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PH454S: FREEDOM, POWER, AND THE SELF (2020-2021)

Last modified: 18 Aug 2020 16:30


Course Overview

Can you choose who you want to be, or are you shaped by social and political forces beyond your control? This module considers the work of a series of French philosophers, working from the 1940s to the 1980s, who argued that the 'self' is not something pre-given, but something that we construct ourselves. Special attention will be paid to the way in which the self is created through action, history, speech, political activism, and gender identity.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Edward Thornton

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Either Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

What makes you the person you are? Do your actions define you, or is it your words? Can you choose who you want to be, or is your identity shaped by social and political forces beyond your control? On this module we will look at the work of a series of French philosophers, working from the 1940s to the 1980s, who argued that the 'self' is not something pre-given, but something that we construct ourselves. Starting with the work of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone De Beauvoir, we will consider whether we are morally responsible for the kind of person we become. In the second half of the course we will read works by Michel foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Luce Irigaray to examine how our position in society and our gender identity is constructed, and to ask what kind of agency we have in the process. Because of the reading material we will cover, this module can also be considered as an introduction to 20th century French philosophy.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 31 Feedback Weeks 34

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen's SafeAssign system.

Word Count 3500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire an understanding of the philosophical literature relevant to the topics.
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of the subject areas.
ProceduralCreateLearn to frame arguments and to communicate arguments to a group of peers.
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills.
ReflectionCreateDevelop proficiency in written and oral communication skills.

Online Test

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 26,27,28,29,31,32,33,34 Feedback Weeks 26,27,28,29,31,32,33,34

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

2.5% each quiz.

Correct solutions provided after due date.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire an understanding of the philosophical literature relevant to the topics.
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of the subject areas.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 36 Feedback Weeks 39

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen's SafeAssign system.

Word Count 3500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire an understanding of the philosophical literature relevant to the topics.
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of the subject areas.
ProceduralCreateLearn to frame arguments and to communicate arguments to a group of peers.
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills.
ReflectionCreateDevelop proficiency in written and oral communication skills.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 42 Feedback Weeks 45

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Via MyAberdeen SafeAssign.

Word Count 3500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of the subject areas.
ConceptualUnderstandAcquire an understanding of the philosophical literature relevant to the topics.
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills.
ReflectionCreateDevelop proficiency in written and oral communication skills.
ProceduralCreateLearn to frame arguments and to communicate arguments to a group of peers.

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