essays

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!

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.

It’s (almost) Christmas!

/ Amy Hobbs

It’s finally here! The coveted end of term!

This has definitely been one of the most intense, hectic semesters I’ve ever had during my time here- but by far one of the most fulfilling!

On the 1st of December I went down to London to take part in an assessment centre for a graduate-job that I applied for. It was a nerve-wracking and emotionally draining day, but the whole experience was fantastic overall! Both the assessors and the other applicants were so friendly, and the activities that we had to do throughout the day (while challenging) were surprisingly enjoyable! I think the reason that I was a little nervous was because I was really passionate about getting a place on the programme. But that passion must have showed, because I got an offer!! The work didn’t stop there though; I’ve had to do a lot of subsequent work and assessments to secure my place. So, balancing all of that along with my uni essays has been challenging to say the least.

That didn’t stop the flow of university work though, so I’ve definitely had to prioritise and get myself organised over these past 10 weeks (my experiences and helpful advice can be found previous posts!). I had two essay deadlines for the end of this term, which I count myself lucky for, as some of my friends have had as many as four! Nevertheless, they have still been a lot of work.

For Continental Philosophy, I wrote about Friedrich Nietzsche’s Genealogy of Morals and his account of the origins of morality as we know it, suffering and blame, and the creation of guilt. I spent a lot of time reading the Genealogy and using other sources to try to formulate my own interpretation of Nietzsche’s work whilst remaining close to what he wanted to argue. It took a lot of work as anyone who has read Nietzsche will know some of his work can be a little ‘out there’ at times! Despite this, I still found him really engaging and, as exaggerated as some of his rhetoric can be, I found myself considering his account and seeing and making links between his history of morality and my own experience and thoughts on morality in modern day. This is one of my favourite things in philosophy; the fact that the material you study can end up in you really questioning your views about the world, and even end up changing them!

In Darwinism and Philosophy I chose to write about whether thinking about evolution can help us to understand human psychology. This is a big topic with some quite technical language so it required a lot of concentration on my part. However, this has been, by far, one of my favourite essays that I have had to write in the whole time I’ve been here! I find the theory around the topic fascinating! I would definitely recommend reading into the topic if you have a combined interest in philosophy and psychology. I focused on Evolutionary Psychology, sociobiology and the criticisms of each (one of which is called ‘The Flintstones Fallacy’- who said philosophy can’t be fun?!). I initially thought I was going to argue that thinking about evolution could further our understanding of human psychology, but after going through my sources critically, I ended up arguing the opposite stance! That’s something else I like about philosophy; you think you know what your opinions are on something and that you’ll stick by them, but reading such engaging literature and talking to people with all kinds of different opinions really influences you to be open to changing your mind. Of course, I’m in my third year so I’ve had the past two years to get used to the course, but no matter what year you are in, please try to stick with the course! I find it quite humorous actually, back in first year I was struggling to make the 1500 word count, but now in third year I’m going way over my 3000 word count and having to cut my essays down! My point is; the course may seem difficult at times, but there will come a point where everything falls into place, and there are always people you can talk to if you’re really struggling to get some support.

As for my social life; it has been quite lacking of late! I think that is understandable though. This weekend my housemates and I are making up for it my doing a ‘Secret Santa’, watching Christmas films together, and going for the traditional end-of-term-celebratory drinks in the pub! It’s going to be great to spend time with everyone without deadlines being on everyone’s mind!

The Christmas break is going to be different for me, as I have two 5000 word essay due in for the first day back in January. So, I’m actually remaining in Lancaster for an extra week after term officially ends to work on those. One is for Feminist Philosophy in which I will be discussing and evaluating Simone de Beauvoir’s account of women’s oppression. The second is in Popular Music and Philosophy: I want to write about value judgements and authenticity in music alongside how music forms our identity. I’m not too sure where I want to take my argument yet, so I’m going in for an essay consultation tomorrow! I also have to write an abstract for my dissertation in which I will be doing a critical reading of Thomas Kuhn’s; ‘The Structure of Scientific Revolutions’, drawing moral parallels to his arguments, and assessing what this means for moral progress.

Even though there is work to be done, I’m still going to make sure I have at least a small break and visit home and spend Christmas and New Years with my family and friends! It’s going to be great to get into the festive spirit, not think about uni for a few days, and eat lots of food and not have to buy it for myself for a little while. Sometimes you just need some good old home comforts!

 

The Importance of Balance

/ Amy Hobbs

Just over 2 weeks left of this term until we break for Christmas, the time has really flown by!

The workload is definitely in full force now, and it’s evident across the whole uni. The library is busy with people from 9am to 5pm,  study areas are always buzzing with students; all of us working to make our deadlines. I myself have 2 essays to hand in by the beginning of the final week of term and though that may not sound like much, there is still a lot of work that has to go into it.

In Continental Philosophy I am writing my essay on Nietzsche and his ideas about guilt- where it comes from, how our conscience is formed, and making a critique of this account. For Darwinism I am writing about Evolutionary Psychology and how the process of evolution can help us to understand human traits, characteristics and behaviour.

So much planning goes into Philosophy essays, especially at university level and it’s important to have a clear schedule of what you want to get done, and when you need to have it done for. It’s important to understand that everyone works in different ways, and what seems to work for others may not necessarily work for you- so it’s good to try to really understand how you work best and finesse your technique to make it the best that it can be. This is how I personally find to be the best way to work for myself:

  1. Choose my essay questions for each module. I find that doing this as soon as possible really helps. Sometimes that means choosing a question that appeals to me straight away, and other times this means waiting until I’ve had a few more lectures so I can make a more informed decision if I am not too sure. Having my essay questions picked out as early as I can allows me to start collecting my thoughts and making brief notes from the get-go.
  2. Draw up an initial plan and line of argument. I do this by going through lecture and seminar notes that I have taken, as well as re-reading the primary readings set by the lecturer. This way I can form a basic framework to base my essay on.
  3. Read, read, read. After putting together an initial framework, I can then read with direction- making sure that what I am reading is relevant and allowing me to read critically in accordance with my argument, instead of ‘reading into the blue’. Also, doing reading outside the primary reading list really demonstrates your knowledge and passion for the subject to your lecturer, and so makes you essay unique and different from everyone else’s!
  4. After reading for each of my essays and picking out quotes and ideas and making notes on them, I then create a more formal plan. This is where I will detail the structure I want my essay to follow by using subheadings, and write under each one what I will include in the section, in the order I want it to appear in the final draft.
  5. The most important step: I talk to my lecturers. I take my plan with me as a guide to follow for points of discussion and ask about the structure of my essay, and if I am generally going in the right direction to answer the question. Obviously there is only so much that the lecturers can say when helping you, but I always come away from talking to them with new ideas for my essay that I may have missed or not thought of initially. I then add these into my formal plan.

I then sit down to write my final drafts. Typically I do the 5 steps above in weeks 6 and 7 of the term, which leaves me with 2 weeks to write the final versions with everything ready and on-hand. (However, this can change based on how many essays I have to hand in at a given time).

This can seem like an extremely daunting task and this is where the importance of balance comes in. I’m human, I need time to take a break and not think about writing essays for a little while, so I make sure to follow a set schedule throughout the week. During the 2 weeks that I am writing the final drafts of my essays I usually head to campus at 9am, no matter what my timetable is and I work on my essays at the times of the day that I have no scheduled classes.

Of course, I take breaks- grab some food, perhaps meet up with a friend for half an hour, take a short walk etc. but I remain on campus until 6pm. This may seem like an unbearably long day, but there are more hours in the day than you sometimes realise! When I arrive home after 6pm, I know that I have done enough work on my essay for that day and so I can allow myself to do my readings for my seminars, or simply switch off, relax and not think about uni-related work for the evening. I also find that if I put the most effort I can into writing my essays during the week, that I am able to take Saturday evenings and Sunday off completely!

This is why it is important to have a schedule and remain balanced. University wouldn’t be an enjoyable experience if you were working at full speed 24/7. Just this weekend I was able to take Sunday off and spend time with my family at a ‘Winter Wonderland’ park. I was able to see my younger sister and we had all sorts of Christmas-themed fun like: ice skating, a woodland walk, and enjoying an awesome hot chocolate! Everyone needs time to switch off and almost have a ‘reset’, that way you can return to work-mode and get things done more efficiently and effectively when you need to!

Essays: Becky and Katie

/ Becky

Hello!

It has got to that time of year when essays are looming for us, so we thought we would write about how to deal with deadlines.

So..

In first year, each term you will have one essay per module that you take. Initially it is quite daunting as you have to really get to grips with time management as well as learning how to reference properly.

Once you have decided on your essay question (you are usually able to pick form a few) it is really good to meet with your tutor to go through your plan and to discuss how to write it in the best way. Tutors will always be happy to help you or to go through things with you, although they cannot read through your essay or tell you what exactly it is you should write – they will guide you in the right direction and you won’t feel completely in the dark.

When it comes to essays the first port of call tends to be the library. Your tutor will provide you with a reading list with useful books and they usually are really helpful so make sure you use them. The library initially seems a bit weird as it has a referencing system which, at first sight, doesn’t really make sense. However, after a while you really do get used to it and when you know what floor / section your modules books will be on you won’t have any trouble finding them.

Referencing is so important. Your tutors will go on and on about it but you have to make sure that you do it and do it properly, otherwise you will get penalised. It can’t be denied that it is tedious but as long as you make sure to reference as you go along, and not leave it until the last minute (a mistake we have both made) it will be much easier to do. Before starting university, you may hear  lot of talk about how difficult referencing is, particularly the Harvard style. However, referencing is actually fairly simple once you get used to it and if you do struggle with a particular style, there are others to choose from. Most tutors will agree that as long as you are consistent, you can choose whichever style suits you best.

Once you have written your essay and filled out the cover form (essays are handed in anonymously) you have to deposit your essay in a rather ominous looking postbox. It is really satisfying once you hand it in, and the fact that you can’t get it back once it’s gone means that you stop thinking about it. Just make sure you put it in the right box! You also have to upload the essay electronically onto the Department’s page. It is so important that you do this as well as handing in the hard copy because otherwise your essay won’t get marked!

Essays can be a drag and they make those last few weeks before the Christmas holidays extra slow, but you have to do them so you might as well try your best, put the time in and work really hard for the last few weeks and then your time off will feel even more deserved.

Saying this however, it is important to take breaks! Don’t stay up all night, every night, barely getting any sleep- trust us, it won’t be worth it. Essay writing is all about a good balance of work and rest. Your flatmates will likely be in the same position so you’ll all be able to help each other in maintaining this balance and then you can all celebrate well after.

They really are not as awful as they initially seem, just try your best and manage your time well and you will get the results you hope for / deserve.

Becky and Katie x