INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

Module Summary

• Examines the historical development of Western philosophy from ancient Greece to the modern era.
• Situates philosophers within their historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts.
• Encourages critical reflection on the philosophical canon and its exclusions.
• Develops skills in close reading and interpretation of philosophical texts.
• Provides foundational knowledge for further study in philosophy, politics, law, sociology, and social sciences.

Module Objectives

• Introduce students to key thinkers in the Western philosophical tradition.
• Explain how Western philosophy developed as a distinct approach to philosophical enquiry.
• Contextualise canonical philosophers while recognising excluded or marginalised voices.
• Enable students to evaluate the strengths and limitations of the philosophical canon.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate understanding of the views of the philosophers studied.
• Explain the historical contexts in which philosophical ideas developed.
• Construct clear and well-reasoned philosophical arguments.
• Read and analyse philosophical texts critically and attentively.
• Respond effectively to central ideas in Western philosophical thought.

Skills & Learning Objectives

• Develop critical awareness of assumptions underlying philosophical and scientific arguments.
• Identify and analyse conceptual problems in philosophical and professional contexts.
• Apply analysis and synthesis to solve complex theoretical problems.
• Locate, evaluate, and use information from diverse academic sources.

Assessment

• Essay (2,000 words) — 50%
• Assignment (individual & group work) — 50%

Private Study & Progress Monitoring

• Structured private study supports lectures, tutorials, and written assessments.
• Formative feedback is provided through class discussion, tutorials, and office hours.
• Students may submit a formative mid-semester essay for written feedback.