Philosophy: The Great Thinkers

Subject PHIL10003 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 1-hour lectures each week and 1x 1-hour tutorial for 11 weeks
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Christopher Cordner

Contact

ccordner@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

"This subject introduces some of the central themes of pre 20th-century Western philosophy. Topics to be covered include some or all of the following: Plato on moral ideas and knowledge; Machiavelli and Hobbes on the nature of the State, the rights of individuals, and maintaining political power; Descartes on knowledge, the self, God, freedom, and the relation between mind and body; critical responses to Descartes’s theory of the mind by Princess Elisabeth, Locke and Leibniz."

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • appreciate aspects of what it means to be a human being through the study of central works in the philosophical traditions;
  • identify and define key philosophical concepts;
  • read historical texts with particular focus on the philosophical arguments that are presented in these texts;
  • interpret texts that were written in the history of philosophy;
  • write well-structured and well-argued short essays that accurately explain and critically assess philosophical views;
  • articulate their own responses to philosophical views, support them by reasons and defend them in light of criticism.
Assessment:
  • A 800 word essays, due during the semester (20%)
  • A 1,200 word essay, due during the semester (30%)
  • A 2,000 take-home examination, due during the end of semester 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.

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.

Prescribed Texts:

Subject readings will be available on line

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: http://shaps.unimelb.edu.au/philosophy
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Graduate Certificate in Arts - Philosophy
Graduate Diploma in Arts - Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy Major

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