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PH5564: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT (2023-2024)

Last modified: 05 Oct 2023 08:46


Course Overview

This course introduces the student to key writings from the Scottish Enlightenment. In particular, the course will focus on the work of Francis Hutcheson, David Hume, Thomas Reid, and Adam Smith. Students will be guided through the work of these thinkers with support from staff in History and Philosophy. In addition, we will draw on Aberdeen’s wealth of academic expertise in this area to provide a wider context within which to situate and understand this work. In particular, we will discuss the contexts within which this work arose and the significant influence it had on the European Enlightenment and beyond. Finally, we will reflect on what we might learn from these thinkers today as we face our own intellectual, social and political challenges.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Gerard Hough
  • Dr Bradford Bow

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

  • Distance Learning
  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • PH5064 The Philosophy of Scottish Enlightenment (Online) (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course introduces the student to key writings from the Scottish Enlightenment. In particular, the course will focus on the work of Francis Hutcheson, David Hume, Thomas Reid, and Adam Smith. Students will be guided through the work of these thinkers with support from staff in History and Philosophy. In addition, we will draw on Aberdeen’s wealth of academic expertise in this area to provide a wider context within which to situate and understand this work. In particular, we will discuss the contexts within which this work arose and the significant influence it had on the European Enlightenment and beyond. Finally, we will reflect on what we might learn from these thinkers today as we face our own intellectual, social and political challenges.


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 70
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Indicative assessment week: week 12 of teaching. Feedback provided 3 weeks after submission

Word Count 3000
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

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Indicative assessment week: week 6 of teaching. Feedback provided 3 weeks after submission

Word Count 1500
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

Formative Assessment

Weekly Discussion Form Posts

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Weekly video feedback provided

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
ReflectionAnalyseDevelop an informed understanding of the work of four key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment.
ReflectionAnalyseDevelop transferable skills through interactive learning and private study
ReflectionAnalyseDisplay a critical and comparative appreciation of key arguments and debates.
ReflectionAnalyseEngage in intellectual debate and constructive criticism through written presentations, interactive discussions, and private study.
ReflectionAnalysePlace this work in its social, political and intellectual context, drawing on work from History, English Literature, and Philosophy
ReflectionAnalyseReflect on how the insights of the Scottish Enlightenment might help us deal with some of the moral, social and intellectual challenges we face today.

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