In this course we will critically assess a number of alternative theories of knowledge. We will also examine debates over scepticism, as well as covering disputes about the nature of epistemic justification.

2 lectures per week for 9 weeks, plus 4 tutorials. The course may not run every year. Options running this year are available on MyCampus.

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ 2 x Essay (2500 words) - 100%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essays, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

The course aims to:

■ introduce students to a number of major issues in the Theory of Knowledge (Epistemology).

■ familiarize students with the main positions and arguments within each topic.

■ enable the students to deploy these arguments for themselves.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

■ Critically engage with contemporary debates on the definition of knowledge;

■ Critically engage with contemporary accounts of scepticism about knowledge;

■ Explain and assess Internalist versus Externalist, and Foundationalist versus Coherentist Theories of Justification

■ Critically discuss approaches to the problem of induction.

Assessment for this course is at Masters Level.