The course is divided into five books. The first provides a general introduction and the other four books explore specific themes in detail. The books are accompanied by six audio CDs, presenting interviews with contemporary philosophers and discussions between the course authors. There is also a set of optional online exercises, which are designed to help you to test your understanding of the concepts introduced on the course.
The course has a website for registered students. This will give you access to a study planner, course and study resources, course news, and links to other OU websites. It includes a link to a MyOpenLibrary page for AA308, which will help you to access useful library resources such as the Philosopher’s Index and the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. It also offers the chance to communicate with other students through a set of online forums. You don’t have to use the website, but we think you will find it helpful.
Throughout the course, you will be supported by your tutor who will provide advice and provide feedback on your assignments. Depending on where you live, your tutor will offer optional face to face tutorials throughout the course, giving you an opportunity to meet fellow students and to discuss the topics covered on the course. There may also be dayschools, offering further scope for discussion with students and tutors on the course.
There are six written assignments (TMAs). Your tutor will provide full written feedback on all your assignments.
For the sixth assignment, you will take a more independent approach to the issues you have been studying: you will be asked to download some philosophy articles or chapters from online databases, choose one to work on, and write an essay which answers a question that you have framed yourself. There is advice on the course website about how to access and use the databases, and your tutor will advise you on your choice of question.
At the end of the course, there is a three hour examination. 50% of your final course result depends on the marks you receive for your assignments, and 50% depends on the grade that you achieve in the exam.
