Early Modern Philosophy (PHIL40017)
HonoursPoints: 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.
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 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject focuses on a careful study of one or more major works in the history of 17th and 18th century Continental European or British philosophy, such as Spinoza’s Ethics, Locke’s Essay concerning Human Understanding, Leibniz’s New Essays on Human Understanding, Hume’s Treatise of Human Nature, Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason.
Many of these texts aim to develop a systematic philosophical theory of the mind, the world, human understanding and/or the limitations of human understanding, human actions and passions. Through a close study of these texts we will be studying influential 17th and/or 18th century approaches to philosophy of mind, metaphysics, epistemology, moral psychology and/or ethics.
Our approach will be both philosophical and interpretive: our chief aim will be to understand the philosophical motivations the thinker(s) had, and to assess them. We will draw attention to responses by other 17th and 18th century philosophers and use comparisons to present-day philosophy wherever helpful.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- reflect critically upon early modern philosophy and influential 17th and/or 18th century approaches to philosophy of mind, metaphysics, epistemology, moral psychology and/or ethics;
- identify and analyze philosophical arguments in historical texts;
- interpret philosophical texts that were written in the 17th and/or 18th century, show awareness of different possible interpretations and learn to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different interpretations;
- write well-structured and well-argued research essays that explain and critically assess the relevant philosophical views and critically position their own interpretation in relation to other interpretations in the literature;
- articulate own responses to philosophical views, support them by reasons, and defend them in light of criticism.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This subject is for students admitted to fourth year Honours or the Graduate Diploma (Advanced) or the Graduate Certificate (Advanced) in the discipline of Philosophy.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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 |
|---|---|---|
A short essay
| Mid semester | 10% |
A final research essay
| End of semester | 90% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes 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 2% 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 1
Principal coordinator Klaus Jahn Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is for students admitted to fourth year Honours or the Graduate Diploma (Advanced) in the discipline of Philosophy.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Philosophy Specialisation (formal) Philosophy Specialisation (formal) Philosophy Specialisation (formal) Philosophy Specialisation (formal) Philosophy Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Philosophy - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022