Erasmus+ Study Guide 2020/21 Philosophy - University of ...
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Erasmus+ Study Guide
2020/21
PhilosophyDepartment of Philosophy
School of Arts
GUIDE FOR INCOMING ERASMUS STUDENTS 2020/21
Welcome to the Department
The Department of Philosophy at the University of Bristol is considered one of the top in the
UK, with a reputation for high-quality research in all aspects of the subject.
We are particularly well-known for our strength in the philosophy of science, very broadly
construed to include e.g. logic and formal epistemology, but also have leading researchers in
applied ethics, phenomenology and the philosophy of medicine. We also host the Centre for
Science and Philosophy, which promotes the interpretation of science through collaboration
with other disciplines. We continually have major research projects running in the
department, each hosting a number of workshops, conferences, reading groups and visiting
scholars throughout the year. For more details about our research see our people profiles.
Teaching on undergraduate and postgraduate degrees is informed by our academics' latest
research findings, providing our students with a dynamic environment of experimental
thought and discussion in which to study. This is complemented by the work of our research
postgraduates, who make a significant and valued contribution to the department's research
culture. We have an active seminar programme, and in recent years, many of the world's
leading philosophers have visited the department.
Our student community is a busy and committed one, with a student-led Philosophy Society
that organises regular social events and discussion forums.
When you begin
The University’s academic calendar is available at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/university/dates/.
A meeting will be organised at the start of your studies where you will be able to ask any
questions concerning your study programme. If you are coming for a single teaching block
you must arrive before the start of the appropriate Teaching Block to sort out administrative
matters.
There is an exam session at the end of each teaching block in January and May/June. Units
taught in TB1 only will be assessed in January. All other units will be assessed in the
Summer Exam period. There are no resits for final year units (i.e. 4th year units). There are
NO resits for Erasmus students. If you fail a unit, you will NOT be allowed to take a
supplementary examination.
2Units and Credits
The University’s Unit Catalogue provides information on Philosophy units available in the
2020-21 academic year. Most units within the Department are 20 credits.
Students can come either for the whole year or for one Teaching Block. Philosophy
Erasmus+ students are expected to take most of their credits in the Department. This
would mean taking at least 100 credits (of 120) in the Department if here for the full
academic year, or at least 40 credits (of 60) if studying for one semester.
Classes are assessed in a variety of ways. Usually the assessment will be by an
examination, or essay, or a combination of the two. A standard exam format would be a 3-
hour, written examination, in which you write 3 short essays, chosen from 8 possible topics
(allowing 1 hour per question). A standard essay format might ask you to write 2,000 words
on a question of your choice, from a list of possible essay titles.
For some classes the assessment will also involve student presentations. Other classes also
require submission of weekly on-line journal entries.
Many classes require students to write a ‘formative’ essay or complete an alternative
formative assessment (which must be passed but doesn’t contribute to your final grade).
Examinations are held in January and May/June. Please note that as an Erasmus
exchange student you only have one attempt at exams, and you will not be able to
take resits in August/September.
Most Philosophy units involve 1-2 lectures and 1 seminar every week. Lectures can range in
size from 12 to 200 students. Seminars are typically no more than 12-15 students.
Bristol students do not mix units from different levels, and the timetable can make it very
difficult to do so. If you choose units from different years, there is the possibility that this will
result in a timetable clash.
Before selecting your unit choices please note the following:
▪ You need to select a maximum of 120 credits for a full year (equivalent to 60 ECTS)
or 60 credits for one term (equivalent to 30 ECTS)
▪ Only select classes that run in the Teaching Block (or ‘semester’) that you are
studying in.
▪ Consider the unit assessment including where there is an examination. You will be
expected to complete all assessment involved.
▪ It is your responsibility to ensure that you have met any prerequisites for a unit.
Prerequisites are indicated on the unit’s description in the Catalogue.
▪ It is sometimes possible to select a unit from another School within the University
subject to timetable constraints and the requirements of that School.
▪ The timetable will not be finalised until the beginning of Week 0. The School cannot
guarantee that selected courses will not clash on the timetable.
The Department cannot guarantee that home or Erasmus+ students will receive all
their first choices of unit as this is subject to unit availability and timetabling matters.
The School Office will contact you if they are unable to secure registration on a unit
listed on your Learning Agreement.
3The choices made in the initial Learning Agreement are subject to confirmation by the
School, which may require changes for both learning and administrative reasons. Students
may request changes to their initial choices at the start of the year, but these are subject to
approval by the School.
Pre-requisites
There are no pre-requisites for Philosophy units, but we do recommend that students only
take courses they are suitable for. In practice this means that students who have not studied
Philosophy before will be expected to take entry-level units in Philosophy.
In addition, Philosophy of Maths and advanced logic courses may be unsuitable for students
without a background in Philosophy, Mathematical, or formal disciplines. You can contact the
Department’s Study Abroad Academic Director during the application process to determine
which classes are most suitable for you (please see the ‘School’s contact information’
section for their details).
School policy for Erasmus+ students from other areas wishing to take units
It may be possible for incoming Erasmus+ students based in other departments to take
Philosophy units where there is availability and the student has met any pre-requisites listed
on the unit’s description.
School’s contact information
The Department of Philosophy is in the School of Arts. The School’s main office and the
Department of Philosophy are not based in the same building, but both are located on the
main campus.
Full contact details:
The Department of Philosophy
Cotham House
University of Bristol
Bristol
BS6 6JL
Map and travel information can be found at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/maps/
Tel: +44 (0)117 954 6050
Email: sart-ugoffice@bristol.ac.uk
Website: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/philosophy
The Study Abroad Academic Director for the School is Dr Martin Sticker
(martin.sticker@bristol.ac.uk)
4English Language Requirements
Students must have a good standard of both written and spoken English before arriving in
Bristol – a minimum B2 level of equivalent. Students must be able to converse freely with
native English speakers and in addition must be able to read and write extended pieces of
technical writing.
If you need to develop your academic English language skills, you can take optional units
from the Centre for Academic Language and Development (CALD). These units focus on
listening and speaking, reading and writing, and advanced grammar. Visit the CALD
website to register for these units.
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