History and Philosophy - U6UHISPY

This module will cover a selection of contemporary debates within political philosophy, with a particular focus on feminist philosophy. We will look at key concepts such as oppression, ideology, freedom, democracy, and policing, and consider how these concepts apply to issues of gender.*

Questions covered may include the following:

• What is oppression? 
• What is gender oppression?
• How does this intersect with race, disability, class, sexuality, and other axes of oppression?
• What is freedom? 
• How does attention to gender affect the way we understand freedom?
• What is state violence and what functions does it serve? 
• How can we make sense of gendered violence? 
• What forms of violence are normalised and legitimised in dominant discourses? 
• Should there be a distinction between the public and the private? 
• Does it make sense to think of our personal lives as ‘political’?

* Note: the concepts of political obligation and state legitimacy may be introduced but will not be covered in detail, as they are addressed in the Level 2 module Freedom and Obligation.

Come and explore some fundamental thinking about the world around us and our knowledge of it.

You'll look at questions such as:

• metaphysics – how should we think about the identity of things over time and through change? What does your personal identity over time consist in?
• philosophy of science – is science the guide to all of reality? Is there a scientific method?
• philosophy of language – what is truth? Is truth relative? Does language create reality?

An ideal introduction to metaphysics, epistemology, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of language.

This module is worth 10 credits.

All religions have a distinctive philosophical framework. Together we'll look at some of the common concerns such as:

• the variety of conceptions of ultimate reality
• goals for the spiritual life
• the nature of religious experience
• the relations of religion and morality
• explanations of suffering and evil
• human nature and continuing existence after death

As there is such a range of beliefs we'll also look at the problems of religious diversity.

Some of the sources we draw on might include (but is not limited to):

• atheists - Feuerbach, Nietzsche
• Buddhists - Śāntideva, Dōgen, Thich Nhat Hanh
• Christians - Augustine, Pascal, Weil
• Hindus - such as the writers of the Upanisads and Shankara
• Jews - Spinoza, Buber
• Muslims - Mulla Sadra, Nasr
• Taoists - Zhuangzi

More contemporary thinkers might also be included.

With such a wide range of issues and traditions the exact mix will vary - each year will focus on a few key thinkers and themes.

This module is worth 10 credits.

What shaped the medieval world, and how did it evolve over a thousand years? 

This module invites you to dive into the rich and complex history of the medieval period, from political upheavals to cultural and social transformations. We will explore:

• major political structures and how they developed over time
• the social and economic fabric of medieval life, including the daily experiences of people across different classes and communities
• religious and cultural movements that influenced societies and shaped identities
• themes of race, gender, and minority experiences within medieval contexts
• interactions between Europe, the Islamic world, and the Far East

You’ll engage with both primary evidence and the various ways historians have interpreted this era, gaining critical insights and a strong foundation in medieval history. This module sets the stage for understanding the themes and concepts you'll encounter throughout your degree.

This module is worth 20 credits

How did the early modern world transform politically, socially, and culturally between 1500 and 1800?  

This module explores major shifts that reshaped societies in Europe and across the globe, examining themes such as:

• the emergence of new imperial formations and their global impact
• religious conflict and how it redefined cultural and political landscapes
• the nature of warfare and its consequences for rulers, subjects, and political elites
• socio-economic trends and their influence on everyday life and broader societal structures
• the experiences and histories of marginalised groups during this transformative era

You’ll engage with primary evidence and critically evaluate how historians have interpreted these sources, gaining a comprehensive understanding of early modern history and developing key historical skills for your degree.

This module is worth 20 credits.

 What forces have shaped our modern world? 

This module takes you on a journey through the major developments that defined society and culture from 1800 to 2000. You’ll explore:

• the rise of new ideas and groundbreaking technologies
• political upheaval, conflict, and revolutionary change
• the emergence of powerful social movements advocating for rights and equality
• economic transformations and the evolution of cultural norms
• processes of global and transnational exchange across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia

With a focus on both national histories and global connections, you’ll engage with primary evidence and assess historians’ interpretations, building a comprehensive understanding of modern history while honing essential research and analytical skills.

This module is worth 20 credits.

Gain the skills you need to thrive in your first year as a historian.

This module is designed to support your transition to university-level history by helping you reflect on your progress and connect ideas across your studies. We will:

• help you identify connections between different areas of your History degree, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the discipline and how it all fits together

• guide you in thinking critically about what it means to study history and how to approach historical research 

• support you in developing essential academic skills

Through a learner journal and a series of tasks, you’ll track your growth, set goals for improvement, and prepare for more advanced work in your second semester and beyond.

This module is worth 10 credits.

This module supports your journey as a historian during the second semester of your first year, focusing on critical reflection and skill development. You will explore:

• connections between themes and concepts from your History modules
• how your understanding of history as a discipline has evolved from school or college to university
• the value of history and how it informs contemporary issues and ideas

Working with a personal tutor, you will complete a learner journal and portfolio that encourage self-assessment and independent thinking. The module aims to foster self-directed learning, enhance your ability to interpret historical sources, and prepare you for more advanced work in Year 2 and beyond.

This module is worth 10 credits.

This module delves into how different cultures and traditions tackle philosophical problems and themes. You’ll explore a variety of topics, which may change each year, such as the nature of reality, human flourishing, the environment, beauty, tradition, wisdom, optimism, religion, mind and reason, social order, and principles for co-existence.

The course introduces and compares a wide range of philosophical traditions and theories, considering their historical and cultural contexts. You’ll make connections to relevant second-year optional philosophy modules and core project options.

Join us to gain a global perspective on philosophy and understand how diverse cultures address fundamental human questions.

This module delves into how both philosophers and non-philosophers have understood human nature and its role in moral, political, and broader philosophical debates. You’ll explore a range of topics, including: 

• Early religious and secular views of human nature and their implications for life, organisation, purpose, and morality
• Modern views of human nature, including the impact of evolutionary theory and psychology.
• Human nature as an ideological construct
• The challenge of deriving human values from human facts
• Biological determinism and transcendence
   

The module aims to introduce and compare different approaches to human nature, exploring questions about the human condition, such as what makes life meaningful. 
 

This module can be taken independently or alongside its counterpart, part B, for a more comprehensive understanding.  

This module delves into how philosophers have tackled questions about the meaning and purpose of life. You’ll explore whether life is meaningful and, if so, what makes it so. Topics may vary each year but typically include: 

• Religious and secular approaches to the meaning of life
• The difference between the meaning of life and meaning in life
• Nihilism and its implications
• Objective versus subjective approaches to meaning
• How a meaningful life relates to wellbeing, education, work, recreation, and authenticity
   

The module aims to introduce and compare different philosophical approaches to what makes life meaningful, addressing these issues from a theoretical perspective. You’ll also explore how various answers impact human lives and wellbeing. 

Writing inspires change. From the academic textbook that demonstrates a new concept, to a blog post that influences habits, writing can change the world.

On this module, you will learn to think critically about yourself and society, through reflecting on how you write.

Writing lets us occupy different spaces and identities. You can write to develop your sense of self, to enlighten others, or to build connections. Writing skills are more than just how to write an academic essay. Writing can give you an insight into who you are, your values and future direction.

During your studies, you will use writing to develop analytical approaches which can enhance your work and prepare you for your future career. Focusing on the diversity of experiences and backgrounds, interests and motivations, we show how meaningful writing can lead, inspire and transform. 

This module is worth 10 credits.

We are in a state of climate emergency. Sustainability and climate change is on both political and personal agendas like never before.

On this module, you will:

• Examine the idea of ‘sustainability’ - looking at the social, cultural, political, economic and environmental challenges that sustainability aims to address
• Link issues of climate change, and our responses to them, to shifting ideas about nature and its distinctness from culture, the scientific and industrial revolutions, and the emergence of the Western world
• Examine Western culture’s way of defining the ‘environment’ and our relationship with nature
• Look at the diverse ways in which different cultures imagine nature

The arts and humanities do not offer quick fixes to our problems, but ways of thinking that can change the world. We do this through understanding context, process and change.

We show how the arts and humanities sheds light on the history of the present and directs us towards the future.

This module is worth 10 credits.

We live in a data-driven society. Information is used for everything from predicting our shopping habits, to understanding global weather patterns, and has radically changed our world.

From the development of Artificial Intelligence to robotics and the use of ‘big data’, the capture and use of information is essential in modern society. To make sure these developments help solve problems, and are not used for harm, we need the arts and humanities to set boundaries and ask questions.

You will:

• Explore topics such as privacy, surveillance, power and representation
• Learn how modern technology can replicate historical biases and ignore contemporary struggles
• Gain the background and context to contemporary issues on data and society
• Question the limits we place on technology in our world
• Explore how the arts and humanities shape, direct and protect against the way data is used

This module is worth 10 credits.

How can the arts help us think about health and cope with illness?  What can the arts contribute to healthcare practice and policy?

You will explore big questions like these, looking at how the arts can engage with the crucial issues in health today and build a better vision of health for the future.

We will cover major themes including:

• Representing health - look critically at representations of good and poor health, found in politics, religion, art, film, literature, and philosophy.
• Mental health - explore what mental health is, and how it differs from physical health. You’ll look critically at themes such as the marketisation of mental health, the history of mental health institutions, and the ethics of psychiatry.
• Communicating health - how health is communicated in personal, public, and professional settings. We’ll explore questions such as why it is so important that patient voices are heard in communicating about health.
• Health inequalities - look critically at striking inequalities in health, including patterns of gender, race, class, sexuality and economic differences in health and access to healthcare.

From treatment, information, care, and outreach, understanding the health humanities provides career opportunities for the next century.

This module is worth 10 credits.

The digitisation of records and texts has revolutionised academic study. The ability to efficiently and confidently use data is a valuable skill for both your course and future career.

On this module, you will:

• Learn the basics of data and ‘text mining’ (using search terms to explore large amounts of information)
• Develop your skills and apply them to case studies
• See how your work can highlight issues and solve problems
• Understand how data analysis allows us to create narratives that inspire and drive change

We will use examples and case studies from across the faculty, where data and text analysis have been used by arts and humanities researchers within their work.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Learn the basics of creating and editing audio and visual material.

From podcasting, photo editing, photography, video editing and sound editing, you can work on how your digital skills can be used to communicate and inspire.

You will be guided through a series of tutorials and examples where you can develop your skills and produce your own content.

This work will be developed through examples and case studies from across the faculty, where audio and visual materials have been used by researchers within their work.

Examples include:

• Virtual reality renditions of historical photographs
•  Immersive museum experiences
• Audio installations to share stories about migration and sustainability
• Interactive events to inspire young people about languages and cultures past and present

This module is worth 10 credits.

Epidemics and infectious illnesses have shaped our world. Most recently, the Coronavirus pandemic dramatically changed the way we work and socialise, with lasting effect.

We will explore the past and present of infectious disease, including how cultures, religions, literature and art have been shaped by the interaction between humans and disease.

You will learn about:

• The variety of human responses to sickness
• How ideas about illness are expressed across the world
• Drug resistant bacteria and mutations of viruses
• How the arts help societies to process the impact of disease - it is often through music, literature, philosophy and media that suffering is expressed and issues raised

This module is worth 10 credits.

Our digital revolution has been led by the arts and humanities.

From mobile apps to learn languages, to video tutorials on how to play an instrument, the use of digital platforms has transformed our disciplines.

In an age defined by ecological issues, technological change and political upheaval across the world, it is the arts and humanities which provide vital links between the past, present and future. It is now more important than ever that we connect communities, challenge structures of power and address inequality.

You will examine how the digital arts changed the world, using examples from a range of mediums from across the globe. This could be a community walking app, that has brought hidden histories to light, a crowd-sourced projects that have given a platform to new voices, or social media forums that link music, philosophy and literature to contemporary debates.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Explore how the arts and humanities contribute to sustainability.

From stories, to images and representation, the ways we understand the world also shape how we understand sustainability.

With a focus on globalisation, and the accelerating pace of climate change in the 20^th and 21^st centuries, we will think about the problems raised by the climate crisis. 

You will:

• Learn about debates around the Anthropocene, the era of humanity’s marked impact on the environment
• Examine the controversies and disputes that have emerged about our relationship with nature
• Explore how we can tell stories about climate change – for example through the literature and music of marginalised groups across the world, who feel the impact of climate change first

By considering how everyday life choices are linked to the environment, the module offers an imaginative way to explore the challenges of sustainable living.  You will gain the tools to challenge opinion and identify how local ideas can offer a solution to global problems.

This module is worth 10 credits.

From filters to fake news, we are exposed to a huge amount of information in our day-to-day lives.

Whether through advertising, promotion, policies or the media, the (mis)information we are exposed to is intended to influence us, change our minds, or maybe even censor and withhold information about important issues.

To challenge this, we need to think critically about data. This module will give you the skills to do just that.

You’ll gain the critical skills to observe, question, and act when the facts do not support what’s being represented. We will also introduce approaches you can use to question visual, textual, quantitative and qualitative information. This could include:

• Causality
• Statistics
• Bias
• Content analysis
• Language

Critical analysis is an important skill, not only so we can preserve our freedoms and protect from harm caused by misinformation, but in the workplace too. The ability to make judgements that are based on logic is a key transferable skill.

This module is worth 10 credits.

The discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard forced historians to re-evaluate Early Medieval England and ask new questions about this crucial formative stage of history. The items discovered are almost exclusively connected to warfare, yet many show evidence of very high levels of craftsmanship, reflecting the fact that this period was one characterised by brutal and relentless fighting whilst at the same time maintaining an extraordinarily rich culture.

The history of this era of conversions, conflicts and cultural renaissances is documented primarily by Bede (c. 673-735), whose career at the monastery at Wearmouth and Jarrow culminated with the production of the first synthetic history of the English (the Ecclesiastical History of the English People). Bede’s writings are complemented by copious archaeological evidence, most famously through artefacts such as the Franks Casket and Sutton Hoo Helmet, monumental stone crosses at Ruthwell and Bewcastle, and fabulous manuscripts like the Lindisfarne, and Lichfield Gospels. Students will utilise these sources, plus a wide variety of other items of textual and non-textual evidence to explore the cultures of the early English kingdoms.

The first semester will focus on the era of conversion documented in the Ecclesiastical History, and the second will consist of a detailed analysis of Bede’s wider body of work. Finally, students will critically evaluate the terminology attached to this period and familiarise themselves with recent debates about the term ‘Anglo-Saxon’.

We look at some fundamental metaphysical questions about the cosmos. A selection of the following topics will be studied:

• Objects: concrete vs. abstract; existence and nothingness
• Sets and mereology
• Properties, Property bearers, Relations
• States of affairs and non-mereological composition
• Modality (including counterfactuals) and possible worlds
• Time, persistence, change, and the non-present

This module explores the political, social, cultural and economic dynamics of colonial encounters, from the rise of the Spanish global empire around 1600 to the late 19th-century Scramble for Africa. 

Focusing on interactions between European imperial powers and societies in the Global South, it examines themes such as race, resistance, religion, governance and transoceanic exchanges across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean Worlds.

The module critically engages with non-Western perspectives as primary sources. You will analyse how colonised peoples navigated, contested and reshaped imperial systems, fostering a nuanced understanding of colonialism’s legacies. Ideal for those seeking to interrogate Eurocentric narratives, this module equips you with the tools to dissect power, agency and cultural hybridity in modern history.

This module explores the social history of modern health, examining key themes such as disease, public health, medical knowledge and the evolution of medical practice.  

Through case studies, you will explore topics like nursing, mental health, psychoanalysis, pharmacy and medical consumerism, while considering the impacts of healthcare on marginalised groups.  

Covering the 19th and 20th centuries, you will delve into the development of health professions, the rise of psychiatry and psychology, and the shifting perceptions of illness, gaining insights into how healthcare has shaped and been shaped by society. 

This module explores the ideas that have shaped Britain’s recent history, examining both the political beliefs of leaders and the cultural representations by artists, novelists and filmmakers.  

Each week, you will analyse key events or artifacts within their social and political contexts, engaging in discussions about how identities and ideologies have evolved since the early 1990s. 

Aristotle declared that “All men by nature desire to know”. But we allegedly live in a post-truth world characterized by fake news, alternative facts, and scorn for expertise. These are major dangers to our way of life, and dealing with them requires epistemology. Epistemology is the study of such topics as knowledge, evidence, and justification.

In this module, we'll explore issues such as: the nature and value of knowledge, the threat of skepticism, the role of testimony in acquiring knowledge, and intellectual virtues and vices. Some questions we will tackle include: What is knowledge? Why should we care about it? What is our justification for believing things? Do we know that we’re not brains in vats?

This module explores key themes in medieval history through the study of individual lives, from kings and warriors to peasants, saints and merchants. 

You will examine a diverse range of figures across different cultures and classes, using various sources such as biographies, literature and legal records.

The module challenges you to consider how we understand medieval life and what it reveals about values, desires and historical significance. Through lectures and student-led seminars, you will delve into the complexities of reconstructing lived experiences in the Middle Ages.

• What is art?
• Is there a relationship between art and ethics?
• What is the relationship between art and emotion?

Together we'll explore these philosophical issues and more. By the end of the module you'll:

• have a good awareness of many of the critical debates in the philosophy of art
• recognise and judge for yourself the strengths and weaknesses of arguments on the issues

This module is worth 20 credits.

This module addresses issues in social metaphysics and social epistemology. We will examine the metaphysics of social kinds and explore different accounts of social kinds that have been offered. We will also examine how the fact that we are situated in a social world can affect what we can or cannot know or understand about ourselves, each other, and the social world itself. We will also address ethical and/or political issues that arise once we take account of social metaphysics and social epistemology.

In particular, we might consider whether there are special kinds of injustices that arise due to our social reality. What is epistemic injustice and how does it relate to social injustice? How do certain privileged groups structure the social world that create and maintain privilege and patterns of ignorance that perpetuate that privilege? What are some obligations that we have, given metaphysical and epistemological concerns we have explored? 

How do science fiction and speculative narratives reshape our understanding of Black history?

This module explores the dynamic intersection of history and imagination by examining how prominent Black historical events and figures are reinterpreted in 20th and 21st-century Afro and Black science-fiction literature. From the haunting legacies of Atlantic Slavery and Colonisation to the enduring struggle for civil rights, we’ll dive into how these creative works provide alternative ways to engage with the Black past, filling the emotional and psychological gaps that traditional historical accounts often leave behind.

You’ll analyse how speculative fiction acts as a space for healing, empowerment, and reimagining the possibilities of the Black experience. Through interactive seminars and independent research, you'll develop a deeper understanding of how creative narratives challenge and enrich our historical perspective.

This module is worth 20 credits. 

We'll examine the Asian philosophical traditions, especially those of India, China, and Japan.

These Asian traditions address familiar philosophical themes - in ethics, epistemology, and aesthetics - but often approach them in ways that seem unfamiliar.

You may well find your culturally inherited presuppositions challenged. This is good! As global power relationships change understanding culture is vital to meaningful communication.

Topics we may cover include:

• Confucianism, Mohism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism the relationship between morality and religion
• etiquette, ethics and aesthetics
• the family and moral life
• social and political philoosophy
• animals, natural environments, and human flourishing
• the nature of ultimate reality and the good life
• the relation of Asian philosophies to the Western tradition

This module is worth 20 credits.

This module offers inspiring and motivating content, drawing from our staff’s diverse research interests and current trends in the philosophical community. You’ll explore topics like the philosophy of video games, the family, AI, the transhumanist movement, deepfakes, and happiness economics, alongside traditional philosophical themes. 

Throughout the module, you’ll get a taste of these topics and demonstrate your understanding through assessments like short exams. You’ll also be encouraged to reflect on your philosophical interests, with the aim of sparking a passion for independent or collaborative research. 

By showcasing the department’s current research, the module aims to inspire interest in contemporary philosophical issues. You’ll gain insights into various specialist topics that you might pursue in further modules or as research projects. The module also introduces diverse research methods in both theoretical and practical philosophy. 

Where does the mind meet the world? In sensory perception.

By perceiving, we become conscious of a reality beyond our minds. Or do we?

Mind and Consciousness explores perception and perceptual consciousness.

It asks question such as:

• Do we really perceive a world beyond our minds?
• What are the theories of perception and perceptual consciousness?
• How do we distinguish different senses – what makes seeing different from hearing?
• Can our perceptions be biased? Do our prejudices change the way we see things?
• Is dreaming perceiving, or does it belong to another category of mind like imagining?

By the end of this module, you'll be able to:

• understand the main positions in the philosophy of perception
• analyse and evaluate rival views on these topics

This module is worth 20 credits.

This module will introduce you to a range of topics in applied ethics, with a focus on either biomedical or business ethics. Through examination of case studies, in-class debates and critical analysis, you will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate complex ethical issues in healthcare and/or business practice. 

You will gain an understanding of: 

• applying ethical reasoning to major practical themes

• debating contemporary and historical problem cases with appreciation for the perspectives of others 

• evaluating key ideas in primary and secondary literature

The group work assessment will require you to engage with others in approach to ethical dilemmas. You will draw on your own and others' lived experiences as examples to evaluate and respond to from an ethical perspective.

This module allows you to ask profound questions about meaning, truth and existence, which are central topics in contemporary philosophy. You'll tackle themes such as meaning and meaningfulness, sense and nonsense, reference, truth and truthmaking, speech acts, paradoxes, vagueness, realism vs. antirealism, conditionals, modality and expressivism. 

Through engaging discussions and critical analysis, you'll explore how these concepts shape our understanding of the world. This module encourages you to think deeply and critically about complex philosophical issues, providing a solid foundation for further study in philosophy.  
 

This module offers a rigorous grounding in formal and philosophical logic, building on the basics covered in Introduction to Theoretical Philosophy. You'll delve deeper into Truth-Functional Logic, First-Order Logic, and Modal Logic, exploring these areas with greater rigour and completeness. 

Key topics include existence, identity, possibility and necessity, along with formal techniques for testing argument validity. You'll also learn to challenge the logical languages studied, developing skills in philosophical logic by raising questions about logic and evaluating alternative logical languages. 

The module aims to provide a clear understanding of formal logic, introduce the basics of philosophical logic, and critically assess possible alternatives. In the process, you’ll enhance your logical reasoning and philosophical inquiry skills. 

Do we have a moral duty to obey the law even when we disagree with it? Is there a difference between mere power and legitimate authority? Under what circumstances, if any, is state coercion legitimate?

This module will explore these and other classic questions in political philosophy. You will critically examine the work of at least one important past political philosopher, such as Thomas Hobbes, Immanuel Kant, Emma Goldman, Peter Kropotkin or Huey P. Newton. Through a combination of primary and secondary readings, discussions and writing assignments, you will develop a nuanced understanding of these thinkers’ contributions to political philosophy and their enduring relevance to the contemporary world.

Key concepts covered may include human nature, social contract, order, liberty, anarchy, consent, policing and political obligation.

This module will introduce you to some of the core debates in moral philosophy. We’ll consider both contemporary and historical philosophical discussions of questions like:

• What makes certain actions right or wrong?
• Is the rightness/wrongness of actions solely a matter of their consequences, or are certain types of acts inherently right or wrong?
• What is the relation between right action and good character?
• Under what conditions is an action to be counted as free, in the sense required for moral responsibility?
• What is it to hold someone morally responsible in the first place? 

This module will explore key concepts and themes in Africana philosophies and religions, paying particular attention to Africana notions of the human person and human life within a spirit-filled cosmos.

After reviewing critiques of Eurocentric conceptions of philosophy and religion by decolonial thinkers such as Okot p’Bitek, Kwasi Wiredu and Sylvia Wynter, we discuss a variety of texts and sources that highlight and elaborate core concepts in indigenous African modes of thought, such as ‘vital force’, ubuntu, destiny and the world. Thereafter, we consider how Africana philosophies and religions offer fresh approaches to addressing various issues in the contemporary world.

The sort of questions we might consider here include:

• How might African accounts of humanity radicalise concepts of gender?
• Are Africana cosmological narratives able to counter heteronormativity?
• Can the philosophy of ubuntu promote environmental justice?
• What do Africana notions of witchcraft disclose about the dangers of human sociality and the possibility of trust?
• Can black humanity be affirmed in ways that refuse the social death of anti-black racism?

Discover the environmental history of the Western World over the past two centuries. The great nature-people stories that have shaped who we are today.

You will examine the history of environmental ideas and our changing and complex attitudes to animals and nature, alongside the history of human impacts on the environment. We will use the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain as case studies. Ultimately, we ask, can environmental history save the world in the 21st century?

Topics include:

• species history and the rewilding debate
• the rise of environmental protection groups
• the role of the state in environmental protection
• the history of pollution and pesticide use
• the National Park movement
• the Nature Reserve and the rise of outdoor leisure and recreation
• the emergence of modern environmentalism and campaigning
• the role of wildlife television and natural history film-making

This module is a must for anyone wanting to pursue a career in the environmental sector.

This module is worth 20 credits

Examine the rise of fascist movements in interwar Europe, following the First World War.

We focus in particular on the cases of Italy and Germany and also look at other cases for comparison (i.e. Spain, Britain, France, and Romania). This in order to understand why certain movements were more popular than others and able to seize power.

We will examine:

• the nature of fascist ideology
• the use of violence
• fascism and masculinity and femininity

We will also analyse the practice of the Fascist and National Socialist governments in power, comparing these with particular reference to repression and attempts to build ‘consent’, gendered policies on ‘race’, and expansion through conquest.

The module ends by considering the Axis and genocide during the Second World War.

This module is worth 20 credits.

This module provides a diverse range of research projects for final-year students. You’ll have the opportunity to plan and execute an ambitious research project on a topic of your choice, working closely with staff and supervisors in the joint enterprise of ‘doing philosophy’. 

During your project, you’ll conduct independent research and collate ideas and information from the sources you examine. You will demonstrate an understanding of the key assumptions of the main protagonists in their research field, recognise the need to engage with those assumptions, and explore the potential problems raised by your own thinking.  

This module examines the myths and legends of the ‘British’ Isles as written about by twentieth-century authors such as JRR Tolkien in Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, and the Silmarillion, and by CS Lewis in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe Series.

You will explore the historiography of British myth-making and whether Tolkien and Lewis were retelling, reinventing or fabricating British mythology. Students will also be invited to explore the foundation of British myths known colloquially within the term ‘The Matter of Britain.’

The module will begin with defining the difference between myths, legends and history and explore issues of chivalry, nobility and ethnicity in Arthurian legends. Students will be encouraged to decolonise these myths, re-interpreting whether they are fantasies, or an exoticisation of something else, such as ethnic groups and gendered politics.

Later parts of this module will explore the myth-making and rituals detailed in the extensive works of antiquarian writers.

What does collective self-government look like? Under what circumstances, and by what means, may we justly rebel against the existing order? Is anarchism defensible?

This module will explore these and other central questions in political philosophy. It will examine the work of at least one important past political philosopher, such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Rosa Luxemburg, Frantz Fanon or Hannah Arendt. Through a combination of primary and secondary readings, discussions and writing assignments, you will develop a nuanced understanding of these thinkers’ contributions to political philosophy and their enduring relevance to the contemporary world.

Key concepts covered may include sovereignty, democracy, dissent, decolonisation, nationalism, slavery and political violence.

This module will introduce you to some central philosophical problems in aesthetics. It encourages your engagement with current views on aesthetic evaluations and has potential as a foundation for a level 3 research topic.

You’ll cover key topics and perspectives of aesthetics in philosophy, such as:

• contemporary views relating to the nature of aesthetics
• the relationship between artworks and other objects of aesthetic concern
• philosophical issues surrounding aesthetics
• critical discussion and evaluation of different philosophical views of aesthetics
• objectivity versus the subjectivity of aesthetic evaluations
• epistemology of aesthetic judgement
• aesthetics of nature
• aesthetics of human beaut
• aesthetics of everyday life

By the end of the module, you will be able to discuss and evaluate different views of aesthetics, explain some current views on the status of aesthetic evaluations, and present the main contemporary viewpoints on key topics in aesthetics.

This module introduces the history of the British imperial expansion in India from the mid eighteenth century, through to the Rebellion in 1857. It covers:

• the rise of trade relations with India
• the growth of territorial rule through war and negotiation with Indian rulers
• resistance to imperial rule through mutiny
• the debate over sati (widow immolation)

This module examines political, social and economic transformations in the Soviet Union from the October Revolution of 1917 to Gorbachev’s attempted reforms and the collapse of the state in 1991. You will look at Russia both from the top down (state-building strategies; leadership and regime change; economic and social policy formulation and implementation) and from the bottom up (societal developments and the changing structures and practices of everyday life). You will usually spend three hours in lectures and seminars each week.

This module investigates the many ways historical research is applied and used in today’s society. 

You’ll explore:

• museums and heritage sites

• TV and film representations 

• education, policymaking, and community history

• media portrayals, memory and commemoration, and the political uses of history

By exploring how history is interpreted and presented for different purposes, you’ll get a better sense of why historical research matters and how it makes an impact today. Using case studies from different times and places, you’ll look at how history shapes areas like health and well-being, heritage, and even how it’s turned into a commodity.

You’ll also take on a collaborative research project, working in teams to tackle a real-world brief. Your goal will be to create an engaging piece that translates complex historical research for a professional or public audience. Alongside this, you'll write an individual report, reflecting on your decisions and the steps you took, while tying in relevant academic ideas. 

This module is worth 10 credits.

This module investigates the varied ways in which historical research can be applied to contemporary issues and current events. We will explore:

• how understanding the past influences present-day decision-making and future planning

• the relevance and use of history as an academic discipline in understanding today's world

• case studies from different historical and geographical settings, illustrating how history is used (and sometimes exploited) to address modern challenges 

You’ll work on a collaborative research project, responding to a real-world brief by using historical examples to contextualise contemporary problems. 

Your project will be designed to communicate complex historical research effectively to a professional or non-academic audience. Alongside this, you’ll produce an individual report that critically reflects on the research process, your decisions, and relevant academic literature.

This module is worth 10 credits.

This module examines the crucial role of the Ukrainian Cossack state (1654-1764) in the formation of the Russian Empire. Focusing on the military alliance between Muscovy and the Cossacks, you will explore how the relationship shaped Russia’s westward imperial expansion. 

The module covers the rise of the Romanov dynasty, Ukraine’s transformation into a colony, the development of Russian imperial ideology, and the role of religious discourse in state-building. Through this study, you will gain insights into the intersection of political, cultural and religious forces in early modern empire-making.

This module surveys and analyses social change in Britain during and after the Second World War, up to the end of the Attlee’s Labour government in 1951. Key issues include:

• changing gender roles and expectations
• the experience and impact of rationing, bombing, conscription, voluntary service and direction by central government
• historiographical debates about whether Britain was united against a common enemy
• propaganda, mass communication and the management of information
• planning for a post-war world, including the creation of the National Health Service and the reform of the education system
• post-war reconstruction of cities
• reactions to the Holocaust, atomic weaponry, returning service personnel, returning Prisoners of War
• post-war austerity
• representations of the period and the construction of memory

The module explores the diversity of ways in which Jews and Christians interacted in middle Ages, seeking to offer alternative views to these of Jews as mere victims in a religious struggle or of economic envy. We will study the complex economic interconnections between the two groups, considering the new approaches to the role of Jewish moneylending and international trade and its connections with structures of power in both communities. The module will also investigate crucial ideas on anti- Semitism and anti-Judaism and will look into case studies of intolerance and conflict between Jews and Christians. Themes to study here are the massacres of Jews in the Rhineland during the First Crusade, the persecution of Jews during the Black Death and the construction of Blood libel and ritual murder accusations. The module will also examine the internal life of the Jewish communities of Western Europe looking at communal organisation and leadership. We will consider differences amongst Jewish communities in different locations of the medieval European landscape in their understanding of Jewish Law and tradition, as well as in their own patterns of interaction with the Christian political and religious authorities in different locations. At the same time, we will explore the common cultural and religious characteristics and the creation of extensive national and supranational Jewish networks. Finally, we will evaluate the historiography on the subject and the changing of perspectives on the history of the Jews in Europe, analysing the debates arisen amongst scholars with their own ideologies, methods and approaches.

The module mixes intellectual, cultural and social history to produce an overview of cultural trends in Britain between c. 1830 and 1901. Key themes include:

• The Victorians, An Overview
• Religion: Sin and Redemption
• Poverty
• Cities
• Sanitation
• Sexuality
• Consumerism and the Mass Market
• Entertainment
• Evolution

This module explores everyday life in the Russian Empire from 1855 to 1917, focusing on how the Empire was governed and the experiences of its subjects. You will examine the state's management of religious, ethnic and national tensions, as well as the process of modernisation. 

Key themes include the development of social identities and the dynamic between rural and urban spaces during this transformative period leading up to the collapse of the autocracy.

This module explores the causes of political and religious instability in England in the century before the Civil War, with a particular focus on the problematic creation of a national identity. We begin by looking at the troubled political and religious legacy inherited by Queen Elizabeth. We then examine some of the forces that united and divided English men and women during the period:

• How did monarchs and local elites seek to justify their authority in this period?
• To what extent were ideas of hierarchy and obedience queried or accepted?
• What impact did such ideas have on daily life?

Areas for consideration include:

• government ideology
• popular beliefs and literacy
• the persecution and toleration of religious minorities
• the politics of the parish
• attitudes towards birth, marriage and death.

This module provides a history of Jewish life in continental Europe and Mandatory Palestine from the genesis of Zionism to the establishment of the state of Israel.

It focuses on perceptions and receptions of Judaism within modern Jewish culture. The module illustrates the intersection of modern Jewish history with the religious culture and thought of Judaism in the late nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth centuries.

We’ll explore Central-, German-speaking Europe and follow the German-speaking Jewish peoples, many of whom emigrated to mandatory Palestine. The module sets out to explain how the contexts of fin de siècle and interwar Central-Europe shaped the history of both diasporic and Israeli Jewish peoples.

Furthermore, through its focus on Jewish religious culture, the module instils an understanding of how historical context influences interpretations of sacred texts. Conversely, it also explicates how forms of religious traditions and belongings impact secular politics and culture.

Finally, the module informs the students as to how Jewish history fits into the broader tapestry of modern global history. We’ll explore this using cultural, social and intellectual history across a range of topics related to modern Jewish history through the lens of religious culture, such as: Zionism; Antisemitism; the German-Jewish artistic and intellectual renaissance of the Weimar and Austrian Republics. It also provides an insight into the history of the Holocaust and its impact.

This module covers two-and-a-half centuries in Japan during the early modern era when the land was governed by a dynasty of Tokugawa shogun rulers. Often characterized as a period of relative stability, it was also a time of profound social, cultural and intellectual change. Lectures and seminars address some of the historical forces that would combine to transform society and lay the foundations for Japan’s subsequent encounters with modernity. Key themes include: the premises of Tokugawa rule, control mechanisms and relations with daimyo lords; the self-imposed policy of seclusion, trade and external relations; transport networks, class mobility and urbanization; the emergence of ‘the Floating World’ and the growth of popular culture; natural disasters, famine and economic crises; the responses of competing schools of thought drawing on Japanese, Chinese and European texts to address problems within Japanese society; the ‘Opening of Japan’ and the collapse of the Tokugawa World.

In 600, the Middle East was divided between two historic empires, Rome and Persia. By 700, however, this longstanding political order had been overthrown by the armies of the new Islamic caliphate. The Islamic conquests had profound and transformative consequences for Middle Eastern society (and beyond).

In this module, you will examine the remarkable speed and success of the conquests, and consider the conquerors’ approaches to managing their vast new territories. Following recent trends in historical research, it will also examine how the non-Muslim majority of the Middle East, including Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians, viewed their new rulers and adjusted to their new situation.

The module will reflect the diversity of the caliphate, drawing upon sources (in English translation) written in languages including Arabic, Greek, Syriac, Pahlavi, and Armenian, in genres ranging from scholarly Islamic histories to Christian and Jewish apocalyptic accounts.

You’ll also focus on the impressive material culture of the period, including monumental architecture such as the Dome of the Rock and the Umayyad Desert Palaces, as well as coinage and inscriptions. It will tackle big questions about cultural interaction, religious belief and belonging, conversion and community formation, and ask what had really changed between 600 and 800?

The discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found, has forced historians to re-evaluate the Anglo-Saxon period and ask new questions about this crucial formative stage of English history. 

The history of much of this period of conversions, conflicts and cultural renaissances is documented by Bede, a monk from Wearmouth-Jarrow in Northumbria (c. 673–735). In 793, the world described to us by Bede was thrown into chaos by a Viking raid on the island monastery of Lindisfarne, an event that some Anglo-Saxons interpreted in apocalyptic terms. The subsequent settlement of Vikings across Northern and Eastern England profoundly changed the social, cultural and economic structures of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

This course covers the period from the beginning of the seventh century to the end of the ninth, ending with the reign of Alfred, the only English king to ever achieve the moniker 'the Great'. 

Doing an arts and humanities degree means you’ll gain the skills which are essential for changing the world we live in. Not only that, you are uniquely positioned to understand people, processes and culture.

This module lets you apply that knowledge to solve a real-life problem. The aim is for you to develop your understanding of your degree, and the range of careers open to you.

You will work in an interdisciplinary team on a real project connected to impact, which we define as our ability to ‘make change happen’. These projects have been designed by individuals, groups and organisations that are looking to make a difference to our world. This might be about sustainability, business, equality, culture, politics or society.

Teams will be given a project brief. You will then be guided through how to shape a project, and how to work as a team and deliver results. This will give you the employment skills and experience to show how you can make an impact as an arts and humanities graduate.

This module is worth 20 credits.

This module involves employability skills training in the Autumn semester followed by a part-time placement (one day a week, or equivalent, up to eight weeks) in an external organisation in the spring semester. The module is aimed at developing hands-on work experience and enhancing employability skills in a workplace relevant to arts graduates. Skills developed during the placement will be intrinsically relevant to various work environments.  

Students will apply for placements in relevant local organisations from an established list created by the faculty placement team, but may also use personal contacts to arrange their own placement, subject to approval. Placements will be provided across a range of sectors relevant to the arts including the creative and cultural industries, media, marketing, heritage and museums, the music industry, education, charitable and third-sector organisations, but are subject to change each year. In the autumn term lectures and workshops will be organised across the faculty, with input by the Careers and Employability Service to provide learning support on professional development and skills assessment, networking, successful applications and interviews, self-presentation and self-reflection.   

Assessment will comprise an online portfolio of materials, including application materials, reflective writing and a research report situating the work and function of the placement organisation in the context of the wider sector of which it is a part. Throughout, students will be encouraged to reflect individually and in groups on their own employability, and plan for their ongoing professional development. 

This module is based around a challenge: how do we use the digital humanities?

You are presented with a series of problems about how we can use the arts and humanities to address some of the major issues we face in technology and society.

For example, the acceleration of technology in both private and public life is immense, but this rapid pace of change should not prevent reflection.

In this module, you consider the major contemporary issues of how technology shapes our present and our future. We respond to these concerns using the specific skillset of the arts and humanities, where we ask: what does it mean to be human?

This module is worth 10 credits.

Community engagement is important in many careers, from politics and social work to marketing and business.

We do not work in a vacuum - our research and activities are linked to individuals and groups across society. By learning to engage with communities, researchers can reach wide audiences, learn from them and collaboratively make a real contribution to overcoming social problems. 

We need to understand how engagement works in order to work collaboratively, respectfully and sustainability with communities.

In this module, we will:

• Explore how our staff and students work with communities – from supporting immigrant communities settling into Nottingham, to engaging with schools to promote literacy and career opportunities
• Discuss how activism and advocacy can become part of academic work
• Explore how community engagement is structured and organised and how we can ensure our work within the arts and humanities has relevance and impact for diverse audiences

This module will prepare you for your future career, by focusing on the key skill of the arts and humanities: our ability to support and engage with those around us.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Explore the histories and legacies of colonisation, alongside the routes to justice through decolonisation.

Using examples from across the globe, we explore the impact of colonisation on society, politics, economics, and culture.

You will consider contemporary examples and a wide range of evidence, sources and perspectives, including from:

• art
• film
• literature
• archive materials and documents
• music and performance

You will also explore the debates around reconciliation, restitution and justice.

Together we will build an interdisciplinary analysis, drawing upon the research of the whole faculty to uncover, assess and deconstruct the practices of colonialism and their implications for our contemporary world.  

This module is worth 10 credits.

Wellbeing, the crisis in mental health care, and clapping for NHS staff during the Covid pandemic are all examples of health humanities. On this module, you will be exploring contemporary challenges in this area.

To build a healthier society, enabling access to healthcare for all, we must consider how people act, behave and build connections.

You will look at:

• how the arts and humanities respond to major issues in health, medicine and wellbeing – i.e. exploring how individuals use art, literature and culture to understand pain and loss, or analysing human behaviour with regard to new medicines and our relationship to health sciences
• topics such as cultural representations of health, places of medical treatment, or the relationship between medicine and emotions

The major challenges in health provision and healthcare can be influenced and directed by the arts and humanities. This module shows you how this field can be a powerful tool for change.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Discover how our world is experienced through language.

We live in a global society, where different languages build our perceptions, ideas and values. In this module, we respect that difference and participate in it.

You will:

• Use multilingualism as a tool to challenge our own thinking and to comprehend the lives of others in society
• Work through etymologies and translations from a wide range of languages, including Russian, Spanish, French and German
• Learn how understanding languages - not just speaking and reading them - can be vital in contributing to our community, enriching your experience, and participating in a global society

No knowledge of any language is needed, as we focus on understanding what it means to live in our multi-lingual world.

This module is worth 10 credits.

Explore how Nottingham creates ideas, identities, culture and products, alongside how you as a student are also ‘Made in Nottingham’.

This module will help you begin shaping your skills for the career you want, drawing upon the way arts and humanities work has transformed the city.

From the entrepreneurs who have set up businesses or those who have created and enriched charities and social projects, to the writers, artists, musicians and teachers who have all been created in Nottingham. We use their experience, their understanding and their skills to help you define your own path for after university.

You will be able to build your profile through this module, develop your own career narrative to use in your future work as well as engage in the variety of opportunities that are open to you as an arts graduate.

Through this module, we’ll address what it means to be ‘Made in Nottingham’.

This module is worth 10 credits.

This module involves the in-depth study of a historical subject from which you will create a 10,000 word dissertation. You will have regular meetings with your supervisor and a weekly one hour lecture to guide you through this task.

Recent dissertation topics have included:

• Richard II, William Shakespeare and the Revolution of 1399
• The Image of the Male Witch in Early Modern Iceland
• Lord Salisbury and the Mediterranean Agreements: Revisiting Anglo-German Relations, 1886-1896
• A Re-evaluation of Prince Lichnowsky's Role as the German Ambassador in London in the July 1914 Crisis
• Interwar British Fascist Movements and Race, 1922-1940
• 'No Country, No Home': The Abandonment of the South Vietnamese by the United States after the Vietnam War
• Visions of Loathing and Desire: Representations of Masculinity in Late Soviet Posters

This module provides a diverse range of research projects for final-year students. You’ll have the opportunity to plan and execute an ambitious research project on a topic of your choice, working closely with staff and supervisors in the joint enterprise of ‘doing philosophy’.

During your project, you’ll conduct independent research and collate ideas and information from the sources you examine. You will demonstrate an understanding of the key assumptions of the main protagonists in their research field, recognise the need to engage with those assumptions, and explore the potential problems raised by your own thinking. 

Explore the impact and complexities of empires throughout history.

This module examines how empires have shaped human politics, culture, society, and economics. We will focus on:

• different forms and structures of empires across a range of geographical and chronological contexts

• the tension between empires and other forms of organisation like kingdoms and nation-states 

• the interplay between imperial power and various identities, from "imperial subjects" to the experiences of the enslaved

Using a variety of primary sources, you’ll analyse how empires have catalysed both collaboration and resistance, and how these dynamics have been interpreted by historians. This module will develop your skills in source analysis, critical thinking, and independent historical research.

This module is worth 20 credits.

Ideas shape how societies understand the world and make decisions about their future. This module explores:

• how different societies develop and challenge their "ideological road maps"

• the origins of ideas, their rise and fall in influence, and their movement across time, space, languages, and cultures

• the relationship between ideas and concepts like identity and community 

Using a variety of sources, such as speeches, books, and images, you’ll learn to study ideas in their historical context. You’ll think critically about how these ideas are created, contested, and reinterpreted. Although Ideas and Ideologies 1 shares themes with Part 2, it offers a unique perspective and does not need to be taken alongside Part 2.

This module is worth 20 credits.

This module will focus on a critical examination of core aspects of Buddhist thinking, with emphasis on some of its basic psychological, spiritual, and metaphysical conceptions.

These include, in particular: the origin and nature of suffering; the no-self thesis; enlightenment; consciousness; experiential knowing; and the doctrine of Emptiness (the lack of inherent nature in all things and impermanence).

This module will help you develop skills in how to communicate philosophy through a variety of different media by exploring two philosophical ideas and their potential applications, and assessing your ability to demonstrate such applications through short projects, including extensive use of peer-to-peer feedback in small groups.

We will look at how philosophy can be communicated through such forms as legal documentation, press releases, presentations, lesson plans, funding bids, posters and short stories

In this module we'll ask questions like:

• How should human beings interact with the non-human natural world?
• Is nature intrinsically valuable, or does it possess value only by being valuable to us?

As part of this we'll cover topics such as:

• the moral status of animals
• the ethics of zoos
• responsibility for climate change
• whether there is any connection between the twin oppressions of women and nature
• the environmental impact of having children
• the ethics of restoring nature after it has been damaged by human development

This module is worth 20 credits.

Politics and truth have always had a complicated relationship. Lies, bullshit, spin, and propaganda are nothing new.

Polarization is on the rise in many democracies and political disagreements have spread to disputes about obvious matters of fact.

But have we really entered the era of 'post-truth' politics? Is debate now framed largely by appeals to emotion disconnected from the facts?

In this module, we'll explore questions such as:

• Should the existence of widespread disagreement in politics make us less confident in our own views?
• Are voters morally or epistemically obligated to vote responsibly?
• Is it rational for citizens to base their political views on group identity rather than reasoned arguments?
• Should we have beliefs about complex policy questions about which we are not experts?
• Is democracy the best form of government for getting at the truth?

This module is worth 20 credits.

Illness, ageing, death and dying are universal experiences. Yet discussion about them often only happens in times of emotional distress.

Together we'll explore philosophical issues related to human mortality in an open, supportive and compassionate way.

As well as a deeper understanding of the issues you will also build capacity to think sensitively and humanely about the human experience of ageing, illness, and dying.

Typical topics might include:

• experiences of being chronically ill
• psychiatry and mental health
• the oppression of ill persons · illness narratives
• the moral and spiritual significance of illness
• the experience of dying
• empathy, grief, and mourning
• death and the meaning of life
• the significance of human mortality to wider philosophical issues and concerns

This module is worth 20 credits.

In society we do things with words. We can use language to lie, to praise, to convince, and to insult. We use words and language to think about sexual consent and sexual desire, and discuss the ethics of sex and love. There are words we use every day (“love”, “sex”, “gender”, “disability”, “porn”) which we might struggle to define.   

This module uses methods from feminist philosophy of language and/or the philosophy of sex to investigate these issues. We will consider some of the ethical and political ramifications of speech and language and how it relates to our everyday lives.   

The focus will vary year to year depending on staff availability and research interests. For an idea of what you will study, representative topics include: 

• how we should define and use certain terms (e.g. ‘woman’, ‘disability’ ‘love’ ‘sex’ ‘consent’ ‘sexual desire’ ‘queer’)

• accounts of what it is to lie

• accounts of the social effects of language (slurs, dog whistles and propaganda)

• the harms of speech and how to balance those with the right to speech

• the different ways in which people can be silenced
  

• the ethics of pornography

• the ethics of various sexual preferences (e.g. BDSM, racial preferences, gendered preferences)

This module will consider mind, psychology, and mental health from a philosophical angle. The module will cover a range of exciting and fundamental topics in the philosophy of mind and psychology (chosen from topics such as, the social mind, animal minds, the nature of consciousness, the mind-body problem, the emotions, imagination, pain, will and action, belief, perception, mind as machine, and artificial intelligence - selected topics will vary from year to year). We will always ask how these relate to mental health.

But the module will also have a more specific focus on mental health as we will take the tools of philosophy of mind and psychology to mental health: we will consider how philosophy of mind and psychology can help us better understand mental health, but also how reflection on mental health can impact work in philosophy of mind and psychology.

So the module will also cover content chosen from topics and areas such as the nature of mental health (and mental illness), delusion, thought-insertion, therapy, self-deception and the philosophy of specific mental disorders (for example., addiction, schizophrenia, depression) - specific topics varying from year to year.

So, in sum the module will combine focus on specific topics in:

• philosophy of mind and psychology (with a mental health angle)
• philosophy of mental health (with a philosophy of mind and psychology angle).

This module covers questions such as:

• What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
• Can artificial intelligence be creative?
• Can artificial intelligence understand, think or have phenomenal consciousness?
• What would a paradigm shift in the way we understand intelligence and artificial intelligence look like?
• What are the ethical constraints on the research and methods of artificial intelligence?
• What are the dangers associated with the wider use of AI in human society?
• Who is responsible for actions/decisions taking by AI systems or algorithms'', 'How should we interact with AI systems?

This module is about the ideal of authenticity, roughly: The ideal of being true to oneself. Questions on the agenda might include:

• What is it to be an authentic person and why think that authenticity is a virtue? 
• What is it to have an identity? Should we understand that in terms of second-order endorsement of first-order motives? 
• How is acting freely, responsibly, or autonomously related to acting authentically, if at all? 
• Does being authentic require a capacity for radical Libertarian freedom?
• Is the authentic agent someone who need adhere to moral norms, as those are commonly understood?
• Is acting authentically an antidote to nihilism?
• Is the authentic agent someone who need reject the existence of God?

We will explore questions like those a-historically, but we will also look at how they have been handled by certain historical thinkers, especially the 19th and 20th Century Existentialists. Historical thinkers liable to be on the agenda include:

• Kierkegaard
• Schopenhauer
• Nietzsche
• Heidegger 
• Sartre
• Beauvoir
• Fanon

Any reassessments will take the form of coursework.  

Module description to be confirmed.

Explore how warfare has shaped societies throughout history.

This module investigates:

• the causes, consequences, experiences, and memories of conflict using diverse approaches: military, political, social, cultural, and imperial

• the impact of factors like age, gender, class, race, and sexuality on the experience of war 

• the humanitarian consequences of conflict and the processes of reconstruction, remembrance, and commemoration

Using a range of sources - from official records to personal accounts and visual media. You’ll uncover the lived experiences of war. We will also consider how various actors, from social movements to individuals and states, have resisted or reimagined conflict. 

This module encourages critical thinking about the philosophical and ideological debates that surround war and peace. Peace and Conflict 2 addresses themes similar to Part 1 but from a new perspective and does not require prior completion of Part 1.

This module is worth 20 credits. 

How has warfare shaped the world we live in today?

This module dives into the complex history of conflict, exploring:

• the causes, consequences, and lasting memories of wars through different lenses: military, political, social, cultural, and imperial

• how factors like age, gender, class, race, and sexuality shape individual experiences of war 

• the lived reality of conflict, its humanitarian impact, and how societies rebuild and remember

We’ll analyse a variety of sources - from government records to personal diaries and striking visuals, to understand the human side of war. You'll also examine how different groups and individuals, from states to grassroots movements, have resisted or reimagined conflict. 

We’ll explore the deep questions that surround peace and war, giving you a nuanced understanding of why wars occur, why they inspire both support and opposition, and how their legacies continue to influence us today. Peace and Conflict 1 is a standalone module that pairs well with Part 2 but can be taken on its own.

This module is worth 20 credits. 

What happens when societies face moments that change everything?

This module dives into the transformative power of crises, revolutions, and ruptures in history. You'll explore:

• dramatic shifts that break ties with the past, from political upheavals and cultural transformations to economic collapses and public health emergencies

• the dual nature of these periods, where destruction is often paired with hope and new possibilities emerge 

• critical points in time when familiar hierarchies, customs, and beliefs are challenged, and entirely new futures become imaginable

Through analysing a variety of primary sources, you’ll uncover how both everyday people and elites experienced these turbulent times. You'll tackle big questions about change and continuity, identity and memory, and how history is made. Crisis, Revolution, and Rupture 1 can be taken on its own or alongside Part 2, each offering unique perspectives on upheaval.

This module is worth 20 credits.

How do moments of upheaval reshape the world?

In this module, you’ll dive into the intense periods of crisis, revolution, and rupture that have accelerated change throughout history. You’ll explore:

• the forces that cause societies to break from the past and envision new futures

• the paradoxes of crisis moments, where despair can give way to hope and reconstruction 

• how established orders, beliefs, and hierarchies crumble under pressure, making room for new possibilities

Using diverse primary sources and different historical approaches, you’ll analyse the impact of these transformative events on political, cultural, and social structures. You'll grapple with questions of change and continuity, identity and memory, and the long-term consequences of upheaval.

Crisis, Revolution, and Rupture 2 offers a unique perspective on these themes, distinct from Part 1, and can be taken on its own.

This module is worth 20 credits. 

Examine the complexities and impact of empires throughout history.

This module continues to explore the role of empires in shaping human politics, culture, society, and economics. We will focus on:

• the tension between empires and other forms of organisation, such as kingdoms and nation-states

• the diverse forms and structures empires have taken across different geographical and chronological contexts 

• the intricate relationships between imperial power, identity, authority, and resistance

Using a wide range of primary sources, you’ll investigate empires from a specific historical, geographical, or methodological perspective. The module will develop your ability to interpret and critically evaluate primary sources, relate them to historical debates, and think conceptually about the issues at hand. Although this module covers themes similar to Empires 1, it provides a fresh perspective and does not require prior completion of Part 1.

This module is worth 20 credits.

Ideas function like road maps, guiding societies on where they are and where they might go. This module examines:

• how different societies create and reshape their "ideological road maps" over time

• the origins and evolution of ideas, their influence, and how they move across different historical and cultural contexts

• the interplay between ideas and concepts such as identity and community 

We will explore how these ideas are contested, mediated, and reinterpreted using a variety of sources like speeches, books, and images. This approach will help you think critically about the ideologies shaping the past and present. Ideas and Ideologies 2 covers themes similar to Part 1 but from a distinct historical, geographical, and methodological perspective, and does not need to be taken with Part 1.

This module is worth 20 credits.

Whose history gets told? This module dives into the stories and experiences of groups whose voices have often been overlooked or marginalised throughout history. We will explore:

• how individuals and communities on the fringes of power interacted with the state and broader society

• perspectives on marginalisation, including religious practices, sexual orientation, gender, and race or ethnicity

• the choices historians make regarding sources, methodologies, and approaches to bring these voices into the historical narrative - or sometimes push them back out 

You’ll engage with various primary sources and consider how marginalised voices have been represented or omitted in historical accounts. While Voices in the Margins 1 shares themes with Part 2, it provides a unique perspective and does not need to be taken alongside Part 2.

This module is worth 20 credits.

Whose history gets told? This module explores the stories and experiences of groups whose voices have often been overlooked or marginalised throughout history. We will focus on:

• how individuals and communities on the fringes of power interacted with the state and broader society

• various perspectives on marginalisation, including religious practices, sexual orientation, gender, and race or ethnicity

• the decisions historians make about sources, evidence, and methodologies to bring these voices into or out of historical narratives 

You’ll work with a variety of primary sources, exploring how different groups have been represented - or omitted - in historical accounts. While Voices in the Margins 2 covers themes similar to Part 1, it offers a unique perspective and does not need to be taken alongside Part 1.

This module is worth 20 credits.

There is perhaps no more vivid example of the exercise of state power over individuals than through the institution of criminal law. This power relationship raises a host of important philosophical questions, such as:

• Is there a general obligation to obey the law? If so, what is the basis for this obligation?
• What sorts of acts should be criminalised, and why?
• What does it mean for someone to be responsible for a crime, or for the state to hold someone responsible?
• Is criminal punishment justified? If so, why?
• What is the proper role for the presumption of innocence: Who must presume whom to be innocent of what? 
• Is the state ever justified in imposing legal restrictions on offenders even after they have completed their punishment?
• How should the criminal law function in the international context?

We'll look at thinking from across history, from seminal figures such as Plato, Bentham, and Kant, to more contemporary philosophers such as Hart, Hampton, Duff, and others.

No experience of criminal law necessary. Ideal for both philosophers and practitioners.

This module is worth 20 credits.

Module description to be confirmed.

This module offers a deep and critical examination of some of the philosophical systems developed by Early Modern or Late Modern thinkers. You will focus on the works of one or more philosophers from these eras, such as Spinoza, Leibniz, Anne Conway, or Marx. Together we will engage in a detailed and critical analysis of their original texts, exploring and evaluating the groundbreaking ideas introduced during this time - ideas that continue to influence contemporary philosophical debates.

Indicative topics include:

• Pantheism
• Substance monism
• Monadology
• Panpsychism
• Idealism
• Determinism
• Materialism
• Ideology

In this module, students will be invited to join a member of the UoN Philosophy Dept as they engage in a current research project within moral philosophy.

Topics covered will vary from year to year, as convenors and their research projects change. However, past projects have included a deep dive into the prospects of Utilitarianism - considering whether it has the resources to match and explain the complexity of our ethical ideas.

Future projects may include an assessment of principled moral theories, involving in-depth analysis of rule-consequentialism, contractualism, the Ideal Worlds objection and Rossian pluralism.

In this module, you will be invited to join a member of the UoN Philosophy Department as they engage in a current research project within political philosophy. Topics covered will vary from year to year, as convenors and their research projects change. Past projects have included: 

• an examination of the notion of moral and political equality, considering what it means to say that we are all one another’s equals
• what constitutes the proper demands of an egalitarian society
   

Future projects may include, for example, an in-depth examination of Rawls’s Theory of Justice, together with that of his leading critics including Robert Nozick and Gerry Cohen. 

What is the nature of the world? How can we come to know the world? Can we know the world at all? These are some central questions of philosophy, which Ancient Greek philosophers were amongst the first to articulate. This module explores how Ancient Greek philosophers posed and responded to the major questions of metaphysics and epistemology and how later philosophers have received and interpreted those answers. 

You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of Ancient Greek approaches to the relationship between mind and world. In the process, you will have opportunity for close scrutiny of key texts and you’ll be encouraged to develop your interpretation and analytical skills.  

Topics and may include:  

• Presocratic Philosophy 
• Heraclitus 
• Parmenides 
• The Sophistic movement 
• Plato and Platonism 
• Socrates and the Socratic Schools 
• Aristotle 
• Epicurus and Epicureanism 
• Stoicism 
• Academic and Pyrrhonian Scepticism 
• Plotinus and Neoplatonism 
• Pythagoreanism 

This module will cover a selection of topics in contemporary metaethics. You will track the key moves in the development of metaethics, while also interrogating the assumptions made about the subject throughout its development. You’ll draw on some work in non-Western metaethics to challenge the metaethical ‘cannon’ and look at key areas such as moral realism and antirealism and moral motivation.  

Each year, the module will cover a selection of the following topics: 

• moral psychology: what is it to be motivated to do something? What is a moral agent? 
• morality and self-interest: what are the connections between morality and self-interest? Do we always have reason to be moral? 
• moral realism: why might we think moral facts exist? What might be the different ways of understanding moral facts? 
• moral anti-realism: if there are no objective moral facts, how should we understand our moral practice? 
• metaethics and God: divine command and desire theories 
• moral semantics: what is the distinctive meaning of ethical terms? Can ethical terms be defined? 

This advanced module explores the historical basis and justification for the role that principles such as simplicity and elegance play in science. In particular, you will explore how – if at all – simplicity and elegance are related to epistemic and predictive success.

You will critically examine the roles of simplicity and elegance as guiding principles in scientific inquiry, drawing on historical and contemporary examples. In the process, you will also examine the reasons that philosophers and scientists from different traditions and time periods have given for thinking that simplicity and elegance are, or are not, virtues of good scientific theories.

Whether dancing with siblings, or completing an exam, or kissing our loved ones goodbye as we set off on journeys of self-discovery, all aspects of our lives are ripe for analysis. 
 

You will explore fundamental questions about the nature and purpose of the different elements of our lives and how we live them. Social and political philosophy can be thought to be interested only in the state and its laws, but we will take seriously the idea that the ‘personal’ is philosophical. In doing so we will transgress the boundaries of aesthetics, ethics, political theory, social philosophy and bring to bear whatever philosophical tools seem helpful.   
 

This subject matter will be explored either via examination of many different aspects or via focus on a particular area. Topics will vary each year but may include: 

• philosophy of leisure and play 
• philosophy of education 
• philosophy of family 
• philosophy of work 
• philosophy of sex 
   

Emphasis will be placed on presenting different concepts and arguments as resources to critically understand, and constructively engage with, life and living. This will be facilitated through engagement with classic and/or contemporary philosophical texts and well as own lived experience and/or a wider selection of academic and popular texts and media.