Module overview
We are all familiar with fictions from Romeo and Juliet to Jaws, from The Hobbit to Harry Potter. Despite this familiarity, the nature of fiction and of our engagement with it appears puzzling. On the one hand, fictional characters do not exist. On the other hand, we can think and talk about them. Indeed, it seems we can make true claims about them, e.g. that Romeo is the son of Montague. But how can that be true, if it is also true that there is no such person as Romeo? It is as puzzling that we appear to feel for fictional characters. We might weep for Juliet when she finds Romeo dead, even though we know that no one has really died. The aim of this module is to explore what fiction is, what our relationship with fiction involves, and whether we engage with fictions outside of the realm of art and literature, for example, when talking about morality or possibility.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- articulate and defend your own views relating to fiction and the philosophical issues it raises.
- outline and evaluative critically the arguments for and against those accounts.
- explore the bearing of the issues this module concerns on issues in other areas of study.
- explain clearly and in detail accounts of fiction and of our engagement with it.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- analyse theories and identify their implications.
- interpret and extract information from a variety of sources.
- work effectively to deadlines.
- participate in debate in an even-handed fashion.
- articulate your views and those of others clearly and carefully.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- prominent views of fictional discourse and its meaning.
- certain theories concerning the metaphysics of fictions and fictional objects.
- the bearing of these issues on other areas of philosophy, for example, moral philosophy or the philosophy of mathematics, and on other areas of study, for example, literature.
- influential ‘fictionalist’ views, according to which, e.g., moral, religious, or modal discourse involve fictions of some sort.
- the arguments for and against these views and theories.
Syllabus
The syllabus may vary from year to year. Topics may include:
- Fictional characters
- Fictional discourse
- Truth in fiction
- Serial fictions
- The metaphysics of fiction
- Varieties of fictionalism
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- Lectures
- In-class discussion
- One-on-one consultation with module co-ordinator
Learning activities include
- Attending classes
- Contribution to class discussion
- Doing independent research for and writing assessed work
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Independent Study | 117 |
Teaching | 33 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Mark Sainsbury (2009). Fiction and Fictionalism. London: Routledge.
Assessment
Formative
Formative assessment description
Draft essaySummative
Summative assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 50% |
Essay | 50% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Resubmit assessments | 100% |
Repeat
Repeat assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 50% |
Essay | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External