Doing Philosophy: A Practical Guide for Students

Doing Philosophy provides a practical guide to studying philosophy for students. The book offers guidance on: Reading and analyzing philosophical texts Preparing for and participating in seminars Choosing essay topics Constructing arguments and avoiding plagiarism Using libraries, the internet and other resources Technical terms, forms of expression and logical notation Doing Philosophy outlines the difficulties and challenges faced by students and the exciting scope of the subject as a consequence. The book uses examples of philosophical texts from a wide range of authors to explore strategies that enable the student to develop critical reading skills. The book also offers advice on taking notes, analyzing arguments, using resources effectively, and writing philosophical essays. Concise and accessible, this book equips the student with the tools needed to succeed at undergraduate level, presenting a variety of practical strategies for tackling tasks that a first-year student will inevitably encounter.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction to the Study of Philosophy; 2. Reading Philosophy; 3. Taking Notes; 4. Discussion; 5. Writing Philosophy; 6. Resources.

About the Author :
George MacDonald Ross is director of the Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies and Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Leeds, UK. In 2006 he was voted one of England's top 50 university teachers by the Higher Education Academy and became a National Teaching Fellow. Clare Saunders is Subject Co-ordinator for Philosophy at the Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies. She has a PhD in Philosophy and has taught a wide range of philosophy courses at the University of Sunderland and the University of Durham, UK. David Mossley is Information Manager and Subject Co-ordinator at the Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies. He has a PhD in Philosophy and has taught a wide range of philosophy courses at the University of Durham and Birkbeck College, University of London, UK. Danielle Lamb is Resource Development Officer at the Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies. She has an MA in Philosophy from the University of Leeds, UK, and has tutored undergraduates on a range of philosophy modules.

Review :
."..well worth a read for those either preparing to or currently studying philosophy for the first time. Indeed, it will help many students to understand that, as the authors recognise, 'the focus of your philosophical study will be to learn not what to believe, but how to think.'" Emma L Williams, Philosopher in Residence, Rugby School, UK 'This is an excellent book, and I'll definitely be advising my first-year Philosophy students to buy it. Doing Philosophy basically tells the student beginning philosophy at university everything they need to know. The topics include finding resources, reading philosophy, plagiarism, referencing, taking notes, seminar discussions, and more. In particular, I think the chapter on writing philosophy - and especially the examples of essay questions, together with advice on how to tackle them - will be hugely useful. It's easy to forget just how different writing a philosophy essay is to anything else most beginning philosophy students have done; even (perhaps especially) those who have studied philosophy at A-level. The authors guide the student through each question, showing them how to find and filter relevant information, how to make sure they stick to the question, and how to maintain a properly philosophical approach to the topic. I'm sure beginning students - and their teachers - will be very grateful. Professor Helen Beebee, University of Birmingham, UK. 'Anyone coming to the study of philosophy at university for the first time will find help here, and some more advanced students might gain from reading it, too...by offering a clear account of some of the barriers to successful engagement with philosophical texts and questions, and helping to overcome them, [the authors] have done a real service.' Dr Dave Leal, Brasenose College, University of Oxford, UK