Programme And Module Handbook
 
Course Details in 2026/27 Session


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Module Title LH Philosophical Project
SchoolPhil, Theology and Religion
Department Philosophy
Module Code 09 21805
Module Lead Darragh Byrne and Michael Rush
Level Honours Level
Credits 20
Semester Full Term
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions BA Philosophy; JH Programmes including Philosophy, Philosophy Religion and Ethics, Politics Religion and Philosophy
Contact Hours Lecture-1 hours
Seminar-1 hours
Project supervision-2 hours
Guided independent study-196 hours
Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description In this module, students research and write a 5000 word dissertation on a topic of their own choice, identifying issues which their work will aim to resolve, identifying, reading and analysing appropriate literature, and evaluating relevant arguments contained therein. They construct their own arguments and positions, and present both the exegetical and evaluative material in clear, concise English. Although the module is Level H, introductory support is offered in the summer term of Stage 2: during this period students attend (i) a lecture aimed to help them to choose a topic and to begin work on it; (ii) a workshop in which they discuss problems and undertake exercises designed to help to get started. Stage 2 students who are on a Study Abroad year and Joint Honours students with unusually heavy exam loads are permitted not to attend these. An additional lecture intended for these students (and for any others who need refreshing) is provided at the beginning of Stage 3.

At the beginning of Stage 3, students choose between two pathways:

Traditional Pathway:
By the end of Week 2, students email the module convenor(s) details of their preferred topic. They are assigned supervisors, and over the following weeks following a small amount of advice from supervisors, they write and submit two formative assessments, (i) a research proposal defining a topic that is finer-grained than that of the group, and (ii) an annotated bibliography (which details around four key pieces of literature they propose to use). The word limit for each of these is 500. During the remainder of the year they have several meetings with supervisors - up to 90 minutes in total - and receive written comments on up to 3000 words of work.

Group Pathway:
Students choose one from a list of medium-grained topics on which members of academic staff propose to convene around four group seminars in Semester 1, and are assigned the group convener as supervisor. They participate in these seminars, and write and submit two formative assessments: a research proposal, defining a topic that is finer-grained than that of the group; and (ii) an annotated bibliography (which details around four key pieces of literature they propose to use). The word limit for each of these is 500. These are submitted later in the semester than on the Traditional Pathway. During Semester 2 they have two or three meetings with supervisors (up to 60 minutes in total) and receive written comments on up to 3000 words of work.
Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module the student should be able to:

  • select a topic suitable for philosophical investigation;
  • identify suitable texts for analysis and criticism, against the background of which they can advance their own arguments;
  • demonstrate an advanced ability to interpret philosophical arguments relevant to the topic;
  • present good philosophical arguments of their own, supporting their conclusions about the topic of their research;
  • present this material well in writing, in a style and format appropriate to academic philosophical writing.
Assessment 21805-01 : 5000 word Philosophical Project : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessment
5000-word essay (100%)

Method of Reassessment
5000-word essay (100%)
Other none
Reading List