N5/Higher Philosophy
DURATION
N5: 1 year/ 160 Hours
Higher: 1year/240 Hours
COURSEWORK
N5: Assignment 20% of award
Higher: none
EXAM
N5: Question Paper 80% of award
Higher: 2 Question papers 100% of award
COST
no cost
What will you learn?
Arguments in Action
Students will be helped to acquire the necessary skills to be able to critically analyse and evaluate arguments in a philosophical manner. Students will learn to recognise the key features of effective and ineffective arguments.
Knowledge and Doubt
This unit will allow students to explore such key philosophical ideas as “Can we know anything for certain?”, “What is real?”, “What is knowledge?” Students will study in depth some of the writings of French rationalist philosopher René Descartes and Scottish empiricist philosopher David Hume. There will also be an opportunity to consider questions raised about the nature of reality in popular films such as The Matrix, Inception, Vanilla Sky or The Truman Show.
Moral Philosophy
The main focus of this unit will be on answering such questions as “How do we decide the way we should act?”, “What does it mean to say that an action is right or wrong?”, “Why is it difficult to reach agreement on moral issues?” Students will have the opportunity to critically evaluate key moral theories including, Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics.
Added Value Unit N5 - Assignment
Students will research an issue from a philosophical area of their own choice. This will lead to a write up of their findings.
Why do this course?
The course develops candidates’ reasoning skills by focusing on complex abstract concepts and philosophical problems. Candidates learn to challenge assumptions and to apply their knowledge and understanding of different positions and theories in philosophy. They develop critical thinking and analytical and evaluative skills, which are important in education and employment.
What will you experience?
A wide variety of approaches will be employed to ensure that pupils attain a wide field of knowledge and also to encourage development of skills of evaluation and analysis which will promote Critical Thinking. Discussion will be a key factor in Philosophy Higher.
Key Facts
Everything you need to know before selecting this course
Assessment
N5 - There is one exam paper and an assignment
Question Paper – 80 marks -2 hours and 20 minutes
Assignment – 20 marks – 1 hour
Higher - There are two papers and this will attract 100% of the final marks and overall grade.
Question Paper 1 - 60 marks 2 hours 15 minutes
Question Paper 2 - 50 marks 1 hour 45 minutes
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Entry is at the discretion of the Principal Teacher Faculty, Humanities. However, as a guide:
A pass a the previous NQ level. i.e. for Higher, a pass at National 5.
A recommendation on completion of RMPS course
Homework
Homework will be set by the class teacher on a regular basis, this will be available on TEAMs.
Progression and Employment
Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course
Learner Experiences
Philosophy makes you think about different things. The discussions are interesting.
Higher philosophy helped with my essay skills in other subjects because you learn how to formulate a valid argument.