Postgraduate Studies

Philosophy
Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

Contents
Introduction to Philosophy 03
Programmes at a glance 07
Postgraduate Taught Programmes 08
Postgraduate Research Opportunities 13
Staff Research Interests 14
Research Groups 14
Module Summaries 15
Admissions Information 18

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy
Our Department offers a distinctive combination
of unusual philosophical diversity in a close-knit
and friendly atmosphere, with excellent staff-
student relations.
RANGE OF EXPERTISE
Members of the Department publish and
lecture in a wide range of philosophical
areas, including: Logic and Philosophy
of Language; Metaphysics; Ancient
Philosophy; Philosophy of Mind; Moral
and Political Philosophy; Philosophy of
Mathematics; Aesthetics; Buddhism
and Indian Philosophy; Environmental
Philosophy; Feminist Philosophy;
Continental Philosophy; History of
Philosophy and Literary Theory.
MASTERS PROGRAMMES
Our MA programmes comprise: MA
Philosophy; MA Philosophy as a Way
of Life; MA Art, Aesthetics and Cultural
Institutions; and MA Metaphysics,
Language and Mind.
Our recently introduced programme in Art,
Aesthetics and Cultural Institutions draws
on expertise from across Liverpool, which
has the highest density of art galleries and
museums outside London, as well as
from within the Department and the wider
University. We have also introduced a
new MA in Metaphysics, Language and
Mind, which offers the opportunity to
explore central topics in analytical
philosophy in depth.
INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED
The Department has an international
reputation for its work in Philosophy
of Language, Metaphysics, Philosophy
of Mind, History of Philosophy,
Environmental Philosophy, Continental
Philosophy, Feminist Philosophy, and
the Philosophy of Art.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
STRONG POSTGRADUATE
COMMUNITY
Our postgraduate programmes provide an
excellent opportunity to study in an open,
thriving and stimulating environment.
Postgraduate members of the Department
have their own weekly Graduate Seminar
Group and there is a flourishing Philosophy
Colloquium. The Department is situated in
building 143 (map reference D3) on the
Campus Map, www.liv.ac.uk/maps/
liverpooluniversity-campus-map.pdf
This is a large eighteenth century house
near to the University Library with good
accommodation for research students.
ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
For details on how to apply for a
programme, please refer to page 18.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Admission to our programmes normally
requires a 2:1 Honours degree, or
equivalent, in a relevant field. MPhil/PhD
programmes require that you submit a
research proposal detailing a research
topic in an area in which the Department
can provide expert supervision.
INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Applications from international students
are welcome. International qualifications
will be evaluated in line with the National
Recognition Information Centre (NARIC)
guidelines.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
QUALIFICATIONS
All applicants must have reached a
minimum required standard of English
language, and are required to provide
evidence of this. Qualifications accepted
by the University include GCSE English;
GCE O level English; AS Level English;
A Level English Language; IELTS; TOEFL;
Cambridge Proficiency etc. Please see
www.liv.ac.uk/international/countries/
index.htm for a full list.
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy
TYPICAL REQUIREMENT
IELTS 6.5
TOEFL iBT 88-89
International Higher Level
Baccalaureate (Grade 5)
Hong Kong Use of C
English AS level
INDIA Standard XII 70% or above
from Central
and Metro
State Boards
WAEC C6
If you meet our other academic
requirements but do not achieve the
required level of English, it is possible
to come and study at Liverpool on the
University’s summer academic English
programmes.
If you need to increase your IELTS
score by a grade of 0.5 (e.g. you need
to improve from 6.0 to 6.5) you should
attend the six week course.
If you need to increase your IELTS
score by a grade of 1.0 (e.g. you need
to improve from 5.5 to 6.5) you should
attend the ten week course.
If you need to increase your IELTS
score by a band of 1.5 (e.g. you need
to improve from 4.5 to 6.0) you should
attend the 16 week course.
If you need to increase your IELTS
score by a band of 2.0 (e.g. you need
to improve from 4.0 to 6.0) you should
attend the 20 week course.
See www.liv.ac.uk/international/
countries/index.htm for details. If you
require additional English language training
during your study, the University is able
to provide tuition and arrange IELTS tests
through its English Language Unit, details
of which are available at www.liv.ac.uk/elu
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

FINANCIAL SUPPORT CAREER OPTIONS CONTACTING THE DEPARTMENT

Information on sources of funding may be Our programmes aim to equip students OF PHILOSOPHY
obtained by visiting the University web with the general and widely applicable Professor Richard Gaskin
pages (www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/ analytical, argumentative and problem- T:+44 (0)151 794 2733
money/funding.htm) or by contacting the solving skills and abilities valued by F:+44 (0)151 794 2789
Department. Please note that application employers. Some of our postgraduate E: r.m.gaskin@liv.ac.uk
deadlines may apply to scholarships. students have gone on to a career in
academic Philosophy, but a variety of Initial enquiries:
Postgraduate Taught Student Awards careers are open to those obtaining Liz Caine
A range of awards, scholarships and postgraduate Philosophy degrees, T: +44 (0)151 794 2786
bursaries are available for those including business, management, the law, E: philos@liv.ac.uk
undertaking postgraduate study at the the media, the arts, computing, the Civil www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy
University. See www.liv.ac.uk/study/ Service and teaching. A recent article by
postgraduate/money/scholarships.htm Professor Stephen Clark on ‘Philosophy
for more information. and Everyday Employment’ may be
viewed online at www.liv.ac.uk/
International Students philosophy/employment.htm
The University of Liverpool administers and
participates in many scholarship schemes
for international students. The majority of
the scholarships are awarded on the basis
of academic merit rather than hardship and
students must normally hold an offer of a
place on a course before they can apply.
More details of all of these awards are listed
on www.liv.ac.uk/international/money-
and-scholarships/scholarships

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

One of the best things about Liverpool’s Philosophy

Department is the flexibility in the way my PhD
studies are structured which allows me the freedom to
choose my own working style and set my own targets
and objectives after discussion with my supervisor,
which means I can work at a pace that suits me that
is productive and allows me to fit my research in
around less flexible aspects of my life like my part-
time job. My greatest pleasure, is being able to
participate in discussions with my colleagues and
lecturers on any philosophical issue. The strength of
character of individuals within the department, the
variety of subjects available for debate makes for an
endlessly rewarding and stimulating experience.
RICHARD DAVNALL
PHD PHENOMENALISM AND QUANTUM THEORY, PHILOSOPHY

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

School of the Arts

The School of the Arts provides world-class
teaching and cutting-edge research in deep
and creative areas of human meaning - Art and
Aesthetics, Architecture and Design, Film, English
Literature, English Language, Communication
and Media Studies, Music, Ethics, Philosophy and
Religion. We offer you a doubly rich environment:
externally, following Liverpool’s year as European
Capital of Culture in 2008 and in collaboration
with leading arts institutions such as Tate Liverpool,
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra,
FACT, The Reader Organisation, The Playhouse
and Everyman Theatres, and National Museums
Liverpool; and internally, in a rich inter-disciplinary
setting that brings support, sharing and stimulus to
a wide variety of postgraduates, with links to further
initiatives in creativity, health and well being.
The School comprises the following areas of study:
Architecture
Communication and Media
English
Music
Philosophy

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

Programmes at a glance
Programme Major Page
code code Full-time Part-time number

POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT PROGRAMMES

Art, Aesthetics and Cultural Institutions MA
Full-time MA/AACI PLAA 1y 08
Part-time MA/AACI/P PLAA 2y 08
Philosophy MA
Full-time MA/PHILOS PLMA 1y 10
Part-time MA/PHILOS/P PLMA 2y 10
Philosophy as a Way of Life MA
Full-time MA/PWL PLWL 1y 11
Part-time MA/PWL/P PLWL 2y 11
Metaphysics, Language and Mind MA
Full-time MA/MLM MLM 1y 12
Part-time MA/MLM/P MLM 2y 12
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
MPhil
Full-time MPHIL/HS/F PLMR 1-4y 13
Part-time MPHIL/HS/P PLMR 2-6y 13
PhD
Full-time PHD/HS/F PLPR 2-4y 13
Part-time PHD/HS/P PLPR 4-7y 13

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

Postgraduate Taught Programmes

Art, Aesthetics and PROGRAMME OUTLINE These skills are developed in a Research
Cultural Institutions MA This exciting Philosophy Masters Skills and Placement module which
programme offers the opportunity to study includes an internship either within an
Full-time art, history of art, aesthetics, design, film external cultural institution or in the
Programme code: MA/AACI University’s own art gallery and museum.
and other related academic subjects, as
Major code: PLAA
well as the chance to consider the theory
Programme length: 1 year and practice of curating and museology. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Part-time The programme is structured around five
A key component of the programme is core (compulsory) modules: two main
Programme code: MA/AACI/P topics modules, in which members of
active collaboration between Philosophy,
Major code: PLAA
CAVA (Centre for Architecture and staff teach weekly seminars on their own
Programme length: 2 years
Visual Arts) and local cultural institutions research interests in aesthetics and the
Programme contact: including Tate Liverpool, National Museums theory and history of art, Contemporary
Dr Yiota Vassilopoulou Liverpool, Static, and Culture Campus. Curating (taught at Tate Liverpool), a
E: yiota@liv.ac.uk Tate Liverpool contributes a module on Research Skills and Placement module
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy Contemporary Curating. This collaboration and a supervised Dissertation over the
creates an academic environment in summer. Students also take two elective
which students can grasp the practical modules, chosen from a list of relevant
application of theory and, if they wish, modules available in the Department and
develop more practice based skills. across the University.

Credits (180 Credits

Module Code Module Title Semester to be taken in total)

Core modules
PHIL755 Main Topics I 1 30
PHIL758 Research Skills and Placement 1 15
PHIL756 Main Topics II 2 30
PHIL759 Contemporary Curating 2 15
PHIL706 Dissertation 3 60
Elective modules
PHIL725 Philosophy and Literature 1 15
PHIL757 Philosophy of Film 1 15
PHIL716 Aesthetics 2 15
PHIL760 Key Texts in Art Theory 2 15

See pages 15-17 for module summaries.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

The thing that most appealed to me about this course

was the mixture of the practical and theoretical.
Coming from an undergraduate degree in Art History,
I didn’t want to limit myself to just focusing on issues
of curating or museum studies, I wanted to learn more
about the philosophy of art and aesthetics too. This
MA meant I was able to pursue an area of academic
interest and gain valuable work experience. The
department facilitates an internship at one of the
cultural institutions in Liverpool and our course
co-ordinator also arranged a series of talks by
practitioners in the Arts sector which allowed us
to learn more about their experiences and issues
prevalent in the Arts.
ZAINAB DJAVANROODI
MA ART, AESTHETICS AND
CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS,
PHILOSOPHY

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

Philosophy MA PROGRAMME OUTLINE These modules consist of regular

This degree provides an excellent graduate seminars and a lecture course.
Full-time opportunity to exploit expertise on Examination of this programme is mostly
Programme Code: MA/PHILOS by semester essay. Students must also
the very wide range of philosophical
Major Code: PLMA
topics available in this Department. complete the Research Skills and
Programme Length: 1 year Dissertation components of the
Part-time It is an ideal programme of preparation programme.
Programme Code: MA/PHILOS/P for research in Philosophy, as well as
Major Code: PLMA an attractive course for those who want PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Programme Length: 2 years guided study of Philosophy beyond the This 12-month programme consists of a
undergraduate level. Main seminars are number of one-semester taught modules,
Programme contact: held weekly and combine throughout the two main seminar modules and a
Professor Richard Gaskin two-semester research skills module
the semesters to form a study of six
E: philos@liv.ac.uk (which includes such transferable skills
philosophical areas, drawn from the
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy
research interests of the members of as logic/reasoning and presentation of
staff. In addition, students select three papers), and a supervised dissertation
elective modules, chosen from the over the summer. Students take two
range of specialisms on offer. elective modules in the first semester and
one in the second semester, or vice versa.

Credits (180 Credits

Module Code Module Title Semester to be taken in total)

Core modules
PHIL703 Research Skills 1&2 15
PHIL704 Main Seminar I 1 30
PHIL705 Main Seminar II: Themes in Analytic Philosophy 2 30
PHIL706 Dissertation 3 60
Elective modules (subject to change)
PHIL709 Philosophy of Mind 1 15
PHIL715 Philosophy of Religion 1 15
PHIL719 Themes in Political Philosophy 2 15
PHIL725 Philosophy and Literature 1 15
PHIL726 Indian Philosophy 1 15
PHIL735 Early Modern Philosophy I 1 15
PHIL742 Wittgenstein 1 15
PHIL737 Plato and Aristotle 1 15
PHIL746 Philosophy of Mathematics 1 15
PHIL757 Philosophy of Film 2 15
PHIL710 Philosophy of Language 2 15
PHIL712 Theory of Knowledge 2 15
PHIL716 Aesthetics 2 15
PHIL727 Symbolic Logic 2 15
PHIL732 Existentialism 2 15
PHIL737 Plato and Aristotle 2 15
PHIL739 Moral Philosophy 2 15
PHIL761 The Neoplatonists 2 15
PHIL749 Philosophy and Spirituality 2 15
PHIL717 Kant and After 2 15
PHIL728 Metaphysics 2 15

See pages 15-17 for module summaries.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

Philosophy as a Way of Life MA PROGRAMME OUTLINE a cure for the body, an analogy that is to be
The aim of this pathway is to rearticulate found in all the world’s great philosophical
Full-time ancient conceptions of philosophy as a traditions, though used to different effect
Programme Code: MA/PWL
way of life within contemporary analytical within each. Students following this
Major Code: PLWL pathway will be well prepared to pursue
and continental environments. Its rationale
Programme Length: 1 year is the recent resurgence of interest in research in related areas of philosophy.
Part-time such conceptions, and the associated
Programme Code: MA/PWL/P concepts of “happiness” and “well-being”. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Major Code: PLWL This work has led to a deeper The MA in Philosophy as a Way of Life
Programme Length: 2 years understanding of philosophical practice is structured around six core modules
in the context of a well-led life. A particular (including a Dissertation on an aspect
Programme contact: Dr Clare Carlisle of philosophy as a way of life, the bulk of
E: carlisle@liv.ac.uk focus of the pathway will be to explore
the analogy between philosophy as a which will be written over the summer up
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy to the end of the programme) and three
treatment for the soul and medicine as
elective modules totalling 45 credits.

Credits (180 Credits

Module Code Module Title Semester to be taken in total)

Core modules
PHIL703 Research Skills 1&2 15
PHIL744 Kierkegaard: Philosophy of Becoming 1 15
PHIL762 The Hellenistic Philosophers 1 15
PHIL749 Philosophy and Spirituality 2 15
PHIL761 The Neoplatonists 2 15
PHIL706 Dissertation 3 60
Elective modules
PHIL726 Indian Philosophy 1 15
PHIL732 Existentialism 2 15
PHIL737 Plato and Aristotle 1 15
PHIL739 Moral Philosophy 2 15

See pages 15-17 for module summaries.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

Metaphysics, Language PROGRAMME OUTLINE Core Topics is intended to provide

and Mind MA This programme offers students the students with a background in some
opportunity to study philosophy within central topics in analytic philosophy
Full-time the analytic tradition, specifically in relation relating to metaphysics, language, and
Programme Code: MA/MLM
to themes in metaphysics, language and mind, primarily by focusing on these
Major Code: PLMA mind. As well as being a rewarding final topics as they appear in classic texts in the
Programme Length: 1 year degree for those with an interest in discipline. Themes in Analytic Philosophy
Part-time contemporary analytic philosophy, focuses more specifically on contemporary
Programme Code: MA/MLM/P it is an ideal preparation for research in debates in analytic philosophy relating to
Major Code: PLMA philosophy, providing as it does a solid metaphysics, language, and mind, and
Programme Length: 2 years grounding in the predominant Anglo- is driven by research interests of the
Programme contact: American approach to the discipline. contributing staff.
Professor Richard Gaskin
E: philos@liv.ac.uk Two dedicated modules lie at the heart of PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy the programme: Core Topics in Analytic This 12-month programme consists of a
Philosophy and Themes in Analytic number of one-semester taught modules,
Philosophy. These are held in consecutive the two main seminar modules Core
semesters and are conducted weekly in a Topics in Analytic Philosophy and Themes
two-hour, mostly seminar-style session. in Analytic Philosophy, along with a two-
semester research skills module (which
includes such transferable skills as
logic/reasoning and presentation of
papers), and a supervised dissertation
over the summer. Students take two
elective modules in the first semester and
one in the second semester, or vice versa.

Credits (180 Credits

Module Code Module Title Semester to be taken in total)

Core modules
PHIL703 Research Skills 1&2 15
PHIL764 Core Topics in Analytic Philosophy 1 30
PHIL705 Themes in Analytic Philosophy 2 30
PHIL706 Dissertation 3 60
Elective modules (subject to change)
PHIL709 Philosophy of Mind 1 15
PHIL715 Philosophy of Religion 1 15
PHIL742 Wittgenstein 1 15
PHIL746 Philosophy of Mathematics 1 15
PHIL710 Philosophy of Language 2 15
PHIL712 Theory of Knowledge 2 15
PHIL727 Symbolic Logic 2 15
PHIL728 Metaphysics 2 15

See pages 15-17 for module summaries.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

Postgraduate Research Opportunities

MPhil
Full-time
Programme Code: MPHIL/HS/F My PhD research in Classical Indian philosophy at
Major Code: PLMR Liverpool has provided me with the opportunity to study
Part-time with a world-renowned scholar in my field, as well interact
Programme Code:
Major Code:
MPHIL/HS/P
PLMR
with the world-wide philosophical community at conferences
and symposiums. The Philosophy Department has several
new MA programmes, developed by the Faculty based on
PhD
their research interests, which offer students an expertise
Full-time
Programme Code: PHD/HS/F
in ancient and more traditional conceptions of philosophy
Major Code: PLPR and a chance to study the practical application of art
Part-time
and aesthetics.
Programme Code: PHD/HS/P
PAYAL DOCTOR
Major Code: PLPR PHD CLASSICAL INDIAN PHILOSOPHY,
PHILOSOPHY
Programme contact:
Professor Richard Gaskin
E: philos@liv.ac.uk
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

Applications are welcome from those

proposing to pursue research in any area
of staff research interest – these are listed
on the following page.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy

Staff Research Interests

DR CHRIS BARTLEY DR SIMON HAILWOOD DR MARY LENG
E: c.j.bartley@liv.ac.uk E: hailwood@liv.ac.uk E:m.c.leng@liv.ac.uk
Indian philosophy. Political philosophy; moral philosophy; Philosophy of mathematics; philosophy
environmental philosophy. of science; metaphysics and philosophy
DR CLARE CARLISLE of logic.
E: clare.carlisle@liv.ac.uk DR DANIEL HILL
Kierkegaard; history of European E: djhill@liv.ac.uk DR STEPHEN MCLEOD
philosophy; phenomenology; moral Philosophy of religion; philosophy E: stephen.mcleod@liv.ac.uk
philosophy; philosophy of religion; of action; applied ethics. Ethics; mind; logic; metaphysics; history
Buddhist philosophy. of philosophy.
DR GILLIAN HOWIE
PROFESSOR BARRY DAINTON (HEAD OF DEPARTMENT) DR PANAYIOTA VASSILOPOULOU
E: bdainton@liv.ac.uk E: g.howie@liv.ac.uk E: p.vassilopoulou@liv.ac.uk
Philosophy of mind; the self; space and Political philosophy; Marxism; critical Ancient, Hellenistic and late antique
time; philosophy of science. theory; psychoanalysis; feminism; philosophy; aesthetics, philosophy of
postmodernism. religion, feminism.
PROFESSOR RICHARD GASKIN
E: r.m.gaskin@liv.ac.uk
Ancient and medieval philosophy;
metaphysics; philosophy of language,
philosophy of literature.

Research Group
THE INSTITUTE FOR FEMINIST
THEORY AND RESEARCH
The Institute of Feminist Theory and
Research was established in 1998 and
hosted its first conference at the University
of Liverpool in January 2000. The Institute
is governed by a Steering Committee
with representatives at the moment from
Women in Higher Education Network
and Women in Higher Education Register.
The Institute aims to support feminist
theory and research by improving
communication between researchers
and to support teaching and learning
by disseminating the good practice
developed in and through feminist
pedagogy. Our objective is to protect
and support the growth of feminist
scholarship and scholars www.iftr.org.uk

MODULE SUMMARIES
See programme details for list of modules
available for each programme.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
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Philosophy
Module Summaries
See programme details for list of modules
available for each programme.
CORE MODULES
Contemporary Curating
PHIL759 (15 credits)
Using Tate Liverpool as a resource,
this module will examine contemporary
art from the perspective of the places
and spaces in which modern and
contemporary art is shown. Students
will be given the opportunity to consider
the theoretical implications of the uses
of space, and to study specific exhibition
case-studies. They will also have the
opportunity to participate in research
forums (Tate run platforms for MA and
PhD students to present their research)
and exchange events (informal discussion
evenings on contemporary exhibitions)
encouraging students to debate and
discuss the curating of contemporary art
in the company of artists and curators.
Dissertation
PHIL706 (60 credits)
Students will choose a topic of special
interest in philosophy and conduct
research into this area of interest via
reading and private study under the
supervision of the supervisor to whom
they have been allocated.
The Hellenistic Philosophers
PHIL762 (15 credits)
This module will explore the development
of the philosophical schools of the
Hellenistic period (Epicureans and Stoics),
to engage critically with the challenges
presented by the Sceptics (Academic
and Pyrrhonian), and to appreciate their
continuing influence. Particular attention
is drawn to the discussions of the human
condition, the nature of reality, the
possibility of knowledge, and the good life.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
Kierkegaard: Philosophy of Becoming
PHIL744 (15 credits)
Kierkegaard insists that the question of
how to live is of utmost importance to
each individual, and that addressing this
question from the perspective of the
existing individual should be philosophy’s
main concern. This module will take as its
point of departure Kierkegaard’s emphasis
on becoming - the dynamic, temporal
quality of existence - and his attempt to
address the question of how a life can be
lived truthfully when it continually moves
forwards, towards the future and the
unknown. The module will use set texts by
Kierkegaard to explore both the theoretical
and practical aspects of his philosophy of
becoming. This will involve discussion of
topics such as subjectivity and truth;
fidelity; freedom; anxiety and despair;
and self-knowledge and spiritual growth.
Kierkegaard’s relationship to other
philosophers, and to the philosophical
tradition in general, will also be examined.
Kierkegaard is always concerned with
questions about ‘how’, and as well as
thinking about the question of how to live.
Students will be encouraged to consider
how Kierkegaard attempts, through his
authorship, to provoke and to guide
readers’ self reflection and inward
transformation.
Main Seminar I
PHIL704 (30 credits)
This module will introduce current issues
in philosophy, thematic and historical.
These issues will be specifically aligned to
the current research interests of members
of staff. The module will also provide a
friendly forum for discussion and debate.
Main Seminar II: Themes in Analytic
Philosophy PHIL705 (30 credits)
This module aims to introduce students to
some of the key debates in contemporarly
analytic philosophy, and is driven by
research interests of the contributing staff.
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy
Core Topics in Analytic Philosophy
PHIL764 (30 credits)
The aim of this module is to provide
students with a background in some
central topics in analytic philosophy,
primarily by focusing on these topics
as they appear in classic texts in the
discipline.
Main Topics I
PHIL755 (30 credits)
This module will introduce students to
current issues thematic and historical in
aesthetics, cultural theory, art history and
design. These issues will be specifically
aligned to the current research interests
of members of staff. The module will also
provide a friendly forum for discussion
and debate.
Main Topics II
PHIL756 (30 credits)
This module follows on from PHIL755 and
will introduce students to current issues
thematic and historical in aesthetics,
cultural theory, art history and design.
These issues will be specifically aligned to
the current research interests of members
of staff. The module will also provide a
friendly forum for discussion and debate.
The Neoplatonists
PHIL761 (15 credits)
This module will examine the thought of
Plotinus (c204-270), and provide students
with some understanding of the principles
and development of Neoplatonic
philosophy, with particular attention to
questions pertaining to being, God,
selfhood, creativity, and philosophical
imagination and its practice.
15
Philosophy
Philosophy and Spirituality
PHIL749 (15 credits)
This module deals with the various theistic
and non-theistic responses to Nietzsche’s
pronouncement that God is dead. The
module considers the conditions under
which the concept of God and his
attributes are established through rational
reflection and experience. This will involve
examining questions about the relation
between reason and experience, and the
connection between knowledge of God
and the progressive transformation of the
human person. Discussions will cover how
far a proper epistemological vigilance or
scepticism within this progression is
compatible with confessional assent to the
existence of God, and what the alternatives
to such assent might be. This will involve
examination of the Buddhist traditions of
a kind which raises questions about how
epistemological vigilance bears on the
contemporary appropriation of Buddhism.
This in turn will lead to a comparison of
what we might call a belief model of the
religious life with what we might call an
expressive mental state model, returning
to reflection on the conditions of
concept-formation in the spiritual life,
including the formation of the concept
of spirituality itself.
Research Skills
PHIL703 (15 credits)
By the end of this module students
will be expected to be able to identify
valid argument forms, detect fallacies,
recognise common rhetorical devices,
be able to reconstruct professional
philosophers’ arguments from their prose
and to present an argument orally. In
addition, students will be aware of the
sorts of semantic unities that underlie
different traditions of philosophical
thought.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
Research Skills and Placement
PHIL758 (15 credits)
This module aims to give students
experience of practical and research
related issues in museums and galleries
and practical experience of work and
research in a cultural institution.
ELECTIVE MODULES
Aesthetics
PHIL716 (15 credits)
This module will consider the main
directions of Kantian and post-Kantian
aesthetics, in particular the issues that
have arisen about the disinterestedness
thesis and Kant’s attempt to offer the
expression of aesthetic ideas as a criterion
of beauty, whether of nature or of art;
to examine Schiller’s emphasis on the
moral and political context of aesthetic
experience; to trace a view of aesthetic
experience from Schopenhauer to
Heidegger; and to consider the traditional
questions about expression, definition
and aesthetic value.
Early Modern Philosophy I
PHIL735 (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to develop a
critical and interpretive study of topics in
early modern epistemology and theories
of language. The philosophers studied
are: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke,
Berkeley and Hume. Reasoned criticism
and original evaluations of each
philosophers’ views will be made
and similarities and contrasts explored
where appropriate.
Existentialism
PHIL732 (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to introduce a
number of key themes in Existentialism by
concentrating on J.P. Sartre’s text ‘Being
and Nothingness’.
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy
Indian Philosophy
PHIL726 (15 credits)
This module will examine the ways
in which philosophy in Classical India
develops as a dialogue between thinkers
of Buddhist and Brahminical persuasions
and to relate fundamental Indian
metaphysical concepts to Western
counterparts.
Kant and After
PHIL717 (15 credits)
This module considers a selection of
works from Kant and Hegel to compare
and contrast the methods of subjective
and objective idealism and to consider
the epistemic status of dialectics.
Key Texts in Art Theory
PHIL760 (15 credits)
This module aims to provide a detailed
critical examination of a text of particular
importance to the development of
Philosophical reflection on art, aesthetics
and culture.
Theory of Knowledge
PHIL712 (15 credits)
This module will explore various, mostly
modern, views about the various sources
of knowledge (perception, memory,
reason, introspection, testimony), the
analysis and the possibility of knowledge
as well as normative perspectives
concerning scientific theories.
Metaphysics
PHIL728 (15 credits)
This module will provide an introduction
to some of the most significant debates
in contemporary metaphysics; topics
include: change and persistence, objects
and properties, space and time.
Moral Philosophy
PHIL739 (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to help students
understand some important debates
within moral philosophy and analyse some
key concepts and arguments involved in
such debates.
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Philosophy
Philosophy and Literature
PHIL725 (15 credits)
This module provides an opportunity
to reflect on the connections and
disjunctions between the practice of
literary criticism and philosophical activity.
Accordingly students should not expect
this module to consist simply of “literary
theory” or “literary aesthetics”, but rather
to be a means of questioning the
presuppositions of these disciplines.
Philosophy of Language
PHIL710 (15 credits)
This module considers the main problems
in the theory of meaning, reference and
truth, in particular: the semantics of proper
names and definite descriptions; theories
of meaning and scepticism about
meaning; the nature of truth; interpretation
and understanding. (Some of the topics
have a technical aspect: hence the
recommendation that students have
already done a basic course in logic,
or equivalent.)
Philosophy of Film
PHIL757 (15 credits)
This module aims to examine the role of
philosophy in contemporary film discourse
and to place film in the tradition of
established art forms, examining the
implications of doing this. It will offer
students the chance to think independently
about film and its relation to other arts, and
to consider the difficulties encountered
when talking philosophically of film.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
Philosophy of Mathematics
PHIL746 (15 credits)
This module considers the main
foundational list programmes in the
philosophy of mathematics of the
early twentieth century and some
contemporary accounts of the ontology
and epistemology of mathematics.
Philosophy of Mind
PHIL709 (15 credits)
The module will provide a survey of
some of the most significant debates in
contemporary philosophy of mind; the
topics of consciousness, perception
and artificial intelligence will be
examined in detail.
Philosophy of Religion
PHIL715 (15 credits)
During this module students will become
acquainted with various versions of the
Cosmological Argument, the Argument
from Design and the Ontological
Argument, including the influence of
contemporary science and logic on them.
They will study the concept of God and
puzzles arising in this connection, as well
as issues concerning religious language.
Plato and Aristotle
PHIL737 (15 credits)
This module will explore the accounts
given by Aristotle and Plato of ethical
concepts such as virtue, happiness and
the good, in relation to their metaphysical
enquiries into substance, causality, time,
and universals; and to allow them to
practice the dialectical skills portrayed
in the ancient texts.
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy
Symbolic Logic
PHIL727 (15 credits)
The aims of this course are to allow
students who have already completed
a course in first-order predicate logic to
conduct deeper study into logic that can
occur at an introductory level, and to
introduce students to the basics of some
system(s) of logic beyond classical first-
order logic.
Themes in Political Philosophy
PHIL719 (15 credits)
This module explores the important
debates in political philosophy, and
analyses some of the key concepts,
such as freedom and equality, involved
in such debates.
Wittgenstein
PHIL742 (15 credits)
This module explores the philosophy of
Wittgenstein, in particular the Tractatus
Logico-Philosophicus and the
Philosophical Investigations.
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Philosophy
Admissions Information
There are separate application forms
for postgraduate research and taught
programmes. For both, the easiest way
to make an application is to apply online.
Go to www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/
applying/online.htm
If you are unable to apply online,
you can apply by:
Downloading a copy of the
Postgraduate Application Form from the
University’s website at: www.liv.ac.uk/
study/postgraduate/applying/offline.htm
and returning it to us by post or e-mail; or
Completing a hard copy of the
Postgraduate Application form,
available from the address below.
If you complete a hard copy of the
Postgraduate Application Form, you will
need to know the Programme and Major
codes for the programme of study you
wish to undertake, in order to complete
Section 2. The Programme and Major
codes can be found in this brochure
under the relevant programme entry.
ALL APPLICANTS
In addition to the information required on
the application form, you will need to send
copies of the following documents to the
Postgraduate Admissions team with your
application:
School or college transcripts/certificates
University transcripts
Degree certificates
Evidence of English Language
proficiency (EU and international
applicants only)
Personal statement
Two references
Proof of funding
Research proposal
(for MPhil/PhD applicants only)
NB: We would advise that photocopies
and scanned documents are acceptable
at application stage. However, originals
may be required should your application
be successful.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts > Philosophy
RESEARCH APPLICANTS
Students applying for research degrees
(MPhil/PhD) should in addition, follow
these steps:
Check the School’s research details
towards the end of this document and
the School’s website to see if we can
offer expert supervision in your chosen
area of specialisation.
Prepare a brief research proposal to
outline the research project you would
like to undertake.
Submit a full application with all
supporting documents, including a clear
statement on how you intend to fund
your research degree.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF YOUR APPLICATION
The Postgraduate Admissions Team will
acknowledge receipt of your application
and will pass it to the appropriate
academic department(s) for consideration.
APPLICATIONS FROM
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
We welcome applications from students
with disabilities and consider them on the
same academic grounds as those of other
students. If you have a disability, medical
condition and/or support needs it is
important that you inform the University so
that you receive appropriate support. To
discuss your situation or to obtain a copy
of the University’s booklet, “A guide to
support and services for students with
disabilities,” please contact a member
of the Disability Support Team on
E:+44 (0)151 794 4714 / 6676 or
at E: disteam@liv.ac.uk
ADMISSIONS POLICY
Full details of the admissions procedures
for taught programmes operated by
individual departments may be found
in the departmental Postgraduate
Admissions Policies, which are
available on the University’s website
www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate
www.liv.ac.uk/philosophy
DEADLINES
Although the University does not have an
official deadline by which postgraduate
applications should be received, some
individual departments do have deadlines.
Where this is the case, it is normally
indicated in the text, but if you are in any
doubt, please contact either the
department concerned or the
Postgraduate Admissions Team:
Postgraduate Admissions
Student Recruitment and Admissions Office
The University of Liverpool
Foundation Building
Brownlow Hill
L69 7ZX UK
T:+44 (0)151 794 5927
F:+44 (0)151 794 2060
www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Please note, it is a mandatory requirement
for some postgraduate applicants who
need Entry Clearance to study in the UK,
to have an Academic Technology Approval
Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
It is your responsibility to check if
this scheme applies to you. See
www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/
applying/atas.htm for more information.
REPRESENTATIVES OVERSEAS
In some countries the University works
with local representatives who can provide
more information and help you with the
application process. For further details,
please visit: www.liv.ac.uk/international
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