Maryvale Institute BA (Hons) Philosophy and the Catholic Tradition (HE Diploma in Philosophy and the Catholic Tradition HE Certificate in Philosophy and the Catholic Tradition) Student Handbook 2016 Published by: Maryvale Institute Maryvale House Old Oscott Hill Kingstanding Birmingham B44 9AG England Copyright: Maryvale Institute January 2016 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, otherwise, without prior permission of Maryvale Institute © Maryvale Institute: Charity No. 1068634. All rights reserved. Do not copy without permission from the Institute. www.maryvale.ac.uk CONTENTS INTRODUCTION BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE MARYVALE INSTITUTE ............................................................................................ 6 PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................... 8 Mission statement .......................................................................................................................... 8 The Vision ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Spiritual Centre ................................................................................................................................. 8 Management of Programmes of Higher Education .......................................................................... 9 Student welfare and support services .............................................................................................. 9 Validating bodies ............................................................................................................................ 11 PART II: PROGRAMME INFORMATION ............................................ 12 Philosophy Course: Factual Page .................................................................................................. 12 Course title and rationale ................................................................................................................ 13 Programme aims ............................................................................................................................ 13 Aims 13 Essential elements of the course: 13 Levels and Progression .................................................................................................................. 14 The Curriculum ............................................................................................................................... 16 Assessment methods ..................................................................................................................... 17 Assignments 18 Examinations 18 Primary Text Reflections 18 Primary Texts Curriculum 18 HE Certificate in Philosophy and the Catholic Tradition 19 Curriculum: HE Diploma in Philosophy and the Catholic Tradition 19 Curriculum: BA (Hons) in Philosophy and the Catholic Tradition 20 Cross-level texts 21 Academic assessment .................................................................................................................... 21 Marking criteria ............................................................................................................................... 22 Assignments 22 Examinations 23 Primary Text Reflections 24 Use of English ................................................................................................................................. 26 References and Transcripts ........................................................................................................... 27 © Maryvale Institute: Charity No. 1068634. All rights reserved. Do not copy without permission from the Institute. www.maryvale.ac.uk Philosophy staff contact information ............................................................................................... 27 Maryvale staff and Institute contact information ............................................................................. 27 Course calendar ............................................................................................................................. 28 Annual Cycle for students ............................................................................................................... 29 PART III: STUDY GUIDANCE ............................................................. 30 Academic support ........................................................................................................................... 30 Student Support .............................................................................................................................. 30 a) Maryvale's spiritual dimension 30 b) Residential weekends and reading week 31 c) The Course Director 32 d) Academic Tutor 32 e) Student “Clusters” 32 f) The Coursebook 32 How your coursebook works 32 General study skills ........................................................................................................................ 33 In-depth reading and study 33 Taking notes for your assignments 36 Writing your assignment 39 Submitting assignments ................................................................................................................. 45 Assignment topsheets 45 Sample of assignment topsheet : 47 Submission of the primary text reflection ....................................................................................... 49 Guidance for writing a primary text reflection (after a group reading) 49 Guidance for writing a primary text reflection (without a group reading) 49 PART IV: LIBRARY RESOURCES AND INTERNET .......................... 50 Books .............................................................................................................................................. 50 Serials ............................................................................................................................................. 51 Online Philosophy Journals ............................................................................................................ 52 Audio-Visual/ Electronic Resources ............................................................................................... 52 Finding information in the Library ................................................................................................... 53 Photocopying .................................................................................................................................. 53 Other Resources............................................................................................................................. 53 Maryvale Website Learning Resources .......................................................................................... 57 Webpages dedicated to Individual philosophers (Free Access) 59 Timeline of Philosophy (Free Access) 60 Glossary of Foreign terms used in philosophy 60 Youtube (Free Access) 60 © Maryvale Institute: Charity No. 1068634. All rights reserved. Do not copy without permission from the Institute. www.maryvale.ac.uk Plagiarism and Copyright ............................................................................................................... 61 PART V: PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION ......................................... 67 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 67 External contexts 68 Distinctive features of the programme structure ............................................................................. 69 Years 1 & 2 70 Years 3 & 4 70 Year 5 70 Levels and Progression 70 Programme regulations .................................................................................................................. 71 Admission 71 Progression 72 Awards 73 Completion of the Study programme 73 Assessment and Progression 73 Compensation/resitting/repeating 73 Residentials 74 © Maryvale Institute: Charity No. 1068634. All rights reserved. Do not copy without permission from the Institute. www.maryvale.ac.uk Introduction by the Director of the Maryvale Institute Dear Student, Welcome to the Maryvale Institute, and welcome to this BA Hons degree in Philosophy and the Catholic Tradition. This course is distinctive in both its content and the way in which it is taught, as Maryvale’s collaborative learning method makes degree-level study accessible to people who may otherwise find it difficult because of work, family or other commitments. The study of philosophy is demanding, but I am sure that you will also find it stimulating and fascinating. As you progress through this course you will discover and understand the thought patterns by which people through the ages have sought to understand and give meaning to human existence in all its aspects, and which continue to influence our contemporary society. The Catholic Church has a rich philosophical tradition which has much to contribute to that endeavour, and where necessary challenge the prevailing values of society. This course will help you to understand these issues better, and equip you to engage more confidently in many of the crucial debates of our age. This handbook provides the practical guidance you need to make the most of your studies, and Canon David Evans and his team will give you their full support and encouragement. I hope that you enjoy the course. Fr Edward Clare Acting-Director, Maryvale Institute Maryvale Institute Maryvale