competing concerns in business ethics, such as balancing the goals of a business with the needs of the poor. You will consider questions about how to protect both the environment and shareholder interests, using your philosophical skills to defend your own perspective on these complex issues. By the end of this module, you will have a strong understanding of the interplay between these concerns and a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of business ethics.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Dissertation in Philosophy

Code:

PP3DIS

Convenor:

PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford

Summary:

In this module you will pursue an in-depth philosophical project of your own devising. While predominately working independently you will receive one-on-one supervision with an academic working in the same field of study, and you will be encouraged to collaborate with other students on the module. 

Assessment Method:

Oral 25%, Dissertation 65%, Set exercise 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Fairness

Code:

PP3FAI

Convenor:

DR Charlotte Newey

Summary:

This module addresses the concept of fairness and its relation to other moral concepts and considerations.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Global Philosophy of the Arts

Code:

PP3GPA

Convenor:

DR Michela Bariselli

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Happy and Meaningful Lives

Code:

PP3HML

Convenor:

DR Luke Elson

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Hume and Wittgenstein

Code:

PP3HW

Convenor:

DR Sev Schroeder

Summary:

This module introduces students to important ideas of two great philosophers: Ludwig Wittgenstein and, to a lesser extent, David Hume, not yet covered in the Part 2 module PP2HKW1.  The focus will be on topics in the philosophy of language, mind, and action. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Independent Learning / Extended Essay

Code:

PP3ILM

Convenor:

DR Walter Veit

Summary:

This module, at the culmination of the third-year, is specifically designed to complete a student’s training in independent learning. The student will take responsibility for choosing a topic of study and producing an extended essay on that topic. With the supervision of a member of staff, they will develop a suitable reading list and set themselves a graduated period of preparatory work. They will then begin work on drafting the essay, taking advice when necessary and learning how to depend on group-work to develop and improve their own individual ideas. At the end of the period, they will submit the extended essay, together with a full bibliography and record of sources used.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Philosophy of Language: Animals, Babies, Colours, and Language Death

Code:

PP3LANG

Convenor:

DR Nat Hansen

Summary:

Philosophy of language concerns the nature of meaning, language, and communication. It seeks answers to the following questions: Are human beings the only animals who communicate with language? What kinds of mental capacities do babies need to acquire language? How do languages develop and change over time? What is the significance of the fact that languages have different color terms?  What happens when a language dies? Is preventing language death valuable? Can languages go into decline? In particular, is English getting worse over time? How does the development of writing affect the way we use language? What makes some uses of language “correct” and other uses “incorrect”? What is the significance of the fact that some languages don’t have a word for the color “blue”?  Why do we so easily draw conclusions about people who have certain kinds of accents? Why is it so hard to program computers to have natural-sounding human conversations?

Addressing these questions will require an examination of foundational texts in philosophy, linguistics, psychology and anthropology from the 19th, 20th centuries, as well as cutting-edge research informed by developments in the cognitive sciences.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Philosophy of Psychology

Code:

PP3PSY

Convenor:

DR Richard Elliott

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Philosophy of Religion

Code:

PP3RELI

Convenor:

DR George Mason

Summary:

In this module we delve deeply into the critical aspects of philosophy of religion, building upon the skills and knowledge you have gained in prior years. The module offers an extensive exploration of central topics within analytic philosophy of religion, examining both contemporary ideas and their historical origins. Through lectures and seminars, you will evaluate these concepts, considering their significance and validity.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

The Scandal of Film

Code:

PP3SCF

Convenor:

PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford

Summary:

Films play a central role in our cultural life. But many aspects remain unclear and call for philosophical investigation. For example, we often attribute enormous powers to films. They teach us about reality! They reveal the human condition! They make us better people! They make us worse people! They include some of the greatest art yet produced! They do philosophy—better and more seriously than philosophers do! But are any of these claims actually true? Is it even possible, for example, that a film might be a work of art? It would be a scandal to go on believing these claims and not investigate them. So this course will.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Speech Attacks: bullshit, lies, propaganda

Code:

PP3SPA

Convenor:

DR Nat Hansen

Summary:

This module focuses on the way language can be used aggressively, to deceive, manipulate, and oppress. The theoretical foundation of the approach to language taken in this module is speech act theory, which investigates the various ways that we use language to perform actions ranging from betting, promising, and telling, to insulting, bullshitting, and silencing.  We will begin by discussing the foundations of speech act theory and examine a variety of ways that it has been applied to philosophical problems in feminist theory and political and social theory. We will also discuss lies and bullshit, and what (if anything) is wrong with these uses of language. And we will discuss the nature of propaganda and “fake news” and how to resist its effects. 

Exploring the questions raised in this module will take us into debates in philosophy of language, epistemology, feminist theory, and political philosophy. We will look at real-world examples in which language is used aggressively and use the tools provided by speech act theory to help us understand how those uses function, and how they can be opposed. We will read work by some (if not all) of the following authors: J.L. Austin, Harry Frankfurt, Sally Haslanger, Rae Langton, Ishani Maitra, Geoff Nunberg, Martha Nussbaum, George Orwell, Jason Stanley, and Lynne Tirrell.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 90%, Oral 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

The Good Life: Lessons from Ancient Greece

Code:

PP3TGL

Convenor:

DR George Mason

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Reasoning and Choice: Game Theory for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Code:

EC371

Convenor:

DR Christian Bach

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Development of transferable skills through a school placement 4

Code:

ED3TS4

Convenor:

MR Mark Aitchison

Summary:

This module enables undergraduate students to develop key transferable skills needed for employment, and also provides outreach experience. Following specialist training on key aspects of working in schools, ten day placements in June/July in secondary schools in the Reading area will provide work experience in a professional setting.

In the autumn, students will build on the knowledge and transferable skills acquired in order to plan and deliver, with colleagues, a teaching session that shares knowledge of their degree specialism with small groups of school pupils. Students will reflect on, and share, their experiences with their colleagues. Assessment will be by coursework, and placement supervisor report on professionalism and engagement.

Students will be selected by application and interview.

Please be aware that once the placement has been completed in June it is not possible to switch from this module in the Autumn Term as students have completed practical activities directly relating to 50% of the mark (Professionalism and portfolio) and that link to activities in the Autumn Term.

Assessment Method:

Practical 10%, Oral 50%, Portfolio 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.