UNIVERSITY OF KENT
MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
SECTION 1: MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
1.
Title of the module
Introduction to Philosophy: Logic and Reasoning.
2.
School which will be responsible for management of the module
SECL (Philosophy)
3.
Start date of the module
Spring 2013
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
Approx. 70
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation
with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None
6.
Level of the module
Level C
7.
The number of credits and ECTS value which the module represents
15 credits (7.5 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn or Spring term
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
None
10. The programme(s) of study to which the module contributes
PL310: Core and compulsory for BA Philosophy (SH and JH)
PL314: Available as a wild module only to students in the Faculties of Humanities
and Social Sciences
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of five basic logical connectives (their truth
tables, their relation to their English counterparts), and an understanding of
the concepts of validity, soundness and consistency
2. Demonstrate the ability to construct a truth-table and to determine the validity
of simple arguments by the truth-table method
3. Demonstrate mastery of the terminology of ‘necessary and sufficient
conditions’, ‘contradiction’, and ‘tautology’, and the ability to translate
sentences from English into formal language and vice versa
4. Demonstrate the ability to apply skills in constructing and assessing
arguments to selected philosophical topics
5. Demonstrate the ability to think through a philosophical problem on their own
using common sense and logic
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:
1. Construct, analyse, criticize and assess logical arguments
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
2. Demonstrate the ability to work in groups, and communicate their ideas to
other group members
3. Demonstrate their ability to work autonomously and to take responsibility for
their learning
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
Since Plato’s Dialogues, it has been part of philosophical enquiry to consider
philosophical questions using logic and common sense alone. This module aims
to train students to continue in that tradition. In the first part students will be
introduced to basic themes in introductory logic and critical thinking. In the
second part students will be presented with a problem each week in the form of a
short argument, question, or philosophical puzzle and will be asked to think about
it without consulting the literature. The problem, and students’ responses to it, will
then form the basis of a structured discussion. By the end of the module, students
(a) will have acquired a basic logical vocabulary and techniques for the evaluation
of arguments; (b) will have practised applying these techniques to selected
philosophical topics; and (c) will have acquired the ability to look at new claims or
problems and to apply their newly acquired argumentative and critical skills in
order to generate philosophical discussions of them.
14. Indicative Reading List
Copi & Cohen, Introduction to Logic and Elogic Exercises, Prentice Hall 2004
Fisher, A., The Logic of Real Arguments, CUP, 2004
Baggini, J. & Fosl, P.S., The Philosopher’s Toolkit: A Compendium of
Philosophical Concepts and Methods, Blackwell, 2003
Hodges, W., Logic, 2nd ed., Penguin, 2001
Howson, C., Logic with Trees, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 1997
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and
the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to
achievement of the intended learning outcomes
In the first half of the module (five weeks), students will be taught by one 1-hour
lecture and one 1-hour seminar per week. Lectures will cover the common body of
knowledge/topics and set of skills with which all students will be required to be
familiar. Seminars will provide a forum for embedding and discussing the lecture
material (SSLOs (1)-(3) and GLOs (1) and (2))
In the second half of the module (six weeks), students will be taught by one 2-hour
seminar per week, which will provide them with an opportunity to use the skills
acquired in the first part of the course to identify, analyse and evaluate real
arguments (SSLOs (4) and (5) and GLOS (1) and (2))
Students should also engage in approximately 10 hours per week of independent
study, to include consolidation of material previously covered, and preparation for
in-class assessments (GLO (3))
Total contact hours = 22; Total study hours = 150
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended
learning outcomes
Assessment is 100% coursework, comprising:
In-class assessment 1 – 45% (90 minutes in length written assignment)
In-class assessment 2 – 45% (90 minutes in length written assignment)
Seminar participation – 10%
In-class assessments will test SSLOs (1)-(6) and GLO (1). Seminar participation
will test SSLO (4) and GLOs (1-3).
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
None
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality
legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need
in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever
necessary, including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment
methods for students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs.
Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis,
in consultation with the University’s disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist
support will be provided where needed.
19. Campus(es) where module will be delivered 1
Canterbury
If the module is part of a programme in a Partner College or Validated Institution,
please complete the following:
20. Partner College/Validated Institution
N/A
21. University School (for cognate programmes) or Faculty (for non-cognate programmes)
responsible for the programme
N/A
SECTION 2: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME OF STUDY IN A UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL
Statement by the School Director of Learning and Teaching/School Director of
Graduate Studies (as appropriate): "I confirm I have been consulted on the above module
proposal and have given advice on the correct procedures and required content of module
proposals"
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Director of Learning and Teaching/Director of Graduate
Studies (delete as applicable)
Date
…………………………………………………
Print Name
Statement by the Head of School: "I confirm that the School has approved the introduction
of the module and, where the module is proposed by School staff, will be responsible for its
resourcing"
.................................................................
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Head of School
Date
…………………………………………………….
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Required for information purposes only. Changes of campus will not require re-approval of the
module specification.
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Print Name
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