Philosophy

What Makes Philosophy So Special?

/ Amy Hobbs

I would assume that if you’re reading this then you’re applying to Lancaster to study Philosophy, or are at least interested in it? But what is it about the course, specifically at Lancaster, that makes people like it so much and want to stick with it? I even know some people who changed their major because they enjoyed doing Philosophy so much as a minor in their first year! Here are some factors that I feel make the course so wonderful and appealing. Of course, it may be a possibility that I am slightly biased…

The work itself; there really isn’t much else like it. Philosophy is analytical and rigorous, and although it can be very challenging at times, there will always be something that you can take out of a lecture or seminar that resonates with you. I think it is quite rare to be able to say that you relate to a university course on a personal level; especially when talking about your own morals, values and beliefs. I think that the constant possibility of showing up to a Philosophy lecture and leaving with a completely different perspective on an issue that you already thought you had set opinions in is intriguing and exciting. It’s definitely one of the factors that keeps me engaged and wanting to learn more.

The fact that Philosophy allows for your own values and opinions to shine through in your work (to an extent, of course) is something else about the course that I think students really appreciate. Of course you have to learn the theory and the technicalities that come with it, but essay questions always allow for a degree of your own interpretation. The important part is being able to be analytical and think critically of the arguments that you are writing about. Your own interpretation can always play a role in the essays as long as you do this, and support your assertions with academic sources!

The development of yourself and your knowledge. It is easy to feel disheartened sometimes when you are confronted with a reading or lecture that you don’t fully understand, but you have to remember not to panic. Philosophy seminars are incredibly enlightening, people make fantastic points all the time and the lecturers and tutors are very supportive. The more seminars you go to, the clearer the things that once puzzled you become. This only gets better with time. I can tell you from my own experience currently being a third year student, that Philosophy seminars only become more and more enjoyable.

This leads me on to another factor; the class sizes. When it comes to the amount of students on the course in general, Philosophy is usually one of the smaller courses. It depends on people’s learning styles; some people may like having busy lectures and larger seminars, but I really believe that smaller class sizes is what allows Philosophy students to really shine and flourish. Especially in the second and third years, I think my largest seminar group over the past two years has been around 13-14 people, my smallest was 6! For me, I really appreciate the small class sizes as I think it allows everybody to have a voice. Debate and reasoned argument are a central part of Philosophy and smaller seminar groups not only allow for everyone to be heard, but it also allows support from fellow classmates.

This takes me to the inspiration I had to make this particular post. During my seminars that I’ve been attending this week, there has been almost a shift in atmosphere amongst us students. Everyone has been chatting and laughing together, and just making being in to lectures and seminars an enjoyable experience in general. I feel like this really reflects a special type of comradery and sense of community that is present in Philosophy that I can’t imagine finding anywhere else. Everybody; students and lecturers alike, wants to see you succeed and develop within the discipline. It really is a fantastic feeling!

On another note, an update on me; the workload has really upped this week- lots of presentations and essays to prepare for! It’s all about time management, I have two essays to hand in by the beginning of the final week of term so I am spending week 6 (this week) and week 7 discussing the essay questions with my lecturers, doing all of the readings that I need to do and making thorough essay plans, that way I can spend weeks 8 and 9 working solidly on writing them. Weeks 9 and 10 for me will be used to discuss, read for, and plan my extended essays for my special subjects that are due for January.

Applying to graduate jobs is also a huge part of third year, particularly in first term. These past couple of weeks I have been applying to some of the schemes that I am most interested in. That means writing a lot of answers to competency questions, completing countless online assessments, and doing a lot of nervous waiting for updates on my application progress. I will be going down to London at the beginning of December to attend the assessment centre for one of the schemes I have applied for. I’m extremely nervous, but no matter the outcome I will have gained valuable experience and be able to develop my interview and assessment centre techniques. Despite the hectic and challenging nature of this week, I managed to take this weekend to go home and visit family and friends. It’s always such a lovely feeling after being away for 6 weeks! It was a great weekend of relaxation but now it’s back to work, wish me luck!

Updates on my Lent Term

/ Pietro

Hi folks,

Second term is passing very quickly, and we’re approaching week 18 already! In the past few weeks I’ve received conditional offers for two of the graduate programmes in philosophy that I submitted an application for back in mid-December. I’m very happy about this, and I have to say thank you to some of my lecturers, who helped me figuring out which courses to apply for, and how to submit a strong application. This is one of the things that I like most about the PPR Department here at Lancaster: the staff is very supportive, and able to help you a great deal if you just ask. By the end of your third year, you can truly get to know some academics from the department and form good relationships with them.

Having received some good news, I decided to concede myself a few days off and went climbing in Warton (a place close to Carnforth, 10 minutes by train from Lancaster) with some friends– the weather was exceptionally good for end of February standards (it was some 5-6 days before blizzards hit the country, just in time)! We’re also planning a trip to the climbing wall in Kendal, which is supposed to be one of the best in the UK. Hopefully next week.

Week 10 is week of deadlines, so I’ll have to do some more work before a well-deserved Easter holiday. The essay I’m working on at the moment is for my Logic and Language module, and it’s about modal logic. Roughly speaking, modal logic deals with how to analyse arguments that incorporate notions of necessity and possibility. It’s a very intriguing topic, but also quite technical and difficult to get your head around, so it will require some serious concentration!

On March 17, we’re having our last Applicants Visit Day. If you haven’t had the opportunity to come already, book a place for that day if you can.

Hope to see some of you there!

Opportunities at Lancaster

/ Pietro

Hi everyone!

 

This week, I’m going to to tell you a bit more about some of the opportunities you can find here at Lancaster if you’re interested in gaining new skills, improving your employability, and put what you study into practice. Among the projects I’ve taken part in over the last couple of years, there’s two I’d definitely recommend: the Richardson Institute Internship Programme and the Lancaster Mentoring Programme.

The Richardson Institute is the oldest Peace Studies research centre in the UK, and it is based at Lancaster University. Every year, it offers an internship programme directed at students in their second and third year, which starts in October/November and ends in June. Students get to work with external organisations, such as International Alert, Maslaha, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and RadicalisationResearch, to produce research reports on socially relevant topics. Last year, for example, I worked in a group of about 6 people, tackling issues to do with injustice in the UK education system. I found the internship particularly valuable, in that it allowed me to gain research experience outside of the sort of research you get to do for your degree.

The second opportunity I mentioned is the Mentoring Programme. This project, too, is run every year, and it helps you gaining a better understanding of what to do after uni; or, if you know that already, it allows you to sharpen your knowledge of your chosen career path. Students get paired with professionals in the field that they express an interest in, and they then meet their mentors on a regular basis, learning about their job, about how to pursue specific careers, how to gain experience relevant to particular jobs, how to write a good CV, etc. For me, the Mentoring Programme has been very helpful: my mentor helped me gaining a better idea of my future plans, aided me with choice of postgraduate study, and gave me tips about how to do well in applications.

I think it’s important to study in a place where you can find opportunities like the ones I’ve just described. They allow you to understand what you like doing, what your potential is, and what you’re good at: all things that is in general highly beneficial to know, but perhaps particularly so when you need to decide what to do with your life after uni.

New Term, New Modules

/ Pietro

Hello!

Time to get you updated on my second term here at Lancaster. Other than working on my dissertation, this Lent term I’ll be taking three new modules: Logic and Language, Aesthetics, and History of Twentieth Century Philosophy.

The Logic and Language module explores some key techniques in logic which allow you to assess arguments and distinguish valid from invalid ones. I’m looking forward to approaching the material from this course because I think that being able to evaluate arguments is a skill everyone should aim at developing. Logic is generally associated with philosophy and mathematics, but in fact any academic discipline is one way or another engaged in the practice of making good arguments and providing reasons for or against certain claims. Outside of academia, too, people make arguments all the time: public debates, including political debates, are just one notable example.

The second module I mentioned is Aesthetics, which addresses questions to do with beauty, art, and their value and significance. I’m looking forward to learn more about this stuff as well, because I’ve always been interested in the way people disagree about matters of “taste”. Yesterday night, for example, I went to the cinema here at Lancaster with a couple of friends: when one of them told me he found the film brilliant, I couldn’t believe it. I had found it extremely dull and poor. Was one of us right in our different assessment of the film, or was it all just a matter of subjective opinion? In the next few weeks, I’ll grapple with questions of this kind and try to get an understanding of what aesthetic judgements might amount to.

The last module I’ll be taking is History of Twentieth Century Philosophy. I’ve picked this one because I hope it will give me a better idea of the context in which some philosophers I’ve already studied produced their work, and also an understanding of the origins of contemporary philosophy.

As you see there’s quite a lot of work ahead of me, but, after all, that’s the very last bit of my degree, so I’d better get the most out of it!

End of Term

/ Pietro

Hello!

It’s almost end of term and I’m caught up in writing essays, which are due in a week or so. For my Darwinism and Philosophy module, I’m writing an essay on the concept of biological function, in which I try to pin down what exactly it means to say, for example, that the “function” of the heart is to pump blood, or that the “function” of the rattle in rattlesnakes is to deter predators. For my Continental Philosophy module, I’m writing an essay on Nietzsche’s book On the Genealogy of Morals, where I offer an interpretation of some of his central claims.

I also have, for my special subject module (see last week’s post), a mini-dissertation due at the beginning of next term, mid-January. Unfortunately, this means I’ll have to do some work among festive meals and Christmas celebrations. But, as much as I’d prefer 4 weeks of full relax, I’m (somewhat) looking forward to writing it, because the topic I’ve chosen interests me very much. I will engage with my lecturer’s view on what the good life (or well-being) is, and will put forward some objections in order to develop a slightly different take on the matter. To put it roughly, I’m going to argue that well-being is that condition where you develop and express your own capacities to their fullest potential and at the same time enjoy doing it.

Next week, I plan to take a break from essay writing and go to the Manchester Christmas markets. I’ve been there already in the last couple of years and really enjoyed the festive atmosphere, the mulled wine, and all the different things you can find at the various stands. It’s also quite easy to reach Manchester from Lancaster by train, which allows you to go in the afternoon and come back within the day.

Until next time!

Pietro

Special Subjects

/ Pietro

Hi everyone!

For this week’s post, I’ve decided to tell you a bit about a distinctive selection of modules offered by the PPR Department at Lancaster: “special subjects”. Whereas a typical module will be centred around lectures delivered by an academic, special subjects run as seminar classes, or reading groups, with the tutor convening the group and moderating discussion. The tutor will generally be an expert in the field, and may be writing or researching on some of the topics covered in the module.

Sometimes, academics make use of special subjects to discuss what they’re working on at the moment with students. For example, of all the modules I’m taking this term, “Philosophy in Progress: Autobiography, Narrative, Self-Knowledge, and Self-Realisation” is a special subject intended as direct engagement with the tutor’s current academic work. Seminars are chaired by Sam Clark, an academic philosopher from the PPR Department, and the module’s aim is to read and engage with the draft of the book he is currently writing, and in doing so discuss the philosophical questions and issues it raises. At the end of the module, you are then asked to write and submit a 5000 word paper, where you focus on a specific topic covered in Sam’s book and critically engage with it.

I think special subjects are a great opportunity because you really get to engage with some contemporary developments in research on a given field, and you also get to discuss the topics with the person who may have written the very work you’re asked to read. This is all quite exciting as it gives interesting insights into what doing research at the professional level is all about. Moreover, special subjects’ peculiar structure allows you to explore a different learning format, where you’re supposed to play an active role by giving presentations and making contributions to the group’s discussions.

Greetings All!

/ Sowenna Ene

Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Sowenna Ene and I am a final year Philosophy, Politics and Economics student at Lancaster. During the course of this academic year, I will be writing posts every so often detailing my weekly activities and general undertakings from academic work to the more social aspects of university. Without further ado, I shall now get into my past week.

This year I decided to join the University Futsal Team. This essentially manifests itself in playing matches against other universities in the British Universities & Colleges Sports league (BUCS). On Sunday 5th November we played two games, a friendly match and also a BUCS league game. This took place at Leeds Beckett University and we won the friendly match 6-0 and the league game 10-2! This was a nice set up for the week ahead which predominantly centred on academic studies…

 

Monday began with a lecture in ‘Continental Philosophy’ in which, by the end of the term, we will have explored the ideas of thinkers Friedrich Nietzsche, Michel Foucault and Hannah Arendt. Monday’s lecture explored Michel Foucault’s ‘The History of Sexuality’ which explores the progression, manifestation and application of power within society. Fascinating stuff! Later in the day I had a lecture and seminar for my module titled ‘Contemporary Issues in the Middle East’. If it hasn’t become clear, one should pay attention to the sheer scope of modules and the great variety of choice a degree at Lancaster allows. The range of module choice available is something definitely commendable and really allows you to tailor your degree to you and where your particular interest may lay. Aside from lectures and seminars, this week was spent mainly planning for an essay in which I look to explore nation-state building in the Middle East; this is due in the final week of term, but its never bad to start early!

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my week this week at Lancaster University and I look forward to communicating with you soon.

Take care!

Flexible Part 1 System

/ Ryan Bartle

During my time attending visit days, and meeting prospective students, some people have asked me questions about Lancaster University’s flexible part one system. As someone who benefited from this system, I thought it would be helpful to make it the subject of this week’s blog, and explain how it has benefited me personally.

The transition from A-level to university is quick, and it is natural to feel anxious about whether you have made the correct decision when choosing your degree scheme. It is not uncommon to want to have time to experience a subject before committing to it for three years. Or it might be that you have other academic interests that you haven’t yet had chance to study formally, but might wish to learn more about. If this applies to you then the flexible part one system should benefit you.

In your first year at Lancaster, you will be required, during registration, to sign on to the subjects you want to study. Each student in the PPR department is required to take three subjects in their first year. Those of you intending to study a triple major (such as PPE) will have satisfied this requirement, and need only to sign on to those subjects for which you’ve already applied. But for those of you who are studying single or joint honors, it will be necessary to select other subjects to take you up to three.

What Subjects should you choose?

This one is entirely up to you. You should choose the subjects you are most interested in, or those that you may want to continue with after you have completed your first year. Upon completion of your first year, you will be given (provided you pass) the opportunity to shape your degree scheme based on the subjects you have taken. There are some limits to what you can choose. Some subjects, for instance, require previous training. This is the case with vocational subjects, but also with sciences and maths, which obviously require students to be at a high level before beginning.

Why is this beneficial?

As I benefited from the part one system, and used it to change my degree scheme, I will answer this question by explaining how it helped me. When I first arrived at Lancaster, I had been accepted on a joint major in Philosophy and Film Studies. As much as I was interested in film, I had doubts over whether I wanted to pursue it as a career. Moreover, I was very passionate about politics, and it was simply in virtue of not studying politics at A-level that I was deterred me from applying for it in the first place. Naturally, upon being informed about the flexible part one system I decided to choose politics as my minor subject.

This allowed me to make a fully informed decision on how I wanted my degree to progress. I found that politics and philosophy complemented each other well. During my last visit day, it was interesting to speak to a prospective student whom raised similar points. He told me that he was interested in politics because it addresses the practical issues of society and its institutions, and philosophy because it addresses questions concerning the just society and the morally correct way to organise institutions. I felt the same way about this connection, and as such, I made the decision to drop film studies and progress with a joint major in Philosophy and Politics. And looking back as I approach the end of my final year as an undergraduate, I can honestly say that I made the right decision.

 

Days Out

/ Ryan Bartle

Being a student it is easy to get caught up in the slog of academic life and feel the need to escape. One of the best ways to clear your head after a long week of studying is to go somewhere nice for a day out. Here at Lancaster, there are plenty of places to explore in and around the area, so the best thing to do is make the most of them. I was lucky in my first year because my girlfriend Abigail, who was in the year above me, would take me on days out and introduce me to new places. In this post I will share some of them with you, and hopefully you will get the chance to visit them when you arrive.

Last Saturday, I paid a visit to Barton Grange Centre in Garstang, where I met up with Abigail and her family. Abigail introduced me to this place last Christmas. It is perfect for those who want a festive day out, and yes, it’s almost December so I’m allowed to be excited by that. Inside, there is a wonderful array of festive displays and outside there is an ornamental garden, with a variety of plants and model animals.

For those who don’t want to travel too far, Williamson Park is the perfect place for a day out. The park is large and contains various places of interest. Most notable of which is the Ashton Memorial, which was built in the early 1900’s by former Lancaster MP and industrialist James Williamson, in remembrance of his wife. This building is grand in size, and has a historic feel to it. For a small donation of £1 visitors are granted entry. On overcoming the large flight of stairs there is a balcony; from which you can survey the surrounding landscape. The sheer height of the building provides a birds-eye view which stretches from Morecambe Bay to Blackpool tower. Behind the memorial there is a cafe, with a perfectly situated seating area for enjoying the sun when the days are warm.

For just a 15 minute train journey from Lancaster you can visit Grange-over-Sands, a historic parish town overlooking Morecambe Bay. Shortly upon exiting the train station, you will find the ornamental gardens. The gardens  includes a picturesque walk, on which there is a large pond, attracting various wildlife, including emigre Canadian swans and Mandarin Ducks. At the heart of the pond is a fountain, surrounded by semi tropical trees and shrubs. A visit here wouldn’t be complete without a walk along the promenade, where you can enjoy pleasant views of the bay.

There are also great places nearby for those who enjoy going out on walks. One of the best walks is along Lancaster canal. The canal can be accessed by the bridge, just near the Royal Infirmary at the top of town. Down the steps there is a pub called the Water Witch, which serves great food and has a seating area overlooking the canal, for those who want to finish their walk with a drink or a bite to eat. If walking is your thing, then you needn’t go further than campus. The Woodland Trail which surrounds the university campus, along with the outer woodland is home to a variety of species of wildlife. The walk stretches 2 and a half miles in total, and is perfect for a quiet stroll. It also includes the “trim trail”, for those seeking to get fit.

Hopefully this will give you some good ideas for days out. Next week I will be giving some advice on coursework and exams.

 

 

End of Term and Break Plans

/ Ryan Bartle

The end of term is quickly approaching. This has definitely been my most difficult term, being the one in which I need to complete my dissertation. But I’m almost there. I’ve completed the other two assignments that are due in. Now I’ve just one chapter of my dissertation left to write and then I can look forward to the break.

It is also coming toward the climax of our pool season. We are currently second in the league after pulling off decent wins in our last few games. Things are tightening up at the top, but those currently occupying the number one spot are still in reach. We play them in the final week. It would be great to go out with a win, but I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

On the Monday after breaking up, I will be leaving home again in the direction of the North West, not to go back to uni, but for a week’s holiday in the Lake District. My family and I go there every year. This time my girlfriend, Abigail, is coming along too. We always plan our walking schedule ahead of leaving. The longest walk we tackled last year was Wansfell. It is by no means to most difficult walk in the Lakes but it is challenging enough for me. I really enjoy the walks but I equally enjoy a celebratory pint in one of the local inns as a reward.

We stay in the same area each year; a small town called Ambleside, situated next to Lake Windermere. Ambleside is populated with many nice cafes, book shops, and Inns, one of which overlooking the Lake. There is a village nearby, called Grasmere, which the famous poet William Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”. He would know, as he spent the latter part of his life there, and also marks the place of his burial. Each year we complete the walk from Ambleside to Grasmere which takes a few hours but the picturesque landscape makes it well worth it. On the return route we always stop in a nearby pub called The Badger, where as the name would suggest, visitors are able to enjoy their drinks while watching the badgers arrive for their evening meal. I’m yet to witness this as we always visit at the wrong time, but this time I think we should make an effort to see it.

For those of you unfamiliar with Lancaster, you will be happy to know that it is situated rather close to the Lake District; close enough that it is in travelling distance if you wanted a day out or break from work. When I was in first year, the university organised a bus trip to the Lakes. Worth looking out for that when you arrive!