PY4665 First Contact

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A D Etinson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Adam Etinson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module is about the philosophy of first contact - that is, philosophical problems generated by first encounters with alien phenomena, agents, and experiences. The module addresses special problems of categorization (e.g., How can we identify phenomena and experiences that do not fit standard frameworks?), translation and communication (e.g., How can we decipher the meaning of radically unfamiliar languages?), philosophical psychology (How should we emotionally respond to radically unfamiliar phenomena?), as well as ethics and politics (What do we owe to foreign agents in the context of first contact, and what special dangers do such situations pose?) raised by such encounters. The module begins by considering general questions of philosophical psychology, and then moves on to consider specific instances of first contact, and their significance. Because of its subject matter, each week combines readings in philosophy with readings in other sciences, as well as literary fiction.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PY1006 OR PASS PY1012

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hour lecture (11 weeks), 1 hour seminar (11 weeks)

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of this module, students will be acquainted with a number of important works in philosophy and related fields, which touch on some of the issues raised by situations of first contact.
  • By the end of this module, students should have gained a good critical understanding of the issues at stake in these debates, the various approaches taken by different thinkers, and the various arguments in favour of each approach.
  • By the end of this module, students should be able to critically evaluate discussions of these issues in the relevant literature, and formulate and articulate their own views on these issues.
  • By the end of this module, students should will also learn how to cope with a topic that is inherently interdisciplinary, which is a useful skill.