Course Details in 2023/24 Session

Module Title	LC Reasons to Believe
School	Phil, Theology and Religion
Department	Philosophy
Module Code	08 32794
Module Lead	Darragh Byrne
Level	Certificate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-9 hours Guided independent study-171 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	How should we decide what to believe, and what does it take for our beliefs to constitute knowledge? These questions belong primarily to epistemology, and the module covers some quintessential epistemological topics such as the characterisation of knowledge; scepticism, internalism vs. externalism, coherentism vs. foundationalism, perception, testimony and a priority. Another place to look for insights into knowledge is the philosophy of science, and so the module also includes a cursory introduction to the philosophical theory of scientific methodology. One important category of beliefs that is especially difficult to understand in traditional epistemological (or philosophy of science) terms is religious beliefs. Some theists propose theoretical arguments for the existence of god; others maintain that religious belief is a matter not of argument but of faith. The module incorporates critical introductions to both of these approaches to religious belief.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate understanding of important philosophical theories of knowledge, scientific methodology and religious belief. Demonstrate understanding of critical objections to these theories. Write clearly and accurately about these topics, showing that they have thought for themselves about the issues. li>
Assessment	32794-01 : Assessment 1 - 1500 word Essay : Coursework (50%) 32794-02 : Assessment 2 - CT Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: One 1500 word essay (50%) One 1-hour written unseen examination (50%) Reassessment: Same as assessment.
Other
Reading List