This module 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 students. There will be opportunities to engage in online tuition and discussion.
What you will study
The skills developed by this postgraduate foundation module 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 module 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 module 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.
Normally you’ll need to have completed this module in order to progress to The philosophy dissertation (A857).
Entry
To take this module, you must declare the MA in Philosophy (F30) (or another qualification towards which this module can count) as your qualification intention. 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 module, preparatory reading, and important advice if you are new to philosophy. You can also speak to an adviser.
Qualifications
A850 is a compulsory module in our:
A850 is an optional module in our:
This module can also count towards F07 which is no longer available to new students.
If you leave the MA in Humanities programme before obtaining your masters degree this module will qualify you for a postgraduate certificate. With another 60 credits from specified modules, including at least 30 credits from subject modules, 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 module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. You can contact your tutor by email and there will be an online forum for discussion and general enquiries.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details 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.