Textual analysis diagnostic, approx. 700 words. [Learning Outcomes 1, 3]
Group oral presentation and individual write up and reflection on presentation. 1800 word equivalant [Learning Outcomes 1,2,3]

Philosophy involves the analysis of the nature of, and the validity of, our ideas or practices. Within higher education, this is typically pursued by philosophy engaging in a dialogue with itself - reading and critically engaging with important historical or contemporary texts. Then, perhaps, seeing if these studied ideas can be applied to solve 'real world' problems.

This module seeks to introduce philosophy by turning such practices on their heads. It will take as its 'texts' everyday object or events (e.g. debates in the press, typical dilemmas of consumerism, notions of friendship, love, health, etc.) and searches for the philosophical assumptions that organise such events. It is anticipated that such assumptions will concern, among other things, the nature of knowledge, ethical behaviour, happiness, personal identity, social and political power, & etc. Then, the module will analyse such assumptions using the full battery of philosophical tools, including selections from historical philosophical texts

This module will also be the occasion for the introduction of PDP to students. This will take the form of an explanation of the PDP process and its significance, and the encouragement of students to performs a skills audit as part of their already scheduled meeting with their personal tutor.

Contact time will be divided into lectures and seminars. Importantly, the seminars will come FIRST, being an attempt to analyse a chosen everyday activity. The lectures will then consist of a presentation of various philosophical approaches to the ideas that arose in that analysis.

Droit, 'Experiments in the Philosophy of Everyday Life', Faber&Faber, 2002.
Kaplin. 'Philosophy and Everyday Life', Chatham, 200'.
Knopp, 'Philosophy of Everyday Life', University Press, 2002.