1. Philosophy Coursework What’s it worth? Higher Level:20% Standard Level:30%

2. What’s its aim? To allow you to do Philosophy ‘under ordinary conditions, without time constraints associated with written examinations’. To develop your philosophical skills ‘by applying knowledge and understanding of philosophical ideas and concepts through analysis of non-philosophical material’. Philosophy Coursework

3. What does it show I can do? Apply your philosophical knowledge and understanding to real-life examples Treat non-philosophical material in a philosophical way Be challenged in your philosophical reflection Philosophy Coursework

4. How much do I write? Between 1600 and 2000 words (This does not include bibliography or references. Nor does it include the 200- word (maximum) description of lengthier non-philosophical stimulus material.) Philosophy Coursework

5. What’s the gist of it? Take a non-philosophical stimulus Analyse it in a philosophical way (Note that this analysis must relate to a philosophical issue or argument raised by the study of the course.) Philosophy Coursework

6. What’s an example of a ‘non-philosophical stimulus’? Novels, plays, poetry, song lyrics Films/movies, television and radio shows Cartoons, paintings, photographs or other visual images Newspaper articles/letters Internet sites Advertisements Pamphlets Propaganda Philosophy Coursework

7. Are there any restrictions (apart from not using philosophical material)? Just three: If you choose a novel or play, no more than 2 pages should be selected If you choose a tv or radio show, film/movie or play, no more than 2 scenes should be used If it is a written stimulus you should select a short piece. If this is 200 words or less, include all of it; if more than 200 words summarise it in not more than 200 words Philosophy Coursework

8. How much time should I spend on it? The recommendation is for 20 hours to be allocated to this assessment component. (Note that you may be able to complete more than one in this time – your best one is submitted.) Philosophy Coursework

9. What are the ‘formal requirements’? a) You must adhere to the word limits b) You must include the following information: Title Part of syllabus to which the exercise relates Number of words Bibliography and references Copy of the source material Philosophy Coursework

10. Photograph This shows a mirage which raises the issue of how we can know the difference between appearance and reality.

11. Philosophy Coursework Visual Image This ‘contemplating angel’ raises the issue of the possible immortality of a human being.

12. Philosophy Coursework Painting An evocation of the existential interpretation of the human condition: angst.

13. Philosophy Coursework Advertisement How much of our ‘social conditioning’ is cultural; how much of it part of our nature?

14. Philosophy Coursework Cartoon How do our mind and body interact?

15. Philosophy Coursework Despite his heterodoxy, faults and weaknesses, Clare was a man with a conscience. Tess was no insignificant creature to toy with and dismiss; but a woman living her precious life – a life which, to herself who endured or enjoyed it, possessed as great a dimension as the life of the mightiest to himself. Upon her sensations the whole world depended to Tess; through her existence all her fellow- creatures existed, to her. The universe itself only came into being for Tess on the particular day in the particular year in which she was born. From Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (first published 1891) Novel This piece raises the question of the ‘inner world’ of consciousness.

16. Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more; it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. Act 5, scene 5 Play Macbeth gives an interpretation of the meaning of life. Philosophy Coursework

17. And since to look at things in bloom Fifty springs is little room, About the woodlands I will go To see the cherry hung with snow From Loveliest of Trees, The Cherry Now by A E Housman Poem An illustration of the relationship between humans and the natural world.

18. Philosophy Coursework Cartoon The dream-world and its place as part of the human mind; part of human nature.

19. Philosophy Coursework Internet site (Horse evolution) The ‘clash’ between knowledge as claimed by science and knowledge as claimed by religious belief.

20. Philosophy Coursework Dear Deidre, I have been going out with a boy for ten weeks and he says that he wants to move our relationship onto a more physical [etc.] Letter A moral dilemma arising from a common inter- personal relationship.

21. Philosophy Coursework Don’t Save The Tiger! There are only about 400 tigers left in India and their conservation is a waste. The amount of money that is spent on preserving these animals amounts to $20 000 per tiger per year and [etc.] From The Times 8 th January 2010 Newspaper article The tension between different values placed on our treatment of animals.

22. Philosophy Coursework Hancock’s Half-Hour (The Blood Donor) Hancock: I want to be sure it goes to the right sort of person. I wouldn’t like to think of any old hobbledehoy having my blood coursing through his veins. Nurse: When a blood transfusion is given, a person’s background is of no consequence. Hancock: You can’t expect me to believe that; after all, East is East and West is- Nurse: Mr Hancock, blood is classified according to group and not by accident of birth. Hancock: I came here to give blood – not to listen to a lecture on communism, young lady! Nurse: I happen to be a Conservative! Hancock: Then kindly behave like one, madam. TV/Radio Show Differences among human types: how ‘natural’ is our ‘nature’?

23. Philosophy Coursework Propaganda The manipulation of the truth for the greater good of society. (In this picture the people shown were not really queueing at the unemployment office.)