Unit Outline

Philosophers regularly collaborate with neuroscientists and psychologists, mathematicians and physicists, ecologists and biologists, artists and filmmakers, as well as medical practitioners and researchers. These collaborations are often fruitful and offer new, unexpected insights. Most disciplines involve philosophical questions or benefit from philosophical skills of analysis and critical thinking. In this unit you will study some of these engagements between philosophy and other disciplines, practices or aspects of life. You will learn why and how philosophy can address questions and solve problems outside the normal boundaries of the discipline.

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	Demonstrate understanding of contemporary debates and positions within particular fields of philosophy across different philosophical traditions appropriate for continuing honours and postgraduate study of philosophy.
2	Apply understanding of contemporary social, political, cultural, environmental, scientific or aesthetic issues in relation to philosophy, synthesising perspectives to arrive at reflectively formed judgements.
3	Use disciplinary skills of argument analysis and construction and clear communication with flexibility and creativity to identify and solve problems with intellectual independence.
4	Demonstrate the development of an ethical comportment to the world in engaging with issues in relation to philosophy.

Requisites


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

Alterations as a result of student feedback

The content for this unit varies quite a lot, depending on what is going on in the world and who is teaching it.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Assessment Task 1: Report	See the MyLO site for the due date	15 %	LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Assessment Task 2: Presentation	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Assessment Task 3: Position Paper	Week 12	45 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Assessment Task 4: Tutorial Participation/Other Participation	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Assessment Task 1: Report

Task Description:

In one week of the semester students will write a summary of a text agree with the unit coordinator. Full details of this assessment task can be found on the unit MyLO website under Assessment Resources.

Task Length:

850 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Accurately summarise the relevant text.	LO3
2	Write in clear prose aimed at a general audience.	LO3
3	Structure and reference work properly.	LO3
4	Identify one component of the text to critically respond to	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Assessment Task 2: Presentation

Task Description:

In the week after submitting their Report (AT1), students will present a revised version of it either in class or on the discussion board, and will respond to questions and comments from other students and staff. Full details of this assessment task can be found on the unit MyLO website under Assessment Resources.

Task Length:

850 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Accurately summarise the relevant text	LO1, LO3
2	Present a critical yet reflectively sustainable analysis in relation to the philosophical ideas considered in the texts.	LO2, LO3
3	Constructively engage with the philosophical thoughts of other students.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Assessment Task 3: Position Paper

Task Description:

This is an essay. Student will identify a philosophically significant question in relation to the issues studied, will refine it in discussion with staff, and will write for a chosen audience in response to the question. Full details of this assessment task can be found on the unit MyLO website under Assessment Resources.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically analyse the texts relevant to the identified question.	LO1, LO3
2	Develop a reflectively sustainable position in response to the texts relevant to the question.	LO2, LO3
3	Engage with likely objections to the position put forward.	LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Write in clear philosophical prose.	LO3
5	Structure and reference work properly.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Assessment Task 4: Tutorial Participation/Other Participation

Task Description:

This is a summative assessment task for individual students. Through the semester the student will engage constructively with other students and staff in discussions of texts. Full details of this assessment task can be found on the unit MyLO website under Assessment Resources.

Task Length:

Varies

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


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

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.