Philosophy tackles some of the deepest and most complex questions about humanity and our place in the world. It also sheds light on extremely practical and political issues. The key intent of the course is to provide students with knowledge of the ideas and debates in contemporary analytic philosophy, and to provide students with academic skills in communication, research, critical analysis and reasoning that will prepare them for doctoral research or non-academic professional roles.
The course combines a selection of core modules and a wide range of optional modules. The core modules introduce students to key methods and landmark debates in contemporary analytic philosophy. These will provide students with new tools for tackling problems in philosophy from different angles, which can be applied to interrogate and evaluate highly practical problems in social philosophy and political philosophy. A wide range of optional modules also provide students with the chance to use these skills to carry out new work on the deep issues about the nature of reality and our relationship to it in, for example, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of logic, aesthetics, mind, language, metaethics, and feminist philosophy. Students will also complete a dissertation on a topic aligned with their own interests and under the supervision of active researchers in the discipline.
Leeds has distinctive research strengths in several areas of analytic philosophy, which underpins the programme and its focus on analytic philosophy, and ensures learning based on the latest research, including that produced in Leeds. Active engagement with research is built into all stages of the programme, from class presentations in the core modules to the development of a dissertation topic with the guidance of the programme lead.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates are required to study 180 credits in total and pass all pass for progression modules.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL5105M | Landmarks in Analytic Philosophy | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| PHIL5110M | Ways of Doing Analytic Philosophy | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study at least ONE of the following foundation modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL5200M | Mind, Language, Reality | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL5223M | Ethics, Meta-Ethics and Political Philosophy | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study one of the following dissertation modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL5170M | Philosophy Dissertation | 60 | 1 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth) | PFP |
| PHIL5900M | Philosophy: Extended Dissertation | 90 | 1 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to take any remaining credits (0-30) from the following baskets of optional modules ensuring they do not take more than 90 credits overall in either semester.
Basket A:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPSC5171M | Topics in the Philosophy of Physics | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL5360M | Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL5460M | Feminist Philosophy | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL5561M | Continental Philosophy | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL5915M | Independent Study A | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Basket B:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL5660M | Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL5760M | Kant | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL5860M | Philosophy of the Social Sciences | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL5920M | Independent Study B | 30 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL5960M | Topics in the Philosophy of Biology | 30 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 13/03/2025 09:01:51
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