HUM6012 - The Roots of Ideas

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

(1) demonstrate a knowledge of selected West European theorists and thinkers in the humanities and social sciences from the ancient world until the late twentieth century.
(2) show an in-depth knowledge of one theorist or thinker within the parameters of the module, and an ability to analyse and evaluate his or her ideas.
(3) demonstrate an ability to apply theories and philosophies which they have studied to particular issues or topics, such as the nature of freedom, war and peace, aesthetics.
(4) exhibit a high level of ability to present ideas orally and in a written form, and to sustain debate.

Content:

Students will study theories and philosophies of normally seven or eight thinkers in the humanaties and the social sciences, such as (for example) Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Machiavelli, Rousseau, Wollstonecraft, Marx, Freud, Foucault. They will be concentrating primarily on a close reading of selected extracts from key works by the theorists and thinkers, and they will study a thinker of their choice in depth. They will be required to compare and contrast the theories and ideas of each thinker in class debates, and to apply them to such issues and topics (for example) civic responsibility, power, equality, race and gender, and the role of religion and culture in a civic community. The theorists studies, and the topic/issue chosen for the oral presentation may vary from year to year and could be selected with attention to the nature of the cohort of students (eg should the cohort consist primarily of theologians, a greater number of theological thinkers could be selected). The module will develop theoretical and critical understanding and knowledge appropriate to preparation for post-graduate study within the humanaties; and will develop the ability to explain and experiment with ideas, both verbally and in written form.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Seminars will combine tutor guidance with analysis of texts, discussion and debate. Learning will be supported by handouts, and by preparation and reading before each seminar as directed by the tutor.

Seminars
Contact hours 48
Number of groups 1

Assessment: