Module manager: Dr Nick Jones
Email: n.o.jones@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
| PHIL3112 | Kant |
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module will involve the study of one or more areas of the philosophy of Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), including (but not necessarily restricted to): metaphysics; epistemology; moral philosophy; philosophy of religion; aesthetics and philosophy of art.
To enable students to understand and discuss critically, in detail, the philosophical views of Kant, and to be able to read and interpret a primary text.
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
(1) Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of a significant part of the work of Kant, as a key figure in the history of philosophy.
(2) Demonstrate advanced understanding of the role of historical and cultural context in interpreting the writing of Kant.
(3) Develop a critical and nuanced argument in essay form engaging with relevant material using their own independent critical skills and drawing on material from a range of relevant sources.
(4) Conduct independent research and to make appropriate use of supervision structures.
Topics studied may include (but won’t necessarily be restricted to) the following:
• Background context (early Modern Philosophy prior to Kant)
• Kant’s Introduction (analytic a priori vs. synthetic a posteriori vs. synthetic a priori)
• Kant’s rejection of empiricism (how synthetic a priori truths are possible)
• The Unity of Apperception
• The Transcendental Aesthetic
• The Transcendental Analytic
• Transcendental Idealism
• Why sense experience isn’t prone to sceptical doubts
• The Refutation of Idealism
• Phenomena vs. noumena
• The Transcendental Dialectic
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lectures | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminars | 8 | 1 | 8 |
| Private study hours | 280 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
Weekly reading and preparation for seminars: 8 x 10 = 80 hours
Research and preparation for essay: 112 hours
Essay writing (including drafts and revisions): 88 hours
Formative feedback will be given:
In eight hour-long seminars, shared with students on the UG module, where the module leader will respond to student questions and support understanding based on the module content and readings.
In a one-to-one supervision where the module leader will comment and provide guidance and feedback on student essay plans of length 1000 words.
In office hours offered by the module leader and tutorial leader (if these are different).
Student progress will be monitored through the submission of a 5,000 word essay submitted in Semester 2, Week 13, on which feedback will be provided.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 5000 words | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 1/22/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team