This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
One of the strengths of the Liberal Arts programme is its ability to draw connections between various fields of knowledge of disciplines that have become increasingly fragmented. By focusing on great books of the past and present that straddle across disciplinary boundaries, this module helps students build bridges between various areas of knowledge. While the content will differ from year to year, depending on student and staff interests, this module will explore key themes in philosophy, history, social and political sciences, humanities, literature, art, and the hard sciences. It will aim to show that these disciplines have a great deal in common, and that understanding across great works help create a deeper understanding of contemporary issues. By engaging students with qualitative and quantitative data, it will also allow them to interpret and reflect on information coming from a wide range of sources.
Contact hours: 40
Private Study Hours: 260
Total Study Hours: 300
BA (Hons) Liberal Arts
BA (Hons) Liberal Arts with Year Abroad
Two reading diaries (one each term), each worth 10% of the overall mark
Two 2,000 word essays (one each term), each worth 40% of the overall mark.
Reassessment methods: 100% coursework reassessment.
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)
The module focuses on classic, primary texts and sources. The module outline will specify which editions/translations are to be used.
Plato, The Republic. Various editions.
Augustine, The City of God. Various editions.
Hobbes, The Leviathan. Various editions.
Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of World History. Various editions.
Marx and Engels, The Communist Manifesto. Various editions.
De Beauvoir, The Second Sex. Various editions.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key discourses within the sciences, humanities and social sciences, how they were implemented, and their impact on broader society.
8.2 Understand the relevance of great books across a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to philosophy, history, politics, sociology, literature, art and the sciences.
8.3 Critically evaluate primary and secondary literature across a disciplinary range spanning social sciences, natural sciences and humanities appropriate to the disciplines
8.4 Critically analyse and debate module-relevant topics across a disciplinary range spanning social sciences, natural sciences and humanities
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Employ analytical skills for the interpretation of arguments, evidence and data from published sources
9.2 Use information technology to retrieve, analyse and present information
9.3 Use reasoning to construct arguments within different intellectual contexts and disciplines, and to formulate and address research questions and problems
9.4 Communicate across disciplines
9.5 Make use of constructive informal feedback from staff and peers to assess own progress
9.6 Work independently and manage time and workloads in order to meet personal and group targets and imposed deadlines
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