PHIL20280 Metaphysics

Academic Year 2020/2021

This is an introductory-level course in contemporary analytic metaphysics. Metaphysics is one of the six branches of Philosophy, and it’s the branch that concerns itself with the most fundamental features of reality. Metaphysicians ask: What is there? And what is it like? Metaphysicians challenge commonsensical ideas we have of reality. They wonder what persons, time, or causation are and whether fictional characters, numbers, or even tables exist.

Although metaphysics shares some of its subject matter with other disciplines such as physics and biology, it does not stand in opposition to empirical sciences. Instead, it complements them by asking questions that cannot be answered through empirical methods alone. Answering these questions requires some a priori reasoning as well. The subject matter of metaphysics is also broader than those of empirical disciplines and leaves room for the possibility that reality is made up of non-physical stuff as well.

Contemporary metaphysics deals with a vast range of questions, but the debates are deeply interconnected. After an introduction to what Metaphysics is, we will engage with seven contemporary debates and how they challenge our everyday conception of reality:

"Your smartphone is two things!" - a puzzle of material constitution
"You don't exist!" - the question of material composition
"Hermione Granger is real!" - the mystery of fictional characters
"You don't have a soul!" - the conundrum of the soul
"You're an animal!" - the riddle that is us
"There is no black or white!" - the enigma of race
"What's a woman anyway!" - the paradox of gender

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Your learning outcomes depend on the learning path you choose.

In this module, I will use the so-called “specifications grading”. This approach relies on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading of assignments. Your final letter grade depends on the assignment bundle you chose to complete satisfactorily.

Assignment bundles are tied to learning outcomes. Assignment bundles for higher grades align with higher learning outcomes. It is up to you to determine what grade you want to earn and work towards.

The advantages of specs grading over traditional grading are that a) you know exactly what learning objectives you have achieved at the end of the module and b) you can choose your path through this module depending on the learning outcomes you’d like to meet and the grade you want to earn.

Specs grading is inspired by adult-based learning theory that holds that adults learn best in a challenging learning environment that allows for mistakes and offers choices.
You can choose your learning path and grade by choosing between the different assignment bundles. You also have a choice which of the metaphysical topics offered you would like to study. For paths that result in a C and better, you can also choose between different assignments.
I will provide you with specifications of what counts as “satisfactory” for each type of assignment at the beginning of the course.

You will receive 5 tokens you can use to either submit an assignment one week late or to re-submit an assignment that has received an “unsatisfactory”. You can use a maximum of 2 tokens on a single assignment. Tokens cannot be used for the quizzes, but you have two attempts for each quiz.

For a D grade, you will need to earn a “satisfactory” for each of these assignments:
- 6 unit-quizzes (multiple-choice, 5 questions each)
- Three forum posts reflecting on your learning

Learning outcomes for the D-path:
If you complete the module with a D, you should be able to
- Identify different metaphysical concepts, arguments, and views
- Reflect on your learning


For a C grade, you will need to earn a “satisfactory” for each of the following assignments:
- 6 unit-quizzes (multiple-choice, 5 questions each)
- Three forum posts reflecting on your learning
- Post and reply in at least two Relate Discussion Forums
- An expository blog post of 1300 words or a recorded presentation of 4 minutes (other media are possible as long as they have been discussed with me in advance)

Learning outcomes for the C-path:
If you complete the module with a C, you should be able to
- Identify different metaphysical concepts, arguments, and views
- Reflect on your learning
- Describe a complex metaphysical idea to a non-specialist audience


For a B grade, you will need to earn a “satisfactory” for each of the following assignments:
- 6 unit-quizzes (multiple-choice, 5 questions each)
- Three forum posts reflecting on your learning
- Post and reply in at least four Relate Discussion Forums
- An expository blog post of 1300 words or a recorded presentation of 4 minutes (other media are possible as long as they have been discussed with me in advance)
- Post and reply in at least four Debate Discussion Forums

Learning outcomes for the B-path:
If you complete the module with a B, you should be able to
- Identify different metaphysical concepts, arguments, and views
- Reflect on your learning
- Describe a complex metaphysical idea to a non-specialist audience
- Examine and criticize a metaphysical view


For an A grade, you will need to earn a “satisfactory” for each of these assignments:
- 6 unit-quizzes (multiple-choice, 5 questions each)
- Three forum posts reflecting on your learning
- Post and reply in at least four Relate Discussion Forums
- An expository blog post of 1300 words or a recorded presentation of 4 minutes (other media are possible as long as they have been discussed with me in advance)
- Post and reply in at least four Debate Discussion Forums
- An argumentative blog post or essay of 1600 words (other media are possible as long as they have been discussed with me in advance)

Learning outcomes for the A-path:
If you complete the module with an A, you should be able to
- Identify different metaphysical concepts, arguments, and views
- Reflect on your learning
- Describe a complex metaphysical idea to a non-specialist audience
- Examine and criticize a metaphysical view
- Develop and defend your own position on a metaphysical topic

There are several deadlines throughout the trimester for the quizzes and the posts. The deadline for the expository work is at the end of week 7, the deadline line for the argumentative work is at the end of week 12. Early submission is possible for all of the assignments except the short reflection posts.

Active participation in this module will allow you to practice
- Organizing your learning independently and managing your time
- Reading and understanding complex writing
- Collaborating with others remotely (and, optionally, face-to-face)
- Writing for a general audience

Indicative Module Content:

"Your smartphone is two things!" - a puzzle of material constitution
"You don't exist!" - the question of material composition
"Hermione Granger is real!" - the mystery of fictional characters
"You don't have a soul!" - the conundrum of the soul
"You're an animal!" - the riddle that is us
"There is no black or white!" - the enigma of race
"What's a woman anyway!" - the paradox of gender

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

7
Autonomous Student Learning

98
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Online Course? What to expect

The main difference between an online course and traditional face-to-face courses is that there will not be any scheduled face-to-face lectures in an online course.

This module is taught not only online but also mostly asynchronously. It means that there aren't any scheduled times when students need to be online, with the exception of the tutorials which will take place live in the virtual classroom.

Whether you prefer to study at 6 am or at 11 pm, whether the best time for you to learn is Mondays through Wednesdays or on weekends - it is up to you to decide. As this is an online course, you also don't have to be at any particular place to study. You can learn at home or in a café, in the library or a local park.

All you will need is access to a computer with a stable internet connection and, possibly, earphones. Almost all of the course activities will happen through Brightspace so if you are already familiar with Brightspace you are good to go.

And just because the module is taught online does not mean that you cannot learn with others. You can organize a learning group or meet with a learning buddy. You can meet your classmates face-to-face or virtually. It is up to you to find the people with whom you want to study once the course has started. The module also has several discussion boards on Brightspace, where you collaborate with your classmates. Participation in some of these discussions is graded.

This online module does not just mirror a face-to-face course. "Going online" allows us to mix up the different ways in which we learn. There won't be any hours-long lectures in this module. Instead, there will be shorter video lectures, reading material, exercises, and discussion boards.

While I will not lecture synchronously, I will be virtually engaged in the discussion boards, I will be available via email or text, and I'll hold synchronous weekly office hours.

NOTE: While students do not need to attend face-to-face lectures or virtual meetings on any particular day or at any specific time, there are several deadlines for completing course assignments. Therefore, regular engagement in the course is necessary to pass the module.

Many students struggle with procrastination at some point during their degree. And for some students, it's an ongoing issue. Online courses may seem particularly challenging to you if you are prone to put off readings or assignments until the very last minute. To support your efforts to keep up with the course I will be offering a synchronous workshop on how to approach procrastination.
The workshop will run parallel to the module on Zoom and is entirely voluntary, though a commitment to participating in the sessions is required. Due to the sensitivity of the information that will be shared in these sessions the workshop will not be recorded.

Should you have any questions about the module please contact me at tatjana.vonsolodkoff@ucd.ie 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: You can choose your own assessment bundle, depending on the final grade which you would like to earn.
See the section "Learning Outcomes"		 Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded Yes

100

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

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Alma Buholzer Tutor