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Free Speech & Hate Speech (PHIL40013)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
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Fees | Look up fees |
In 2021, Scotland introduced the new crime of 'stirring up hatred', and the state government of Victoria, Australia was poised to expand its law against vilification (which covered only race & religion) to additional protected categories of persons. Supporters see these measures as vital in tackling social inequality; opponents see them as infringing unacceptably on freedom of speech. In this course, we'll explore a range of issues in ethics and political philosophy concerning speech, connecting up with related issues in epistemology and the philosophy of language.
Specific topics may include: the moral justification for free speech, and permissible limits to free speech; questions about what counts as hate speech; questions about what counts as (merely) harmful speech; legal questions about the regulation of speech and expression (e.g. in vilification and hate crime laws); pornography's silencing and subordination of women; online speech & its restriction (including on social media platforms and in virtual game worlds); gaslighting; testimonial injustice and hermeneutical injustice; and testimony and deference in intersectional hierarchies.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- Develop a thorough understanding of contemporary issues in the philosophy of language and its social context;
- Gain an appreciation of the implications of these issues for other areas of philosophy, such as ethics, political philosophy, epistemology or logic;
- Be able to critically assess current research in this area.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This subject is for students admitted to fourth year Honours or the Graduate Diploma (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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Short essay
| During the teaching period | 20% |
Long essay
| End of semester | 80% |
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: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Holly Lawford-Smith Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours - 1 x 2 hour seminar each week for 12 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None.
- 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.
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
- 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: 31 January 2024