Module manager: Joshua Habgood-Coote
Email: J.Habgood-Coote@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This research engagement and preparation module is designed to give BA Joint Honours Philosophy students an essential toolkit for conducting their own research in philosophy. This is a skill-based module in which you will learn to philosophically engage with your other discipline.
The module has two main objectives. The first is to develop the research skills required to conduct independent philosophical research. The second is to learn how to philosophically engage with your other discipline.
Specifically, the learning objectives are:
1. To gain a critical awareness of what philosophy is, in the academic context, and how it differs from the aims and research methodologies of your other Joint Honours discipline
2. To gain an understanding of how to conduct a philosophical research project (e.g. project planning, question design, drafting, implementation of feedback).
3. To gain an understanding of the intellectual skills required for a successful research project in philosophy (e.g. analytical, interpretive, critical, reflective)
4. To gain an understanding of how to identify philosophical problems within your Joint Honours subject area.
5. To gain a critical awareness of philosophical approaches to questions in your other discipline.
These learning objectives will be achieved through:
Interactive lectures and seminars grounded in theory and practice where you are introduced to core philosophical methods and argumentative moves and encouraged to critically reflect on your own skill development.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Accurately identify and articulate a philosophical question in your other discipline
2. Accurately identify and articulate a philosophical research methodology to answer that philosophical question
3. Develop and defend a philosophical argument
4. Coherently connect different disciplinary approaches and arguments
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Communicate your ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
2. Critically analyse source material and demonstrate independence of thought (Academic and Work Ready skill)
3. Search for appropriate material to support your knowledge and analysis of topics (Academic, Work Ready, Digital and Sustainability skill)
4. Conform to standards of academic integrity including when and how to appropriately acknowledge someone else’s work (Academic and Work Ready skill)
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 181 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 19 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will be expected to develop their coursework essay during the semester, and at some points will be invited to bring elements of the piece of work to class as material to work on relevant to the research skill being discussed (e.g., ‘summarise your opponent’s key argument’); these will be used as the basis for in-class peer feedback.
Students can attend student consultation hours with module teaching staff for formative feedback on their module performance.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 70 |
| Coursework | Portfolio | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team