PHIL1020

Philosophy 1A

Faculty of Education and Arts School of Humanities and Social Science

10 Units 1000 Level Course

Available in 2013

Callaghan Campus	Semester 1

Previously offered in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Introduces students to areas, themes or problems in philosophy in a manner designed to provide them with a basic grasp of the nature and scope of the discipline.

Objectives

(1) Impart to students familiarity with, and knowledge of, the main issues addressed and approaches taken by philosophers.
(2) Impart to students, critical skills to deal with these issues and employ these approaches in their assessment of their own culture and societal life, and in thinking about their own personal lives.
(3) Develop high level written and oral skills in analysing and presenting philosophical issues.
(4) Develop a capacity to appreciate the philosophical positions involved in how people approach ways of living and evaluating life situations.

Content

Specific content will vary from year to year, and typically covers two major philosophical areas, themes or problems. The course may focus on one particular philosophy, for instance Plato, or it may survey several under a selected theme, such as freedom and responsibility, or under a selected problem, such as the nature of mind. These will be chosen so as to complement those for PHIL1030 so that the two courses together provide a balanced coverage of the core areas of the discipline: metaphysics, epistemology, rationality, ethics/value.

Replacing Course(s)

Transition

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

There is no assumed knowledge.

Modes of Delivery

Internal Mode

Teaching Methods

Lecture
Tutorial

Assessment Items

Essays / Written Assignments	Essay 1,000 words, 30%. The essay will require the student to explain the central concepts of the philosophies studied. Some library research will be required, but it is expected that assigned readings will form the bulk of the material to be read.
Essays / Written Assignments	Tutorial presentation and assignment, 500 words, 10%, assignment due one week after presentation. The tutorial assignment designed to give students initial written feedback on their capacity for formal analysis and argument.
Examination: Formal	2 hour written examination, 50%, end of semester.
Group/tutorial participation and contribution	Tutorial participation, 10% ongoing. Tutorials will assess how well students are coming to grips with the basic issues and concepts of the course. Tutorial participation provides continual assessment and feedback on individual student ability to properly engage the subject matter.

Contact Hours

Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial: for 2 hour(s) per Fortnight for Full Term

Timetables