Postgraduate foundation module in philosophy
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| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This course aims to equip you with postgraduate-level skills including critical analysis, argumentation and clarity of thought and expression. It’s also designed to acquaint you with some contemporary debates in philosophy, around the theme of personhood. You’ll learn to recognise a philosophical problem, find and use resources (in libraries and electronically), read philosophical texts and present your arguments clearly in essays. You’ll also receive guidance on the use of libraries and aids to research such as bibliographic databases – employing the excellent facilities that we offer to all our distance students. There will be opportunities to engage in online tuition and discussion.
Course content
The skills developed by this postgraduate foundation course for the MA in Humanities will prepare you particularly well for further study of philosophy in the MA programme, but will be an advantage in whatever you choose to do afterwards.
The course comprises an introduction followed by five chapters, each considering an area of contemporary philosophy to do with the theme of personhood. The philosophy is broadly in the analytic tradition. Each chapter is linked to a selection of readings. Engaging with these will encourage critical thinking, enquiry, and the formulation of your own view of the debate. You will then be able to advocate and defend it in the written assessment.
The course software offers you email contact with your tutor and fellow students, if you want it, and links to the Open University library and to online forums offering guidance and support. You will also have access to philosophical journals and to The Philosopher’s Index, a philosophical database. Extensive support is available, so you should not have difficulties even if you have never used a computer before. You do not need to own a computer, but you are expected to have regular access to one.
Entry
To take this course, you must be registered for the MA in Humanities or for another qualification towards which it can count. You should have an honours degree or equivalent, ideally, but not necessarily, in Philosophy. Your subject knowledge and study skills must be adequate for study at this level. The MA website offers detailed information about the topics discussed in the course, preparatory reading, and important advice if you are new to philosophy. You can also contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
A850 is a compulsory course in our
A850 is an optional course in our
- Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities (C20)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Humanities (D35)
- MA in Humanities (F07)
If you leave the MA in Humanities programme before obtaining your masters degree this course will qualify you for a Postgraduate Certificate. With another 60 points from specified courses, including at least 30 points from subject courses you can obtain a Postgraduate Diploma.
Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Large print versions of the course materials can be provided on request. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
This course makes extensive use of the internet and online forums, so you may need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer. If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books and other printed materials.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Materials to buy
Set books
- Martinich, A.P. Philosophical Writing (3rd edn), Blackwell £14.99 - ISBN 9781405131674
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Electronic communication with your tutor and electronic submission of assignments is essential, and there will be an online forum for discussion and general enquiries. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2011. We expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
A postgraduate course in Arts and Humanities.
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Student Reviews
In respect of the time demanded, the course is challenging and many of the required readings are difficult. One usual ...
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Intellectually demanding but inspiring and certainly my understanding was broadened and deepened. If you lean towards continental philosophy, or have ...
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