Unit Outline

Through an examination of historical and contemporary philosophical texts, from Western and Eastern traditions, this unit explores the nature of persons and the nature of the world as we experience it. These themes will be pursued by asking questions such as: • Is a mind more than just a brain? • Do we have free will? • Is there an enduring self? • Could the world be an illusion? • Does science give us knowledge? • What is time? Is time travel possible? • What reason have we for thinking there is or is not a God?. This unit provides an introduction to the world's oldest academic discipline and will help students to develop the rigorous thinking that is the hallmark of philosophy – a skill that is transferable to almost any walk of life. This unit complements HPH104 Introductory Philosophy: Moral and Political Philosophy, but can be taken independently of that unit.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Gain specialist and general understanding of key problems in metaphysics and epistemology.
2	Engage with personal, cultural  and social issues in relation to philosophy from a range of philosophical traditions.
3	Apply disciplinary skills of argument analysis, textual analysis and clear communication to a philosophical audience in appropriate academic style.
4	Demonstrate a constructively critical attitude to belief formation, including giving and assessing reasons, seeking new evidence and forming beliefs on the best evidence available.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HPH102

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT TASK 1:	Online quizzes	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO3
ASSESSMENT TASK 2:	Take-home exam	Refer to Assessment Description	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 3:	Tutorial participation	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 4:	Essay (1500 words)	Refer to Assessment Description	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online quizzes

TASK DESCRIPTION:

For a full description of this task, including the due dates and times, see information in the Assessment Folder in MyLO (accessed via the Content Tab in the Navigation Bar).

TASK LENGTH:

Online quizzes

DUE DATE:

Refer to Assessment Description

WEIGHT:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Understand the arguments and ideas presented in unit readings.	LO1
2	Evaluate the cogency of philosophical arguments.	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Take-home exam

TASK DESCRIPTION:

For a full description of this task, including the due date and time, see information in the Assessment Folder in MyLO (accessed via the Content Tab in the Navigation Bar).

TASK LENGTH:

DUE DATE:

Refer to Assessment Description

WEIGHT:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Understand the positions and arguments relevant to each question.	LO1
2	Critically assess arguments and analyse their implications.	LO2, LO3
3	Develop a considered opinion.	LO3, LO4
4	Meeting the communicative goals: responding to the exact task, writing clearly, structuring your work and acknowledging the work of others.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Tutorial participation

TASK DESCRIPTION:

For a full description of this task see information in the Assessment Folder in MyLO (accessed via the Content Tab in the Navigation Bar).

TASK LENGTH:

Tutorial participation

DUE DATE:

Refer to Assessment Description

WEIGHT:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Critically analyse the set readings.	LO1, LO3
2	Present your own thoughts in relation to the philosophical ideas considered in the readings.	LO2, LO3
3	Constructively engage with the philosophical thoughts of other students.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Essay (1500 words)

TASK DESCRIPTION:

For a full description of this task, including the due date and time, see information in the Assessment Folder in MyLO (accessed via the Content Tab in the Navigation Bar).

TASK LENGTH:

1500 words

DUE DATE:

Refer to Assessment Description

WEIGHT:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Understand the positions and arguments relevant to the chosen question.	LO1
2	Critically assess arguments and analyse their implications.	LO2, LO3
3	Develop a considered opinion, dealing with likely objections.	LO3, LO4
4	Meeting the communicative goals: responding to the exact task, writing clearly, structuring your work and referencing properly.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late Penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.