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BA PhilosophyHandbook for Students

2013/14

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Contents

PHILOSOPHY STAFF ..................................................................................... 5

1. INTRODUCING THE BIRKBECK DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY .... 9

1.1. The Department ............................................................................................................................ 91.1.1. Research and Teaching ........................................................................................................... 91.1.2. The Departments Accommodation at 30 Russell Square ...................................................... 91.1.3. Other teaching rooms used by the Department ....................................................................... 9

1.2. The staff and their roles ............................................................................................................... 91.2.1. The Administrative Staff ......................................................................................................... 91.2.2. Your Teaching Tutors ........................................................................................................... 101.2.3. Your Personal Tutor .............................................................................................................. 101.2.4. The Undergraduate Advisor .................................................................................................. 101.2.5. The BA Tutor ........................................................................................................................ 101.2.6. The Chairman of Department ............................................................................................... 11

1.3. Enrolling and keeping in touch ................................................................................................. 111.3.1. Enrolment and re-enrolment ................................................................................................. 111.3.2. Your email account ............................................................................................................... 111.3.3. Your contact details .............................................................................................................. 11

1.4. Information ................................................................................................................................. 111.4.1. The Department Website ...................................................................................................... 111.4.2. Timetables & Course Guides ................................................................................................ 111.4.3. College Library ..................................................................................................................... 111.4.4. Other Libraries ...................................................................................................................... 121.4.5. IT Services (ITS) ................................................................................................................... 12

2. THE BIRKBECK BA DEGREE IN PHILOSOPHY .................................. 13

2.1. Regulations for the degree ......................................................................................................... 13

2.2. Aims of the degree ...................................................................................................................... 13

2.3. Structure of the degree ............................................................................................................... 13

2.4. The sequence in which modules are studied (part-time students) ......................................... 14

2.5. The sequence in which modules are studied (full-time students) ........................................... 14

2.6. Optional modules ........................................................................................................................ 15

2.7. Syllabuses for modules ............................................................................................................... 16

2.8. Progression .................................................................................................................................. 16

3. LECTURES, TUTORIALS AND ESSAYS .............................................. 16

3.1. The Academic Year .................................................................................................................... 16

3.2. Lectures ....................................................................................................................................... 16

3.3. Tutorials ....................................................................................................................................... 16

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3.4. Attendance at tutorials ............................................................................................................... 17

3.5. Essays and writing assignments ................................................................................................ 17

3.6 Revision Classes 18

4. THE FULL TIME COURSE IN DETAIL ................................................... 17

4.1. The First Year of your course in detail (Full-time students) .................................................. 174.1.1. Tutorials in the First Year ................................................................................................... 174.1.2. Tutorial Participation Marks ................................................................................................. 184.1.3 Essays in the First Year ......................................................................................................... 18

4.1.4. The General Seminar ............................................................................................................ 184.1.5. Logic Exercise Class ............................................................................................................. 19

4.2. The Second Year of your course in detail (Full-time students) .............................................. 194.2.1. Tutorials in the Second Year ................................................................................................ 194.2.2. Essays in the Second Year .................................................................................................... 194.2.3. The General Seminar .......................................................................................................... 201

4.3. The Third Year of your course in detail (Full-time students) ................................................ 204.3.1. Tutorials in the Third Year .................................................................................................. 204.3.2. Essays in the Third Year ....................................................................................................... 204.3.3. The Dissertation .................................................................................................................... 20

4.4. The Third Year from 2014 (Full-time students) ...................................................................... 21

5. THE PART TIME COURSE IN DETAIL .................................................. 21

5.1. The First Year of your course in detail (Part-time students) ................................................ 215.1.1. Tutorials in the First Year ..................................................................................................... 215.1.2. Tutorial Participation Marks ....................................................................................5.1.3. Essays in the First Year ......................................................................................................... 22

5.2. The Second Year of your course in detail (Part-time students) ............................................ 225.2.1. Tutorials in the Second Year ................................................................................................ 225.2.2. Essays in the Second Year .................................................................................................... 235.2.3. Logic Exercise class .............................................................................................................. 23

5.3. The Third Year of your course in detail (Part-time students) ............................................... 235.3.1. Tutorials in the Third Year ................................................................................................ 2355.3.2. Essays in the Third Year ....................................................................................................... 23

5.4. The Fourth Year of your course in detail (Part-time students) ............................................. 245.4.1. Tutorials in the Fourth Year ................................................................................................. 245.4.2. Essays in the Fourth Year ..................................................................................................... 245.4.3. The Dissertation .................................................................................................................... 24

5.5. The Third and Fourth Years from 2014 (Part-time students) ............................................... 25

6. EXAMINATIONS AND ASSESSMENTS ................................................ 25

6.1. Exams every year ........................................................................................................................ 25

6.2. Assessment of individual modules ........................................................................................... 257

6.3. Submission of Dissertations and Presubmitted Essays

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6.4 How the individual modules determine your degree class ...................................................... 25

6.5. Entry forms for examinations and other assessment .............................................................. 26

6.6. Mitigating Circumstances ......................................................................................................... 27

6.7. Exam results ............................................................................................................................... 27

6.8. Transcripts, letters of reference ................................................................................................ 27

6.9. Plagiarism .................................................................................................................................... 276.9.1. What constitutes plagiarism .................................................................................................. 286.9.2. Assisting another student to plagiarise ................................................................................. 286.9.3. Academic declaration form ................................................................................................... 286.9.4. What happens if plagiarism is suspected? ............................................................................ 28

6.10. The Cyril Joad Prize ................................................................................................................... 28

6.11. Graduation .................................................................................................................................. 28

7. GETTING ADVICE .................................................................................. 28

7.1. Academic Problems .................................................................................................................... 287.1.1. Academic difficulties ............................................................................................................ 287.1.2. The Learning Support Officer..............................................................................317.1.3. What to do if you want to take a year out ............................................................................. 297.1.4. What to do if you want to change course .............................................................................. 297.1.5. What to do if you want to leave the College ......................................................................... 297.1.6. What to do if you want to withdraw from examinations ...................................................... 29

7.2. Personal issues ........................................................................................................................... 3027.2.1. Discussing personal issues with the Departments staff ..................................................... 3027.2.2. Harassment ............................................................................................................................ 307.2.3. Student welfare - The Student Union .................................................................................... 307.2.4. Counselling ........................................................................................................................... 307.2.5. Student Health ....................................................................................................................... 307.2.6. The Chaplaincy ..................................................................................................................... 307.2.7. Illness .................................................................................................................................... 317.2.8. Disability Statement for the Department of Philosophy ....................................................... 33

8. FEEDBACK ............................................................................................. 338.1.1. Questions & Feedback .......................................................................................................... 338.1.2. Course Assessment Forms .................................................................................................... 338.1.3. Suggestions & Complaints .................................................................................................... 338.1.4. Student-Staff Exchange ........................................................................................................ 33

9. PHILOSOPHY TALKS, MEETINGS, AND STUDY WEEKENDS .......... 369.1.1. The Birkbeck Philosophy Society ....................................................................................... 3369.1.2. Cumberland Lodge Weekends .............................................................................................. 339.1.3. The Aristotelian Society ....................................................................................................... 349.1.4. The Institute of Philosophy ................................................................................................... 349.1.5. The Jacobsen Lecture ............................................................................................................ 379.1.6. The Royal Institute of Philosophy ...................................................................................... 3479.1.7. Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities ................................................................................... 34

10.YOUR CAREER AFTER YOUR BA PHILOSOPHY ............................... 3410.1.1. Graduate Studies in Philosophy ............................................................................................ 3410.1.2. Applying for funding for postgraduate study ........................................................................ 35

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10.1.3. The Careers Service .............................................................................................................. 35

Philosophy Staff

FACULTY

Mr Cristian Constantinescu

[email protected] 020 3073 8007Room 304, 30 Russell Square

Lecturer:Moral Philosophy, Philosophy of Language and Logic, Metaphysics

Professor Dorothy Edgington

[email protected] 020 7631 6512

Room 305, 30 Russell SquareSenior Research Professor: Logic, Philosophy of Language, Metaphysics &

Epistemology, especially conditionals, Vagueness, Modality, Probabilistic

Reasoning

Dr Michael Garnett


Room 309, 30 Russell SquareLecturer: Political Philosophy, Ethics

Professor Kenneth Gemes


Room 305, 30 Russell SquareProfessor: Philosophy of Science, Philosophical Logic, Nietzsche

Professor Jennifer Hornsby


Room 310, 30 Russell SquareProfessor: Philosophy of Mind & Action, Philosophy of Language, Feminist

Philosophy

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Dr Keith Hossack


Room 307, 30 Russell SquareReader: Metaphysics, Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of

Mathematics

Professor Susan James (away at Princeton with a research fellowship, 2013-14)


Room 311, 30 Russell SquareProfessor: Early Century Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Feminist

Philosophy

Dr Nils Krbis

[email protected]

Room 313, 30 Russell SquareLecturer: Logic, philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of language,metaphysics

Professor Hallvard Lillehammer

[email protected]

Room 308, 30 Russell SquareProfessor: Ethics, metaethics, history of ethical thought, political philosophy,

aesthetics

Dr Robert [email protected]

Room 312, 30 Russell SquareSenior Lecturer: Philosophy of Science, Metaphysics

Dr Sarah Patterson


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Room 306, 30 Russell SquareSenior Lecturer: Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Psychology, Early

Modern Philosophy

Dr Charles Pelling


Room 303, 26 Russell SquareLecturer: Philosophy of Mind, Epistemology

Professor Anthony Price (Chairman of Department and Assistant Dean)[email protected] 020 7631 6380

Room 303, 30 Russell SquareProfessor: Ethics, Greek Philosophy

Dr John Sellars


Room 311, 30 Russell Square

Lecturer:Ancient Philosophy, Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy

If you wish to contact a member of staff from inside the college, the last 4 digits workas extension numbers.

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Honorary and Associate Research Fellows,

Emeritus and Visiting Professors

Dr Dan Cavedon-Taylor

Dr Sam LebensProfessor David Hillel-Ruben

Professor Samuel Guttenplan

Professor Marie McGinn

Dr Simon May

Dr Christian Onof

Dr Harry Platanakis

Dr Gudrun von Tevenar

Dr Mark Vernon

Administrative Staff

Mr Robert Brown

Team [email protected] number 020 7631 6387

Ms Kerry Johnson

Administrator for [email protected] number 020 7631 6385

Ms Simmi Pahwa

Administrator for [email protected] number 020 7631 6383

The Department fax number is: 020 7631 6564

The Department email address is: [email protected]

The website address is: www.bbk.ac.uk/phil/

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1.Introducing the Birkbeck Department of Philosophy

1.1.The Department1.1.1. Research and Teaching

The Birkbeck Department of Philosophy is one of the most distinguished centres of

philosophy research in the United Kingdom. All of its established members ofacademic staff are active researchers, and the Departments research excellence hasbeen consistently recognised in ranking exercises. In the recent Research AssessmentExercise (RAE 2008, in which overall grades for departments are no longer given),Birkbeck retained the standing attained in previous exercises: the research work of allthe faculty was assessed, and 100% of it was judged to be of quality that isinternationally recognized.

The Department gives high priority not only to research but also to providingthe best possible teaching. Our teaching achieved the highest rating when it was lastassessed by the QAA: we scored a maximum 24/24 in the teaching qualityassessment.

The Department aims to give its undergraduates a philosophical education ofthe very highest academic quality. We will not try to foist upon you any particularphilosophical doctrines or dogmas: we want you to learn to think for yourself. Byparticipating for yourself in the great philosophical debates, we hope you will developyour skills of rigorous reasoning; by study, analysis and criticism of the great worksof philosophy, ancient and modern, we hope you will develop your capacity to makereasoned judgements for yourself. Philosophy is an ancient, noble and beautifuldiscipline, and we commend the study of it to you.

1.1.2. The Departments Accommodation at 30 Russell SquareThe Departments accommodation is in 30 Russell Square. The academic staff havetheir offices on the third floor, with one member of staff in 26 Russell Square.Tutorials are often conducted in the room of the member of staff concerned.

Other rooms and features at 30 Russell Square are:

The Department Officeis Room G05 on the Ground Floor of 30 RussellSquare. The Office will normally be the initial inquiry point for any queriesyou may have; it is open in term time from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m, and invacations from 10.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. The Office is staffed by KerryJohnson and Simmi Pahwa.

1.1.3. Other teaching rooms used by the DepartmentThe Main Building and the Extension Building adjoining it are situated betweenMalet Street and Torrington Square, next to Senate House, and the main entrance ison the Torrington Square side. Birkbeck also occupies sites in Gower Street, GordonSquare, Torrington Square and 26 Russell Square. There is a map on the noticeboardto help you find these places. Philosophy lectures may be held in lecture rooms in anyof these places, and also in lecture rooms in UCL or Kings.

1.2.The staff and their roles1.2.1. The Administrative Staff

The Undergraduate Administratoris Kerry Johnson. She is the natural firstport of

call for B.A. students; if she cannot answer your question herself, she will usually be

able to direct you to where the answer can be found. You can contact Kerry by

dropping in at the Office, or by phone (020 7631 6383), or email

[email protected].

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The Postgraduate Administratoris Simmi Pahwa (020 7631 6383,[email protected]). Simmi will also help undergraduates who call at the Office, ifKerry is not available.

The Departments Administration Team Leaderis Robert Brown. His room is on

the second floor of 30 Russell Square. If you need to contact Robertplease do so

through the Department Office (020 7631 6383), or by email to [email protected].

1.2.2. Your Teaching TutorsAs well as having lectures, you will also be taught in tutorials, so that your own workcan receive individual attention. The teacher who takes your tutorial in a subject isyour Teaching Tutorfor that subject; you will therefore normally have severalTeaching Tutors in the course of each academic year, one for each subject in whichyou have tutorials. You will be told who your Teaching Tutors are by email at thestart of each academic year, and lists will be posted on the noticeboard and the web.You must make contact straightaway with your Teaching Tutor(s) at the start of eachterm to confirm your tutorials.

You can contact your Teaching Tutor by email, or by leaving a note in their

pigeonhole in the Office. It may sometimes happen that your Teaching Tutor is notone of the Birkbeck faculty: in that case details of how to contact them will be on theNotice-board, and will be handed out in the lecture for the subject concerned.

If for some reason you have not been allocated a Teaching Tutor for aparticular class, or if any other problems arise in your allocation, please make contactas soon as possible with Kerry Johnson in the Office, so that we can sort the matterout the Office staff are always pleased to help.

1.2.3. Your Personal TutorWhen your course begins, one of the academic staff will be assigned to you as yourPersonal Tutor. You will normally have the same Personal Tutor throughout yourtime at Birkbeck, so he or she should get to know you fairly well. Your Personal

Tutor is a friendly contact on the staff to whom you can look for academic advice andencouragement, and also someone from whom you can request a reference at the endof your studies (or sooner). If problems arise during the course, your Personal Tutorwill usually be the best person to speak to in the first instance.

You meet with your Personal Tutor at the beginning of the academic year andalso once in each of the Spring and Summer terms. The meeting at the start of theacademic year is to discuss your tutorial allocations and study plans. The meetings inthe other terms are to discuss your academic progress in the light of the reports onyour work from your Teaching Tutors. If you need to see your Personal Tutor beforeyour next termly meeting falls due, you are welcome to make an earlier appointmentby email or via the Office.

1.2.4. The Undergraduate AdvisorThe Undergraduate Advisor is Charlie Pelling (T1), and thenNils Krbis(T2 & T3).As well as consulting your Personal Tutor, you can also consult him about anyacademic or personal difficulties you may have. (However, as he is new this term, hemay well need to consult others.) The Undergraduate Advisor is responsible for allwelfare and disciplinary matters concerning undergraduates, and oversees thePersonal Tutor system. Unsatisfactory academic progress by an undergraduate isreported to the Undergraduate Advisor.

1.2.5. The BA TutorThe BA tutor is Robert Northcott. He has overall responsibility for the BAprogramme, and will be pleased to receive suggestions for its improvement.

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1.2.6. The Chairman of DepartmentThe Chairman of Department is Anthony Price. He has responsibility for the wholeDepartment, including all the teaching and supervision of undergraduate andpostgraduate students. If you feel that a matter needs his personal attention you canemail him or arrange an appointment through the Department Office.

1.3.Enrolling and keeping in touch1.3.1. Enrolment and re-enrolment

You will need to enrol on your programme of study before the start of each academicyear. If you do not complete enrolment and pay the appropriate fees, you will not bepermitted to attend classes or access any college facilities, including the Library,computing resources or the Students Union.

You will need to enrol and set up fee payment arrangements online by no laterthan 31 October. For further information, see the Registry websitewww.bbk.ac.uk/enrol.

1.3.2. Your email accountAll students must have an active email address, and must check their email regularly:this is how the Department will keep in touch with you, and it is vital for speedycommunication. If you wish, you can obtain a Birkbeck email address from ITServices (see para 1.4.7). It is up to you whether you use your private email address ora Birkbeck address, but you MUST let the Office know your preferred email address:this is the one we will use to contact you. If your preferred email address changes youmust notify the Office straightaway. All Teaching Tutors and Personal Tutors can becontacted by email.

1.3.3. Your contact detailsWhen you start your course you will need to give the College your contact details:please keep the College Registry informed of any changes. If your address changes

you will need to keep us informed by updating your My Birkbeck Profile. Please notethat we cannot take change of address details by email or over the phone.

1.4.Information1.4.1. The Department Website

Our website is at www.bbk.ac.uk/phil/. The site contains a great deal of importantinformation about the Department and the course, including the Aims and Objectivesof Degree Programmes and Courses; Timetables; the Department Handbooks;information about staff; and links to other university webpages.

1.4.2. Timetables & Course GuidesLecture and tutorial timetables are posted on the website. They are also on thenoticeboard, and copies are available from the Department Office.

1.4.3. College LibraryThe College Library(www.bbk.ac.uk/lib/) is situated in the main building on MaletStreet. The entrance is on the ground floor and the upper levels can be accessed bystairs or a lift. Your College ID card gives you automatic use of the Library. You needto bring your card with you every time you visit the Library to activate the turnstile atthe entrance. For opening times check the library website at www.bbk.ac.uk/lib/.

Undergraduates may borrow up to 10 items, which can be renewed if not requested byanother reader. Most books can be borrowed for 3 weeks. Some books, videos andDVDs can only be borrowed for 1 week, and certain items in heavy demand may be1-day loans or reference only items. Fines are charged for the late return of items, but

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you can sign up for email reminders to help you avoid fines.

Introductory tours. New students should sign up for an introductory tour of theLibrary at the start of the academic year. The session will last about half an hour. Thetours will take place during the first few weeks of term and will be advertised on theLibrary website.

What the Library contains. As well as books and printed academic journals, theLibrary contains many electronic resources: journals, databases and books. You canaccess these from anywhere within College using your IT Services username andpassword. The majority of these resources can also be accessed from outside College.

You can use the library website to:

Search the Library catalogue, renew your books and reserve items that are outon loan.

Read articles in electronic journal titles and newspapers. Search databases such as The Philosophers Index, Historical Abstracts, Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and JSTOR. Read electronic books via Oxford Scholarship Online. Access past exam papers. Work through LIFE an online tutorial designed to help you make the most of

the Library.

Further information and help.If a book you want is not available in the Library, oryou need help with using the resources or finding information, please ask at the HelpDesk (020 7631 6063). Alternatively, contact your Subject Librarian, who is Charlotte

Hobson (020 7631 6063,[email protected])

1.4.4. Other LibrariesBirkbeck students can also use a range of other libraries. You have reference-onlyaccess to most University of London college libraries. In addition, the SCONULAccess Scheme gives you reference and/or borrowing access to over 170 other highereducation libraries around the UK. See the College Library website for moreinformation.

1.4.5. IT Services (ITS)ITS is an academic service department responsible for the central communications

and IT infrastructure of the College. They provide a wide range of network services

to support the teaching, learning, research and administrative activities of Collegestaff and students. ITS facilities and services include:

Extensive campus data network providing high speed connectivity to theInternet

Purpose-built computer classrooms equipped with up-to-date networked PCsand high-quality printers (at least one open 24 hours a day)

Wide range of general software applications (e.g. word-processing, email,web) and specialist packages

Wireless connectivity to the College network from your laptop or otherpersonal computer equipment

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Facilities for students with special needs, including technical support andadvice on the use of assistive technologies to help with specific disabilities

Helpdesk with extended opening hours for general computing queries Practical, hands-on training workshops on general applications and self-

training materials to enable you to work at your own pace

Remote access to College electronic resources and services from home orwork

An online electronic course management system to support learning (Moodle)You can find out more about these services and others by visiting the My Birkbeckwebsite

Access to all IT services is controlled by using a username and password.These are provided to all registered students of the College along with personalstorage space on a networked file server.

An email address nominated and maintained by you will be used by theCollege for all College correspondence with you. Students requiring a Birkbeck emailaccount can apply for one. You are expected to access the My Studies at Birkbeckwebsite to update your email address and other personal details and to accessinformation about your programme of study. There is also a text message news flashservice which enables students to receive free urgent messages from the College viatheir mobile phones. Full details are available on the My Birkbeck website.

2.The Birkbeck BA degree in Philosophy

2.1.Regulations for the degreeThe BA Philosophy degree comes under the Common Awards Scheme, theregulations for which may be consulted at http://www.bbk.ac.uk/reg/regs/cas. Thedegree may be taken either part-time or full-time.

2.2.Aims of the degreeThe main aims of the degree are as follows:

To ensure students have a strong grounding in Western philosophy and itshistory, in the broadly analytic tradition.

To foster the skills of clear logical thought and presentation, careful analysisof ideas and imaginative deployment of argument.

To assess the source and nature of values.

To provide students with the ability to fashion thoughts and concepts withprecision, rigour and clarity.

To develop intellectual curiosity and independent thinking.2.3.Structure of the degree

In order to graduate, a student must obtain credits by passing modules. The CommonAwards Scheme assigns modules to levels; for the BA Philosophy, the relevant levelsare levels 4, 5 and 6. Students need 360 credits to graduate; on the BA Philosophy,120 of these must be at Level 4, 90 at Level 5, and 150 at Level 6. All modules atlevels 4 and 5 are worth 30 credits, and most modules at level 6 are worth 15 credits.

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The degree course gives students a systematic education in the central areas ofphilosophy, and also an opportunity to pursue advanced topics as optional modules.The central areas are:

(A) logic, epistemology and metaphysics;

(B) the theory of value (including ethics, political philosophy and aesthetics);and

(C) the history of philosophy.

At levels 4 and 5, the student takes at least one module in each of the areas A, B andC. This solid foundation at levels 4 and 5, together with the students own choice ofadvanced topics at level 6, adds up to a coherent and challenging first degree inphilosophy, which will also provide an excellent basis for further study in the field.

2.4.The sequence in which modules are studied (part-timestudents)

Part-time students take exactly the same modules as full-time students, but they do amodule fewer each year compared with full-time students. Thus part-time studentstake 90 credits a year, and do the whole degree over four years.

The sequence of modules for part-time students is as follows:

Year One:

Introduction to Epistemology and Metaphysics (Level 4)

Introduction to Ethics and Political Philosophy (Level 4)

Introduction to the History of Philosophy (Level 4)

Year Two:

Introduction to Logic (Level 4)

Epistemology and Metaphysics (Level 5)

Ethics and Political Philosophy (Level 5)

Year Three:

History of Philosophy (Level 5)

Four Options (Level 6)

Year Four:

Four Options (Level 6)

Dissertation (Level 6)

NB. The sequence of modules for students currently in Years 3 & 4 is different: in Y3,

current students must take Further Epistemology and Metaphysics in place of twooptions, and the remaining two options are at Level 5; in Y4, students must takeFurther History of Philosophy in place of two options. See 5.5 (below).

2.5.The sequence in which modules are studied (full-timestudents)

Full-time students take exactly the same modules as part-time students, but they takean extra module each year compared with part-time students. Thus full-time studentstake 120 credits a year, and do the whole degree over three years.

The sequence of modules for full-time students is as follows:

Year One:


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Year Two:




Two Options (Level 6)

Year Three:

Six Options (Level 6)


NB. The sequence of modules is different for current Finalists: in Y2, both optionswere at Level 5; in Y3, students must take Further History of Philosophy and Further

Epistemology and Metaphysics in place of four options. See 4.4 (below).

2.6.Optional modulesEach student selects their own choice of optional modules from a list that typicallyincludes:

Aesthetics

Agency and Accountability

Ancient Philosophy (Advanced Topics)

Epistemology (Advanced Topics)

Ethics (Advanced Topics)

Foundations of Analytic Philosophy*

Nietzsche

Philosophy of Language

Metaphysics (Advanced Topics)

Mind and Body

Modern Philosophy (Advanced Topics)

Philosophy of Biology*Philosophy of Kant*

Philosophical Logic*

Philosophy of Mathematics*

Philosophy of Psychology*

Philosophy of Science*

Political Philosophy (Advanced Topics)

( * denotes module runs every other year)

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Please note that not all these modules will necessarily be offered in anyparticular year. However, we will always ensure that students have a choice thataccommodates different sorts of interest in the subject.

2.7.Syllabuses for modulesModule specifications for individual modules are on the Department website. These

describe the module and the teaching arrangements, and usually have suggestions forreading.

2.8.ProgressionTo guarantee progression from one year of the course to the next you must pass all ofthe modules you are following that year. If you fail one or more modules the ExamBoard will determine whether you may be reassessed at a later date or whether youmust retake the entire module; this decision will be in part based upon your essay andtutorial work over the year. If you must retake a module, you may not be permitted toprogress to the following year of your course.

3.Lectures, tutorials and essays

3.1.The Academic YearThe academic year is divided into three terms, Autumn, Spring, and Summer commonly known austerely as T1, T2, and T3. The week before Autumn term starts isAdministration Week, which precedes the first week of actual teaching. Staff meetstudents on the Thursday and Friday of Administration Week to organise everythingfor the coming year. In the Autumn and Spring terms there is usually a ReadingWeekhalf-way through the term, when there are no classes. Examinations are heldduring Summer Term. There is no Reading Weekin the Summer Term.

3.2.LecturesThe Birkbeck timetable includes times of all lectures, including possibly somelectures at other Colleges that are relevant to Birkbeck students. You are required toattend the lectures for all the subjects you are studying.

3.3.TutorialsA tutorial is a small group of students who meet regularly with the Teaching Tutor(see section 1.2.2) to discuss the philosophical theories and ideas they have beenstudying in Lectures. This gives students an opportunity to learn from each other, andalso to learn how to participate in a genuine philosophical discussion. The tutor, whocomes to know the work of each student well, marks the essays set for the tutorials,and gives students individual feedback as required.

Tutorials succeed best when everyone has conscientiously done the work setby the tutor as preparation for the tutorial. You are urged not to let your tutorialpartners down; please do not fail to do the set reading and to write your essays whenthey fall due. That way everyone is up to speed at the start of the tutorial, and therecan be a high quality discussion, in which everyone will learn from everyone else.

Tutorial groups early in the course are usually a little bigger than in the lateryears, to allow students who are doing more advanced work to get more individualattention. In particular, it is the practice at Birkbeck to provide students in the finalyear of the degree with individual tutorials in Dissertation Supervisions with membersof the faculty. Many students report that these individual philosophical encounterswith the Departments distinguished researchers are the high point of their

undergraduate philosophical studies.

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3.4.Attendance at tutorialsIf you are unable to attend a tutorial, you should let your tutor know beforehand.Absence from tutorials without good reason is not permitted and will be reported tothe Undergraduate Advisor.

3.5.Essays and writing assignmentsThe writing of essays is an essential part of your course, since it gives you theopportunity to develop your skills in presenting a case in writing. Try to give youressay a good organisation and structure, so that it makes your points clearly. If thetitle of the essay is a question, make sure your essay actually answers the question!Good essay-writing is a key study skill: therefore do consult your tutor for detailedadvice if necessary. A leaflet on how to write essays is available from the Office.

In each year of the course, you are required to write for each module aspecified number of essays. All essays must be typed or word-processed, and thepages must be numbered. You must submit your essay to your tutor at least twenty-four hours before the start of your tutorial. Your tutor will then return your essayto you with a mark and perhaps some comments at your tutorial, where you will havean opportunity to ask questions about it. In all cases your essay should answer the

question set, and should be based on the recommended reading. Your tutor is yourfirst point of call for any detailed advice on how to improve your essay writing.

3.6 Revision Classes

In each year, revision classes to help students prepare for their examinations will bescheduled within the first two weeks of the Summer Term.

4.The Full-time course in detail

4.1.The First Year of your course in detail (Full-time students)In the first year of the Philosophy B.A. you will take four modules, as follows:





You will have one lecture a week on each module, a weekly tutorial, a weeklyseminar, and a fortnightly Logic Exercise Class.

4.1.1. Tutorials in the First YearYou have a Tutorial once a week throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms. Youalways have your tutorial at the same time each week, but the topic of the tutorialsrotates on a three-weekly cycle around the following three modules:Introduction to

Epistemology and Metaphysics,Introduction to Ethics and Political Philosophy, andIntroduction to the History of Philosophy. Please see the timetable for details of whenthese tutorials take place.

Since the purpose of a tutorial is collective discussion, if it is to be successfulit is necessary that everyone does the set preparatory work in advance. At the start ofthe academic year you will be given reading lists and essay titles for all your tutorialsfor the year; please do the reading and essays on schedule so as not to let down theother students in your tutorial.

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4.1.2. Tutorial Participation MarksAt the end of each term, your Teaching Tutor will award you a mark for yourparticipation in tutorials. This mark contributes 10% (5% each term) towards yourfinal module mark for each ofIntroduction to Epistemology and Metaphysics,

Introduction to Ethics and Political Philosophy, andIntroduction to the History ofPhilosophy. To score well, you will need to prepare properly for each tutorial, and

you will also have to be a good participant: that means, obviously, not just sitting insilence, but it also means not taking over the discussion and hectoring or bullyingothers. However, dont be unduly worried by this: one of your Teaching Tutors jobsis to teach you how to discuss philosophy well, and by attending regularly and takingyour Tutors advice you will be sure to improve at this important philosophical skill.

Note that, if you do not attend your tutorials, you will not have participated inany discussions, and you will be awarded a participation mark of 0%. If you attendfewer than the required number of tutorials, your mark will also be proportionatelylower. Therefore, if you have good reason for missing tutorials, it is essential that youdiscuss your situation with your Personal Tutor as soon as possible: your PersonalTutor will be able to advise you on how to make a Mitigating Circumstances claimwith respect to your tutorial participation mark.

4.1.3. Essays in the First YearStudents are required to write a minimum of two essays per term per module inpreparation for their tutorials (not includingIntroduction to Logic, about which seebelow).As a full-time student, therefore, you are requiredto write six essays per termin the first year. However, you may, if you wish, write more essays than this indeed, you may write an essay for every tutorial. The more essays you write, themore quickly you will develop as a philosopher, and the better you will do in yourdegree.

Each essay must be submitted twenty-four hours in advance of the tutorial atwhich it is due. It will then be returned to you, marked and with comments, at thattutorial. Late essays will not be marked.A good first year essay should ideally be in

the region of 1000-1500 words, though shorter essays will be accepted.

At the end of each term, you will be required to resubmittwo essays permodule, online via Moodle. This constitutes official proof that the essays have beencompleted in accordance with the minimum requirement. You will not receivefeedback on these resubmitted essaysthe feedback comes earlier, at your tutorials.Completion of each essay counts for 3% of your module mark; completion of all four(two each term) therefore counts for 12%. An essay counts as completed if it is (i)properly submitted online by the end-of-term deadline, (ii) is on one of the set tutorialtopics for that module that term, and (iii) meets the minimum standard for a pass.

Each completed essay automatically receives the full 3%--the essay marks given byyour tutors are solely for your own information and development.

At the end of the academic year you will have written up to 20 essays fortutorials. By using the individual comments you receive, the ideas you gain during the

tutorials, and material covered in lectures and revision classes, you will be able to use

your essays to help prepare for examinations, and as the basis for further study in the

more advanced modules later in the course. See sections 3.5. and 3.6 for furtheradvice and regulations about essays.

4.1.4. The General SeminarPart-time students get 80 tutorials over the four years they study for the degree, butfull-time students get only 60 tutorials over their three years. We therefore provide aweekly seminar class for full-time students only, to compensate for their fewertutorials.

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The seminar is a group of 10-12 students who meet weekly to discuss thephilosophical topics selected by the seminar leader.

Attendance at the General Seminar is compulsory. Please see the timetable fordetails of when the seminars take place.

4.1.5. Logic Exercise ClassYou will not find it possible fully to understand the topics covered in theIntroductionto Logicmodule without doing plenty of exercises, i.e., problems that are set for youto solve as practice. Your Logic lecturer will therefore regularly set exercises for youto tackle throughout the year. You may find that you can do the exercises well enoughon your own, without any help. But if you are finding the exercises tricky, or there arequestions you want to ask, then you can attend the fortnightly Logic Exercise Class toget some extra help.

4.2.The Second Year of your course in detail (Full-timestudents)

In the second year you will take the following four modules:

Epistemology and Metaphysics (Level 5)Ethics and Political Philosophy (Level 5)



You will have one lecture a week on each module, a weekly tutorial, a three-weeklyoption tutorial, and a weekly seminar.

4.2.1. Tutorials in the Second YearYou will have one weekly tutorial that rotates betweenEpistemology and

Metaphysics,Ethics and Political Philosophy, andHistory of Philosophy. This

weekly tutorial will function in much the same way as did your weekly tutorial in thefirst year. In addition, however, you will have an extra tutorial once every threeweeks for your Optionmodule. Please see the timetable for details of when thesetutorials take place.

The purpose of the tutorial is collective discussion, so it is necessary thateveryone does the set preparatory work in advance. At the start of the academic yearyou will be given reading lists and essay titles for all your tutorials for the year; pleasedo the reading and essays on schedule so as not to let down the other students in yourtutorial.

4.2.2. Essays in the Second YearAs a full-time student you continue to be required to write a weekly essay in

preparation for your tutorial. The deadline for your essay is twenty-four hours inadvance of the tutorial. Essays submitted by the deadline will be returned at therelevant tutorial with marks and comments. Late essays will be returned at the tutorsconvenience, and very late essays may not be marked at all. A good second year essayshould ideally be in the region of 1500-2000 words, though shorter essays will beaccepted.

Note that the assessment for your three compulsory modules will consist in atwo-hour exam and a presubmitted essay. Typically, the presubmitted essay will be apolished version of an essay that you have previously submitted for a tutorial. Youare advised to bear this in mind as you prepare your tutorial essays during the year.

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4.2.3. The General SeminarThere is a weekly seminar class for full-time students only. The seminar is a group of10-12 students who meet weekly to discuss the philosophical topics selected by theseminar leader.

4.3. The Third Year of your course in detail (Full-time students)

N.B. This section describes the structure of the third year for students entering it in2013. The structure will be different for subsequent cohorts (see 4.4).

In the third year you will take the following four modules:

Further Epistemology and Metaphysics (Level 6)

Further History of Philosophy (Level 6)



You will have one lecture a week on each non-Dissertation module, and a weeklytutorial. You will also have individual scheduled meetings with your Dissertation

supervisor.4.3.1. Tutorials in the Third Year

You have a Tutorial once a week throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms. Thepattern of your tutorials in the Third year is similar to the rotation you had in the FirstYear. Please see the timetable for details of when these tutorials take place.

The purpose of the tutorial is collective discussion, so it is necessary thateveryone does the set preparatory work in advance. At the start of the academic yearyou will be given reading lists and essay titles for all your tutorials for the year; pleasedo the reading and essays on schedule so as not to let down the other students in yourtutorial.

4.3.2. Essays in the Third YearAs a full-time student you continue to be required to write a weekly essay inpreparation for your tutorial. The deadline for your essay is twenty-four hours inadvance of the tutorial. Essays submitted by the deadline will be returned at therelevant tutorial with marks and comments. Late essays will be returned at the tutorsconvenience, and very late essays may not be marked at all. A good third-year essayshould ideally be in the region of 2000-2500 words, though shorter essays will beaccepted.

Note that the assessment for Further Epistemology and Metaphysicsand forFurther History of Philosophywill consist in a two-hour exam and a presubmittedessay. Typically, the presubmitted essay will be a polished version of an essay thatyou have previously submitted for a tutorial. You are advised to bear this in mind asyou prepare your tutorial essays during the year.

4.3.3. The Dissertation

At the end of your Second year you will have been assigned a Dissertation supervisorbased on the proposed topic of your Dissertation, and you will have met with yourSupervisor for a preliminary meeting to plan out your Dissertation work for the year.If you have not been assigned a supervisor please contact Kerry Johnson at once; andif you have not had a preliminary meeting, you should contact your supervisor as soonas possible.

In order to ensure fairness between students, there are strict regulationsconcerning the number of Dissertation supervisions you are permitted. In addition to

the preliminary meeting, students are allowed no more than two supervisions.

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Typically one of these will be on a plan or outline, and the other on a full draft.However, it is up to you and your supervisor to agree on how best to use this time.

The maximum length of a Dissertation is 7,500 words. This includesfootnotes, endnotes, subheadings and appendices; it excludes the bibliography. Notethat the word limit is strict: examiners are instructed tostop readingwhen they reachit. There is no minimum length, but it is expected that most dissertations will come

close to the maximum length.

4.4. The Third Year from 2014 (Full-time students)

Students entering the third year in 2014 or thereafter will study the followingmodules:

Year 3

Any six options (Level 6)


Further details will be included in the next edition of this Handbook.

5.The Part-time course in detail

5.1.The First Year of your course in detail (Part-time students)In the first year of the Philosophy B.A. you will take three modules, as follows:




You have one lecture a week on each module, and a weekly tutorial.

5.1.1. Tutorials in the First yearYou have a Tutorial once a week throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms. Youalways have your tutorial at the same time each week, but the topic of the tutorialsrotates on a three-weekly cycle around your three modules ofIntroduction to

Epistemology and Metaphysics,Introduction to Ethics and Political Philosophy, andIntroduction to the History of Philosophy. Please see the timetable for details of whenthese tutorials take place.

Since the purpose of a tutorial is collective discussion, if it is to be successfulit is necessary that everyone does the set preparatory work in advance. At the start ofthe academic year you will be given reading lists and essay titles for all your tutorials

for the year; please do the reading and essays on schedule so as not to let down theother students in your tutorial.

5.1.2. Tutorial Participation MarksAt the end of each term, your Teaching Tutor will award you a mark for yourparticipation in tutorials. This mark contributes 10% (5% each term) towards yourfinal module mark for each of your three modules. To score well, you will need toprepare properly for each tutorial, and you will also have to be a good participant: thatmeans, obviously, not just sitting in silence, but it also means not taking over thediscussion and hectoring or bullying others. However, dont be unduly worried bythis: one of your Teaching Tutors jobs is to teach you how to discuss philosophywell, and by attending regularly and taking your Tutors advice you will be sure toimprove at this important philosophical skill.

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Note that, if you do not attend your tutorials, you will not have participated inany discussions, and you will be awarded a participation mark of 0%. If you attendfewer than the required number of tutorials, your mark will also be proportionatelylower. Therefore, if you have good reason for missing tutorials, it is essential that youdiscuss your situation with your Personal Tutor as soon as possible: your PersonalTutor will be able to advise you on how to make a Mitigating Circumstances claimwith respect to your tutorial participation mark.

5.1.3. Essays in the First YearStudents are required to write a minimum of two essays per term per module inpreparation for their tutorials.As a part-time student, therefore, you are requiredtowrite six essays per term in the first year. However, you may, if you wish, write moreessays than this indeed, you may write an essay for every tutorial. The more essaysyou write, the more quickly you will develop as a philosopher, and the better you willdo in your degree.

Each essay must be submitted twenty-four hours in advance of the tutorial atwhich it is due. It will then be returned to you, marked and with comments, at thattutorial. Late essays will not be marked.Each of your essays should ideally be in the

region of 1000-1500 words, but a shorter essay is permissible if you are pushed fortimeremember: any essay is better than no essay.

At the end of each term, you will be required to resubmittwo essays permodule, online via Moodle. This constitutes official proof that the essays have beencompleted in accordance with the minimum requirement. You will not receivefeedback on these resubmitted essaysthe feedback comes earlier, at your tutorials.Completion of each essay counts for 3% of your module mark; completion of all four(two each term) therefore counts for 12%. An essay counts as completed if it is (i)properly submitted online by the end-of-term deadline, (ii) is on one of the set tutorialtopics for that module that term, and (iii) meets the minimum standard for a pass.

Each completed essay automatically receives the full 3%--the essay marks given byyour tutors are solely for your own information and development.

At the end of the academic year you will have written up to 20 essays fortutorials. By using the individual comments you receive, the ideas you gain during the

tutorials, and material covered in lectures and revision classes, you will be able to use

your essays as the basis for further study in the more advanced modules later in the

course. See sections 3.5. for further advice and regulations about essays.

5.2.The Second Year of your course in detail (Part-timestudents)

In the Second Year you will take three modules, as follows:




You have one lecture a week on each module, a weekly tutorial, and a fortnightlyLogic Exercise Class.

5.2.1. Tutorials in the Second YearYou have a Tutorial once a week throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms. Youalways have your tutorial at the same time each week, but the topic of the tutorialsalternates betweenEpistemology and MetaphysicsandEthics and PoliticalPhilosophy. Thus in your tutorials you spend two weeks on one of your Level 5modules, then two weeks on the other, then two weeks on the first again, and so on

throughout the year.Please see the timetable for details of when these tutorials takeplace.

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5.2.2. Essays in the Second YearAs a part-time student you are required to write a fortnightly essay throughout theAutumn and Spring Terms. Because the subject of the tutorials alternates fortnightly,the subject of your fortnightly essays will also alternate. As in the First Year, for eachmeeting of a tutorial for part-time students, half the students must write an essay anddo the set reading, while the other half need do only the reading. At the following

meeting, its the other way round.You must submit your essay twenty-four hours before the tutorial for which it

is due. Essays submitted by the deadline will be returned at the relevant tutorial withmarks and comments. Late essays will be returned at the tutors convenience, andvery late essays may not be marked at all. Each of your essays should ideally be in theregion of 1500-2000 words, but remember: any essay is better than no essay.

Note that the assessment for your three compulsory modules will consist in atwo-hour exam and a presubmitted essay. Typically, the presubmitted essay will be apolished version of an essay that you have previously submitted for a tutorial. Youare advised to bear this in mind as you prepare your tutorial essays during the year.

5.2.3. Logic Exercise ClassYou will not find it possible fully to understand the topics covered in theIntroductionto Logicmodule without doing plenty of exercises, i.e., problems that are set for youto solve as practice. Your Logic lecturer will therefore regularly set exercises for youto tackle throughout the year. You may find that you can do the exercises well enoughon your own, without any help. But if you are finding the exercises tricky, or there arequestions you want to ask, then you can attend the fortnightly Logic Exercise Class toget some extra help.

5.3.The Third Year of your course in detail (Part-timestudents)

N.B. This section describes the structure of the third year for students entering it in

2013. The structure will be different for subsequent cohorts (see 5.5).In the Third Year you will take three modules, as follows:



Further Epistemology and Metaphysics(Level 6)

You have one lecture a week on each module, and a weekly tutorial.

5.3.1. Tutorials in the Third YearAs in earlier years of your course, you have a Tutorial once a week throughout theAutumn and Spring Terms. You always have your tutorial at the same time each

week, but the topic of the tutorials rotates every three weeks around your threemodules.Please see the timetable for details of when these tutorials take place.

5.3.2. Essays in the Third YearAs a part-time student you are required to write a fortnightly essay throughout theAutumn and Spring Terms. You must submit your essay twenty-four hours before thetutorial for which it is due. Essays submitted by the deadline will be returned at therelevant tutorial with marks and comments. Late essays will be returned at the tutorsconvenience, and very late essays may not be marked at all.

As in the earlier parts of your course, for each meeting of a tutorial for part-time students, half the students must write an essay and do the set reading, while theother half need do only the reading. At the following meeting, its the other wayround.

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Note that the assessment for Further Epistemology and Metaphysicsconsists in atwo-hour exam and a presubmitted essay. Typically, the presubmitted essay will be apolished version of an essay that you have previously submitted for a tutorial. Youare advised to bear this in mind as you prepare your tutorial essays during the year.

5.4.The Fourth Year of your course in detail (Part-timestudents)N.B. This section describes the structure of the fourth year for students entering it in

2013 and 2014. The structure will be different for subsequent cohorts (see 5.5).

In the Fourth Year you will take three modules, as follows:

Further History of Philosophy (Level 6)



You will have one lecture a week on each module, and a weekly tutorial.

5.4.1. Tutorials in the Fourth YearAs in earlier years of your course, you have a Tutorial once a week throughout theAutumn and Spring Terms. The pattern of these Tutorials resembles that from yourSecond year: that is, Tutorials will alternate fortnightly between Further History ofPhilosophyand your second Option. In addition, you will have individual scheduledmeetings with your Dissertation supervisor.

5.4.2. Essays in the Fourth YearAs a part-time student you are required to write a fortnightly essay throughout theAutumn and Spring Terms. You must submit your essay twenty-four hours before thetutorial for which it is due. Essays submitted by the deadline will be returned at therelevant tutorial with marks and comments. Late essays will be returned at the tutorsconvenience, and very late essays may not be marked at all. Each of your essays

should ideally be in the region of 2000-2500 words, but remember: any essay is betterthan no essay.

As in the earlier parts of your course, for each meeting of a tutorial for part-time students, half the students must write an essay and do the set reading, while theother half need do only the reading. At the following meeting, its the other wayround.

Note that the assessment for Further History of Philosophyconsists in a two-hourexam and a presubmitted essay. Typically, the presubmitted essay will be a polishedversion of an essay that you have previously submitted for a tutorial. You are advisedto bear this in mind as you prepare your tutorial essays during the year.

5.4.3. The DissertationAt the end of your Third year you will have been assigned a Dissertation supervisorbased on the proposed topic of your Dissertation, and you will have met with yourSupervisor for a preliminary meeting to plan out your Dissertation work for the year.If you have not been assigned a supervisor please contact Kerry Johnson at once; andif you have not had a preliminary meeting, you should contact your supervisor as soonas possible.

In order to ensure fairness between students, there are strict regulationsconcerning the number of Dissertation supervisions you are permitted. In addition tothe preliminary meeting, students are allowed no more than two supervisions.Typically one of these will be on a plan or outline, and the other on a full draft.However, it is up to you and your supervisor to agree on how best to use this time.

The maximum length of a Dissertation is 7,500 words. This includesfootnotes, endnotes, subheadings and appendices; it excludes the bibliography. Note

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that the word limit is strict: examiners are instructed tostop readingwhen they reachit. There is no minimum length, but it is expected that most dissertations will comeclose to the maximum length.

5.5. The Third and Fourth Years from 2014 (Part-time students)

Students entering the third year in 2014 or thereafter, and the fourth year in 2015 or

thereafter, will study the following modules:Year 3


Four options (Level 6)

Year 4

Four options (Level 6)


Further details will be included in the next edition of this Handbook.

6.Examinations and assessments

6.1.Exams every yearYou will have to sit examinations in the Summer term of each year of your course.All the examinations are degree examinations, so all are important. However, examsin the earlier year of the course are not weighted as heavily as exams in the lateryears, so if your early results are a bit disappointing you can still do well overall ifyou put in the extra effort.

6.2.Assessment of individual modulesThe assessment method for modules at each level is as follows:Level 4: Each module at level 4 is assessed by a single two-hour unseenexamination.

Level 5: Each module at level 5 is assessed by (i) a two-hour unseenexamination and (ii) a 2500-word extended essay. Each answer in the unseenexamination carries the same weight as the extended essay

Level 6: Modules are assessed in different ways (some by writtenexamination, some by presubmitted essays), and details will be publishedseparately.

6.3.Submission of Dissertations and Presubmitted EssaysDeadlines for the submission of all examinable written work will be published eachyear, together with details of the method of submission. You will always be requiredto submit a copy of your work online via Moodle, where automatic software willcheck it for possible plagiarism (note, however, that final judgements concerningsuspected plagiarism rest with the examiners, not with the software). You may alsobe required to submit hard copies of your work as well.

All submitted work must be completely anonymous: neither your name nor yourstudent number may appear anywhere on your work, and it must be impossible for theexaminer to determine your identity by reading what you have submitted. Only yourcandidate numbershould be used to identify the work as your own.

All submitted work should be word-processed and in a standard font (e.g. 12-pointTimes New Roman). It should be double-spaced and printed on just one side of each

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piece of paper. There is no single required system for references, but your work mustnevertheless consistently conform to some functional system.

6.4.How the individual modules determine your degree classThe details of the scheme according to which the College will determine your degreeclass can be consulted on the College website, at

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/reg/regs/cas/conferment/honoursclass.In outline, the scheme is as follows.

1. Each module will be assessed on a numerical scale from 0 to 100. In orderto pass a module, a student must attain a mark of at least 40. (If you fail amodule with a mark above 35, however, it may be possible for this to becompensated by a higher pass in another module.)

2. Level 4 modules will NOT be used to determine the class of the degree; buta candidate must have completed all the requirements for all Level 4 modulesif they are to be given an honours degree.

3. Each 30-credit Level 5 module is weighted equally with each 15-creditLevel 6 module (30-credit Level 6 modules, such as the Dissertation, aretherefore double-weighted). The classification of honours degree to beawarded is guided by the average of all the weighted results for completedmodules from Levels 5 and 6.

4. The College sets the class of Degree that may be awarded as follows:

First: 70% or above for the average weighted module results;

Upper Second: 60% or above for the average weighted moduleresults;

Lower Second: 50% or above for the average weighted moduleresults;

Third: 40% or above for the average weighted module results.5. However, to allow the Exam Boards some discretion, the Regulations addthe following:

The final Degree classification arrived at through the assessmentprocess is based on academic judgement and the above calculation isonly used as a guide.

6.5.Entry forms for examinations and other assessmentYou are required to complete an assessment entry form for each year in which you arebeing assessed, whether by examination, extended essay or dissertation. These forms,together with information on how to fill them in correctly, are sent out in December

by Departments.You will need to:

ensure that your programme of study and personal details on the form are up-to-date, making corrections where necessary;

ensure that the code corresponding to each module is written clearly andaccurately to ensure that you are entered properly for each module;

indicate whether you require consideration for special examinationarrangements for reasons of health/disability, including dyslexia: please seethe College guidelines on applying for special examination arrangements formore information;

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specify whether your religious authorities prevent you from taking anexamination on a specific day - please note: the College does not guaranteethat it will be able to avoid such dates.

The examination timetable published in late February is based on the informationprovided in these forms, so you must return your completed form to the Departmentfor countersigning by your Personal Tutor.

Please note that the College cannot guarantee to accommodate you for yourexaminations if you fail to return your completed form by the given deadline.

6.6.Mitigating circumstancesIt sometimes happens that circumstances beyond a students control prevent themfrom taking the examination at the appointed time, or adversely affect theirperformance in an examination. The Colleges procedure for dealing with such casesis as follows.

Mitigating circumstancesare unforeseen, unpreventable circumstances thatsignificantly disrupt your academic performance, such as an illness or bereavement. Ifyou wish mitigating circumstances to be taken into consideration, then you must

complete Birkbecks standard Mitigating Circumstances form, and submit it, withdocumentary evidence as appropriate, to the B.A. administrator normally within sevendays of the final assessment. (The final assessment is usually the examination in themodule. But it is possible to ask to have mitigating circumstances taken into accountin connection with coursework submitted for a module, as well as for anexamination.) The case will then be considered by the Mitigation Sub-committee ofthe relevant Board of Examiners. This is in confidence, and you may request that onlythe Chair of the panel has sight of your form. The full procedure and a downloadablecopy of the form can be found on the MyBirkbeck website. See also the College web-page about mitigating circumstances:

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck/services/administration/certificate-exams/mitigating-circumstances

from where the relevant form can also be downloaded.

6.7.Exam resultsIf your current exams complete your degree, you are a finalist; if you will need toreturn to continue your degree, you are a non-finalist.

Pass lists for finalists will be displayed on the notice board by the Registry after theJuly meeting of the College Board of Examiners. The pass list will list the programmeof study, the candidate number and the degree classification. An official transcriptwill be posted to you by the end of August. The degree certificate will be posted toyou by the University of London Diploma Production and Despatch Office.

A transcript of examination results for non-finalists will be posted to you by mid-August.

6.8.Transcripts, letters of referenceIf you are applying for postgraduate study or for a job, you may need to send yourtranscript(s) in support of your application. Should you require a reference letter, youmay wish to consider asking your personal tutor or teaching tutor to write you areference.

6.9.PlagiarismAny case of deliberate plagiarism, including plagiarism for tutorial essays, is takenextremely seriously by the Department. The College guidance on plagiarism may be

consulted at:http://www.bbk.ac.uk/reg/assessment/current_students/undergraduate/plagiarism

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6.9.1. What constitutes plagiarismPlagiarism is the act of taking somebody elses work and presenting it as your own. Itis an act of academic dishonesty, and Birkbeck takes it very seriously. Examples ofplagiarism include (but are not restricted to):

copying the whole or substantial parts of a paper from a source text (e.g. a website, journal article, book or encyclopaedia), without proper acknowledgement;

paraphrasing anothers piece of work closely, with minor changes but with theessential meaning, form and/or progression of ideas maintained;

piecing together sections of the work of others into a new whole; procuring a paper from a company or essay bank (including Internet sites); submitting another students work, with or without that students knowledge; submitting a paper written by someone else (e.g. a peer or relative) and

passing it off as ones own;

representing a piece of joint or group work as ones own.6.9.2. Assisting another student to plagiarise

If you knowingly assist another student to plagiarise (for example, by willingly givingthem your own work to copy from), you are committing an examination offence.

6.9.3. Academic declaration formWhen submitting coursework for an examination you will need to sign an academicdeclaration form, stating that you have read the sections of plagiarism in thisHandbook and confirming that the work is your own, with the work of others fullyacknowledged. This regulation applies to all extended essays for level 6 modules, andto the Dissertation.

6.9.4. What happens if plagiarism is suspected?Where an examiner (of examinations and other written coursework) suspectsplagiarism, they have a responsibility to report this to the College. Where there isevidence of plagiarism, the relevant procedures in the regulations will be followedand the person concerned will be contacted accordingly.

6.10. The Cyril Joad PrizeEach year the Cyril Joad Prize is awarded to the Finalist going on to postgraduatestudy who did best in the degree exams.

6.11. Graduation

Graduation takes place in November, followed by a reception; we will be delighted tosee you there, and to congratulate you on your fine degree!

7.Getting Advice

7.1.Academic Problems7.1.1. Academic difficulties

It is essential that you get to know your Personal tutor early on, so that if any problemarises, he or she will already know you, and so will be able to give you the right kind

of support. This is why we require you to meet with your Personal Tutor regularly.

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If you do find yourself in any academic difficulties, you should seek advice assoon as possible: your Personal Tutor or your Teaching Tutor would be well placed toadvise you; alternatively consult the Undergraduate Advisor, the BA Tutor, or theChairman of Department. If you are not performing well in the subject, this may be amatter of study skills, or of some other difficulty which can be solved relativelyeasily. Problems can often be sorted out more readily than people think when they arebeset by them; so please make sure to use the support systems the Department and

College have for you.

7.1.2. The Learning Support OfficerThe School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy has a Learning SupportOfficer, Helen Fuller ([email protected]), who runs a series of workshops intendedto help students with academic skills such as essay writing, time management andexam technique. She is also available for one-to-one tutorials. Further details areavailable at www.bbk.ac.uk/sshp/depts-staff/lso-sshp.

7.1.3. What to do if you want to take a year outThe Department is prepared to approve a Break of Studies if the circumstances areappropriate. If you feel you need to take a break from your studies, whether forpersonal or academic reasons, then consult your Personal Tutor. The relevant formsshould be collected from and returned to the Undergraduate Administrator.

7.1.4. What to do if you want to change courseInevitably, some students find that philosophy is not after all the right subject forthem. We do not encourage students who are not really enjoying the subject topersevere with it. Instead, we shall do our best to give you advice about alternativecourses, and we will try to place you elsewhere in higher education if that isappropriate. In all such cases, seeking advice early is vital: please do not think that wewill hold it against you or be offended if it turns out that you dont like philosophy!

If you are thinking about changing to another degree course within Birkbeck,

your first step should be to talk things over with your Personal Tutor. You will needto complete the appropriate forms with your Personal Tutor, sign them and returnthem to the Undergraduate Administrator. Changing courses requires the agreementof the other Department(s) involved.

Any proposed change is looked at carefully, so that you do not take a radicalstep without due advice and care. You must have the written agreement of yourPersonal Tutor, and must then seek the approval of the Undergraduate Advisor forany change: if you are changing within Birkbeck you must also have the approval ofany other Department that would be affected by the change.

7.1.5. What to do if you want to leave the CollegeThe first step is to talk things over with your Personal Tutor. Do take care to get as

much advice as you can: you might consider a temporary withdrawal instead of apermanent one, if that would give you a chance to rethink what you want to do. Weshall endeavour to give you the best possible advice and support, whatever yourdecision. If you decide that leaving is indeed best, then you must formally notify theUndergraduate Advisor that you are leaving the course; the Undergraduate Advisorwill then initiate the formal process of leaving. Fees are charged pro rata for theamount of the course you have attended, so it is important to state your last date ofattendance if you wish fees to be remitted from this date.

7.1.6. What to do if you want to withdraw from ExamsThe first step is to discuss this with your Personal Tutor. You can withdraw fromExams on compassionate and/or health grounds: in the following year you must re-

register to take the examinations.

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7.2.Personal issues7.2.1. Discussing personal issues with the Departments staff

Your Personal Tutor will be pleased to give you all the help, advice and support theycan, in complete professional confidence. All other members of the administrative andacademic staff are also available to talk to in professional confidence, and you are

welcome to make an appointment with any member of staff you wish; in particular,you may make an appointment to see the Undergraduate Advisor, the BA Tutor, orthe Chairman of Department if you feel that they may be able to help you.

7.2.2. HarassmentWe wish to ensure that while you are here you can at all times enjoy a secure andcomfortable learning environment. Therefore if anyone associated with theDepartment or the wider College intimidates you, sexually harasses you, or makesyou uncomfortable in any way by their behaviour towards you, please tell yourPersonal Tutor (or any other member of staff) at the earliest opportunity and we shalltake appropriate steps.

The College has strict rules that define harassment and absolutely forbid it: see

the document Dignity at work and study (eliminating and preventing harassment),online at: www.bbk.ac.uk/hr/policies_services/dignityatwork

7.2.3. Student welfare - The Student UnionBirkbeck Students Union promotes welfare issues, represents students interests onCollege committees and provides social activities via events and societies. All degreestudents are automatically members of the union and are entitled to use the facilitiesand services. Birkbeck Union is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS)and the Mature Students Union.See www.bbk.ac.uk/su/about.

7.2.4. CounsellingThe Counselling Service is funded by the College but is run by the Student Union at

arms length from the College. The Counselling Service is professional, independentand easily accessible. It is also completely confidential: no one in College or in theDepartment of Philosophy need know if you use its services. To book, or for furtherinformation, phone 0207 631 6335 or drop by the Student Union office on the fourthfloor of the Malet Street extension building. Alternatively you can visit the website -www.birkbeckunion.org/welfare/counselling .

Birkbeck students also have access to the counselling service provided by theUniversity of London Central Institutions Health Centre, which offers additionalresources that complement the services the Student Union provides.

7.2.5. Student HealthBirkbeck subscribes to the Gower Street Practice, located just around the corner fromthe Malet Street main building at 20 Gower Street. Students living in central Londoncan register with the doctors for full NHS general practitioner services, but otherstudents can also benefit from the facilities. Consultations are free and completelyconfidential. In addition to normal GP services, the Gower Street Practice offerspsychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy, and is experienced in helpingstudents. For further information, call the Practice on 020 7636 7628, or visithttp://www.gowerstreetpractice.org.uk/

7.2.6. The ChaplaincyThe London University Chaplaincy serves the University community by offeringpastoral counselling, and support and guidance in matters of faith and spiritualdevelopment for all students and staff of the Christian and Jewish traditions, and alsothose with no religious background. The Senior Chaplains will be happy to take your

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initial enquiries and refer you to a specific College Chaplain should that beappropriate. See www.london.ac.uk/chaplaincy.html

7.2.7. IllnessIf you are ill, please let the Department know as soon as possible; please also ifpossible inform your Teaching Tutor beforehand if you are going to miss a tutorial

through illness. If you are going to be away for any significant amount of time due toillness please let us know as soon as possible: inform your Personal Tutor and theOffice.

If you feel that illness may affect or may have affected your performance in aset of examinations, please let us know as soon as possible. In such cases you mustprovide a medical certificate from your doctor, or the equivalent from a counsellor.The examiners may be able to take into account a medical certificate or a counsellorsreport if your exam results are border-line.

7.2.8. Disability Statement for the Department of PhilosophyAt Birkbeck there are students with a wide range of disabilities including dyslexia,visual or hearing impairments, mobility difficulties, mental health needs, medical

conditions, respiratory conditions. Many of them have benefited from the advice andsupport provided by the Colleges Disability Office.

The Disability OfficeThe College has a Disability Office located in room

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