|
|
211 History of Philosophy in the 17th and 18th Centuries Philosophy at Lancaster |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
LIST OF COURSESME PAGE |
Policy on learning resources Central Texts This course proceeds by close consideration of a selection of the great classical texts of Western Philosophy. The texts are:
These are the main resource for the course and students are expected to have very frequent access to them. Cheap editions are identified (see table) and the bookshop advised. The numbers of copies of the texts in the library are also identified in the listing above. However all these texts are also freely available (in easily 'searchable' form) on the Internet. I have put simple editions on our server, where their editors allow, as well as pointing to others on the course web pages. A pair of discs carrying the core texts is made available for loan within the department for those (dwindling in numbers) who have yet to handle the net easily. Two secondary works are identified as helping course participants to understand the texts, and to place them in context. They are looked upon as 'textbooks', backing up the lectures, together covering the course as a whole. They are:
For copyright reasons these are not available on the Internet. They are in the library, but participants are recommended to buy their own copies. In general, a different passage from a central text is set as the reading for each week (on the topic of the lecture and seminar) (see Reading and Topics Week by Week), and participants are encouraged to draw on the relevant textbook as they encounter the need for help. A longer list (but highly select) of books and articles available in the library is provided, and participants encouraged to turn to this to enrich their reading for their written assignments. They are also encouraged to go on to explore for themselves the remainder of the library holdings The assignments and assessment are designed so that it is possible for a sufficiently able student to achieve first class marks even though they restrict their reading to the central texts. (This is not difficult.) Library There are multiple copies in the Library of the central texts (though in a variety of editions) and of the two textbooks (see table above for numbers). There are at least single copies of each of the books listed in the 'Further Reading' list. Important new books are ordered (and indicated to participants) as they appear. An important research interest of the department (via Prof Stewart) has for a substantial time concerned early modern philosophy and good support has been maintained. The full holdings are not listed systematically for course participants - deliberately so that they have the occasion to develop their independent library-use skills. Holdings of the main research journals in the field are also maintained by the Library. Participants are encouraged to explore these, and are pointed to particular items from time to time. The assessment design is such that if a participant makes good use of the materials beyond the central texts and the textbooks they receive credit (with the implication that a wider reading base may compensate for or supplement other qualities of an essay - see Assessment Policy).
Campus Bookshop The bookshop is advised of the central texts, with cheap editions identified, and of the textbooks, which it provides in class numbers. It is also given a short list of other generally useful books which participants have pointed out to them, and a longer list of books identified as for 'further and background' reading. It generally makes these available in single copies. It also takes orders of course. Other bookshops The campus bookshop is run by Waterstones, who have another branch in town. Hammicks is also in town, though we don't supply any recommendations to them. Blackwells and Amazon et al are currently providing a tremendously competitive service via the internet. These resources are indicated to participants. Web Site There are web pages for the course. Here are kept:- All policy documents relating to the course (e.g. this one) Summary notes of each lecture Texts of overheads used in each lecture Full texts of each lecture A select number of links to relevant web resources, which are now substantial Links to generic BA philosophy programme documents. Other IT resources The resources offered through the Computers in Teaching Initiative are kept under annual review and though some are relevant there is nothing we would make use of except to draw the attention of participants to it via the web site. Broadcast materials, sound and video; slides There are broadcast materials that are highly relevant from time to time, and attention is drawn to these. They often form the focus of introductory seminar discussion. Arrangements for recording broadcast materials are available, but there is often a cost which is not usually thought high in the list of priorities. Some call is made on the Library's slide collection, much of which has suffered from colour shift. Visits, awaydays, conferences etc Departmental Seminar Contributions to the departmental seminar are sometimes relevant. Course participants are encouraged to attend. Philosophy Society (undergraduate) Discussions are often relevant. This group has an invaluable role in offering informal course related 'support' discussion and is warmly encouraged. Its activities are announced in classes. Conferences Occasionally there is a relevant conference at the right level. Notice is given.
VP |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|