Theory of Knowledge



Overview

What is knowledge? Where does it come from? And how can we be sure we really know anything at all? 

  

This course explores epistemology, the branch of philosophy that asks how we come to know what we know. You’ll examine key questions such as: What counts as knowledge? Why does it matter? Can we trust our senses, memory, or reason? And is it possible to know anything with certainty? 

Along the way, you’ll develop the tools to think clearly and critically, learning not just about philosophical ideas, but how to form your own responses to them. Whether you're new to philosophy or looking to deepen your understanding, this course will help you engage with one of the most important and thought-provoking areas in the discipline. 

Explore how we know what we know in this introduction to epistemology, the theory of knowledge. Examine core questions about truth, belief and certainty, and develop your own philosophical thinking along the way. 

This course has no live sessions. You will study structured materials at your own pace each week. Find out more about how our short online courses are taught.

Programme details

The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:

1. The Value of Knowledge

2. What is Knowledge?

3. Agrippa's Trilemma

4. Rationality and Justification

5. Epistemic Virtue

6. The Sources of Knowledge I: Perception

7. The Sources of Knowledge II: Testimony and Memory

8. The Sources of Knowledge III: Deduction and Induction

9. Radical Scepticism

10. Truth and Objectivity

We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral, and very rewarding, part of the course and the online learning experience.

Textbooks

To participate in the course you will need to have regular access to the Internet and you will need to buy the following paperback books:

Pritchard, D. H., What is This Thing Called Knowledge? Fourth edition  (Routledge, London, 2018) ISBN 9781138225800 (the 3rd edition may also be used)

Huemer, M., (ed.),  Epistemology - Contemporary Readings, (London and New York, Routledge, 2002)

Please ensure you are able to access copies of any required textbooks prior to enrolling on a course but please keep in mind that courses with insufficient students enrolled will be cancelled. The Department accepts no responsibility for books bought in anticipation of a course running.

Certification

Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points 

Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework. All those enrolled on an online courses are registered for credit and will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

See more information on CATS points

Digital credentials

All students who pass their final assignment will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. 

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £415.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Ilhaam Isaacs

Course aims

  • To introduce students to the main themes in the theory of knowledge, such as the problem of scepticism, the various debates regarding how best to understand what knowledge is, and the key issues regarding the sources of knowledge.
  •  To help participants to think clearly and critically.

Course objectives

  • Introduce students to philosophy, and to the critical skills that are involved in doing philosophy.
  • Guide students through the central topics in the theory of knowledge.
  • Enable students to gain a thorough grounding in the key debates in this central area of philosophy.

Teaching methods

  • Guided reading of texts.
  • Group discussions of particular issues.
  • Questions to be answered in personal folders.
  • Debating from positions given rather than from personal belief (to hone skills of debate).

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will be expected to have gained the ability to:

  • Think philosophically.
  • Describe the main issues in the theory of knowledge covered by the course.
  • Describe the main distinctions and ideas that these issues trade upon.
  • Constructively criticise the various philosophical positions that you have explored.
  • Develop a position of your own on the key topics covered.

Assessment methods

You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

Application

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses.

Level and demands

FHEQ level 4, 10 weeks, approx 10 hours per week, therefore a total of about 100 study hours.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information visit our English language requirements webpage.  

IT requirements

This course is delivered online; to participate you must to be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support