Programme And Module Handbook
 
Course Details in 2025/26 Session


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Module Title LM Epistemology
SchoolPhil, Theology and Religion
Department Philosophy
Module Code 08 23150
Module Lead Dr. Ema Sullivan-Bissett
Level Masters Level
Credits 20
Semester Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions None
Exclusions
Description The module covers a range of topics in epistemology, broadly construed. We begin by looking at analyses of knowledge and the role of epistemic luck, before moving to internalist and externalist conceptions of epistemic justification. We spend the next four weeks looking at Cartesian scepticism and responses to it, specifically, dogmatism about knowledge and dogmatism about perceptual justification; contextualism about knowledge attribution; and semantic externalism. We then move onto the attitudinal nature of implicit bias, and next to the notion of alief, thought to be required to explain cases where our folk psychological notions of belief and imagination fall short. Finally, we move on to how best to understand the relationship between belief and truth, before narrowing our focus to a particular disorder of belief: delusion.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the module the student should be able to:
  • demonstrate a thorough familiarity and understanding of the areas of epistemology covered by the module (see above).
  • manifest expertise in the philosophical skills required for productive independent research on these topics, such as the ability to find, interpret and analyse difficult (sometimes technical) texts, the ability to construct rigorous arguments concerning these issues, and the ability to analyse and criticise others¿ arguments.
  • communicate results of interpretation, anaysis and independent research (observing the appropriate academic conventions) in writing.
Assessment 23150-02 : Assignment : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessments:
One 4,000 word essay
OR
2 x 2,000 word essay (50% each).

Reassessment:
Same as assessment.
Other
Reading List