PHIL40010 Consciousness, Agency & the Self

Academic Year 2023/2024

This course covers some central topics in the philosophy of mind, beginning with classic discussions of consciousness and the mind–body problem, and more recent debates about the ‘extended mind’. In the second part of this course, we will consider issues concerning the relation between perception, action and attention: Is the brain a Bayesian prediction machine? What is the role of the physical body in shaping and influencing our experience of the world? And what implications does this have for the possibility of artificial minds and agents?

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this course will have (1) a good grasp of central issues in the philosophy of mind and consciousness (2) engaged critically with some of the most important views and arguments in those areas, and (3) developed independent arguments and views on some of the issues discussed.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24

Autonomous Student Learning

161

Total

185

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Seminar format with participation in class discussion, presentations, etc.

Note: students are encouraged (though not required) to submit a short (up to 1,500 word) draft or essay outline during the trimester. This will not contribute to the final grade, but feedback will be given to help with the development of the final essay. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

This course is suitable for students with no background in philosophy of mind.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 3,500 words Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

90

Continuous Assessment: Reading questions Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

10


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
James Laing Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
     
Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 14:00 - 15:50