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The Philosophy of Philosophy (PHIL30007)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines the nature of philosophy itself. Students will read what many great philosophers have said about the methods, aims, and ambitions of philosophy. And they will examine how these views are grounded in, or intertwined with commitments about metaphysics, epistemology, or ethics. The subject provides the opportunity to reflect on different strands in the philosophical tradition, which inspire conflicting projects in contemporary philosophy. It should also encourage students to reflect on the nature and methods of the philosophy they have studied to date. The subject is intended for students nearing completion of a philosophy major, but may also be taken by others.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- possess a broad knowledge and understanding of the different methods, aims and ambitions of philosophy. They will be able to identify, understand and intergrate major disciplinary themes from among ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind over a wide range of historical periods and traditions;
- engage critically with existing philosophical conversations and develop the capacity for critical and creative interventions in those discussions, using conceptual tools and approaches developed throughout the history of philosophy and in its different traditions;
- discern the relevance of philosophical ideas in a wide variety of fields and contexts. This will include recognising and critiquing the epistemological, ontological, and ethical assumptions in scientific, moral, political, and cultural positions and arguments;
- bring philosophical intelligence and expertise to bear in their studies in disciplines beyond philosophy, including the humanities, and the social and empirical sciences, and reflect on the import of other disciplines such as empirical psychology, theoretical physics or literary studies for philosophical thinking;
- demonstrate a high-level of fluency in communication and collaboration skills, including oral and written presentation of arguments and effective work in small and large groups;
- be prepared to engage with the possibility of radical critique of their own presuppositions and commitments.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This is a Capstone subject and only available to students in the Philosophy major within the Bachelor of Arts or the Philosophy specialisation of the Graduate Diploma in Arts. This subject is not available to students in the minor or as breadth.
Bachelor of Arts students are required to completed the Level One requirements for the major before enrolling into this subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Bachelor of Arts students are expected that have completed the Level Two requirements for the major and completing the final year of the degree.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
An essay
| Mid semester | 50% |
A take-home exam
| During the examination period | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Francois Schroeter Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours - 1 x 2 hour seminar each week. Students will also be expected to access a 1.5 hour online lecture each week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online
- Subject notes
This capstone subject is compulsory and only available to students undertaking a major in Philosophy. It is not available in the minor or as breadth. It is expected that students will have completed all required level 1 and level 2 subjects before enrolling in the capstone.
Bachelor of Arts students should endeavour to take the capstone subject in their final semester of study after completion of 25 pts of 3rd year. See the Handbook Bachelor of Arts entry for each Discipline's requirements.
This subject is compulsory in the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Philosophy).
Enrolment in the Bachelor of Arts or Graduate Diploma in Arts (Philosophy) is required.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Philosophy Major Philosophy Major - Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022