PP1ML-The Meaning of Life

Module Provider: Philosophy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Luke Elson
Email: luke.elson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

What is the meaning of life? This is perhaps the most important philosophical question we can ask. What is the answer? Indeed, what is the question really asking? In this module, we seek the answers. Along the way, we will consider a series of fascinating questions which promise to enlighten our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. What makes life worth living? Is there any reason to fear death? Could life in artificial reality be better or more fulfilling than life in the real world?

Reading:

A list of required readings will be posted online. All or nearly all core readings are available electronically.

Aims:

Students will gain an understanding of different perspectives on the meaning of life. A mix of lectures, class discussions, online content, assignments, feedback and structured reading will be used to enable you to reflectively and critically engage with these perspectives. In discussions and in your assignments, you will have the chance to develop, explain and defend your own understanding of the meaning of life. The ideas you engage with on this course provide an excellent introduction to many foundational issues across many topics in philosophy, as they include important topics in Ethics, Biomedical Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, Political Philosophy, and many others. Moreover, the ideas you engage with in this course, and the reflective and critical thinking skills you develop in the process, will be important not just in your other modules, but throughout the rest of your life!

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module you will:

• Understand a variety of perspectives on the meaning of life, including perspectives from outside of philosophy and from different philosophical traditions.


• Understand a number of foundational topics in philosophy and particularly value theory.


• Be able to identify and critically engage with different perspectives on the meaning of life.


• Have developed your ability to organize material and articulate arguments effectively, both orally and in writing.


• Have developed your ability to work effectively in groups to research and present collective findings using appropriate technologies. 

Additional outcomes:

The module aims to:

• Develop critical and reflective thinking skills.


• Develop independent study skills such as use and selection of sources.


• Develop an awareness of virtues of collaborating across disciplinary boundaries through encountering the ways that philosophical ideas play a role in many areas such as psychology and medicine, and the ways that input from other fields can help us make progress in answering philosophical questions. 

Outline content:

This module addresses the issue of the meaning of life from a number of different perspectives. We will begin by considering some of the different ways we might interpret the question before moving on to consider a series of answers. Much of the discussion will be grounded in real world examples and ‘thought experiments’.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Each week, there will be a two-hour lecture and a one hour seminar. The lecture will primarily consist of a presentation from the module convenor, but may also include other activities such as quizzes, surveys, open discussion, and group work. The seminars will primarily involve group-led discussion based upon the required and further readings and any further materials provided in the seminar or lecture. Students will each be expected to provide an oral presentation in the seminars. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:	170
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	90
Class test administered by School	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:
N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1st assignment: 40%

2nd assignment: 50%

Class Test: 10% 

Formative assessment methods:

• Online activities (e.g. quizzes, short writing assignments, surveys)


• Presentations in seminars.


• Peer assessment of essay of plans and writing by other students.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Written assignment.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 21 September 2023