Unit Outline

This unit surveys the main Western philosophical traditions from the Renaissance up to the 19th century. At the centre stand the metaphysical and epistemological systems of the Rationalists (Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz) and the Empiricists (Hobbes, Locke, Berkeley, and Hume), as well as the Criticism of Kant and some of his successors such as, for example, Fichte, or Schelling, and Hegel. Students are also introduced to in-depth, analytical readings and discussions of complete and/or select parts of seminal works of the period. This is done with a constant eye to contemporary discussions in epistemology and metaphysics. While the unit builds on and deepens the knowledge base from the introductory first year Philosophy units and constitutes a pathway into the third year units in philosophy, it is also an ideal unit for the generally interested student intent on rounding out and increasing overall competence and skills necessary for the effective participation in contemporary scientific, cultural, social, and political debates.

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:


3	Apply disciplinary skills of text exegesis, analysis and clear communication to interpret and critically assess texts.
4	Demonstrate a constructively critical attitude to belief formation and an appreciation of the synoptic goal of understanding and judgement.
1	Gain specialist understanding of the historical context and content of debates and positions within early modern philosophy.
2	Engage with social, cultural or political impact and implication of philosophical debates and positions within early modern philosophy.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

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:	Take-home exam	Not Yet Determined	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 2:	Short tutorial presentation	Not Yet Determined	10 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 3:	Tutorial participation	Not Yet Determined	10 %	LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 4:	Essay	Not Yet Determined	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Take-home exam

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Take Home Exam

TASK LENGTH:

DUE DATE:

Not Yet Determined

WEIGHT:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Critically analyse the set readings and if necessary other texts.	LO1, LO3
2	Develop a reasoned response to the philosophical ideas considered in the readings and other texts.	LO2, LO4
3	Engage with likely objections to your position.	LO4
4	Meet the communicative goals of academic work in philosophy: responding to the exact task, writing clearly, structuring your work and acknowledging the work of others.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Short tutorial presentation

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Short tutorial presentation

TASK LENGTH:

DUE DATE:

Not Yet Determined

WEIGHT:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Critically analyse the set readings.	LO3
2	Present your own thoughts in relation to the philosophical ideas considered in the readings.	LO2, LO3
3	Set out a line of thought clearly and defend it in discussion.	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Tutorial participation

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Tutorial discussion and participation

TASK LENGTH:

DUE DATE:

Not Yet Determined

WEIGHT:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


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

Assessment Task 4: Essay

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Essay

TASK LENGTH:

3000 words

DUE DATE:

Not Yet Determined

WEIGHT:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Critically analyse the set readings and if necessary other texts.	LO1, LO3
2	Develop a reasoned response to the philosophical ideas considered in the readings and other texts.	LO2, LO4
3	Engage with likely objections to your position.	LO4
4	Meet the communicative goals of academic work in philosophy: responding to the exact task, writing clearly, structuring your work and referencing properly.	LO3

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.