Unit Outline

European Philosophy encompasses various philosophical movements, primary among which are German idealism, phenomenology, existentialism, hermeneutics, post-structuralism and more recently critical phenomenology and enactivism. They all focus on questions concerning lived experience, consciousness, intersubjectivity, the relationship between selves and worlds. These traditions have significantly shaped our understanding of the human condition, and they have been taken up by disciplines as diverse as art, literature, architecture, film, theology, politics, psychiatry, psychology, sociology, ethology, and the environmental sciences (among others). This unit offers a broad overview of key figures and key debates in the evolution of European philosophy, particularly phenomenology, demonstrating the ongoing relevance of these philosophical movements to our engagement with the world. Central topics may include: the nature of existence; intentionality; the ‘ontological turn’; the problem of the Other (how do I know that others exist and exist as I do?); the role of the body and perception in philosophy; subjectivity and intersubjectivity; why we care – addressing the challenge of the amoralist; aesthetics; other bodies, other minds – understanding diverse subjectivities; phenomenology and technology; ontology as political and the political as ontologically informed; how anomalous experience may reveal 'disordered' senses of self and world.

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	Critically analyse the historical origins and the content of debates in the traditions of European Philosophy.
2	Critique philosophical accounts of key figures in the European tradition to arrive at well-reasoned, ethically informed positions.
3	Apply Phenomenology to contemporary issues in cognitive science, ethics, philosophy of mind, aesthetics and the socio-political domain.
4	Apply disciplinary skills of textual analysis, evaluation, reflection, and clear communication (oral and written) to build a coherent line of discussion according to the requirements of the task. Uphold academic integrity through appropriate citation and inclusion of a suitably formatted reference list according to the required style guidelines.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HPH309

Alterations as a result of student feedback

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:	Position Paper	Week 13	45 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Article Summary	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Presentation	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Tutorial participation	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Position Paper

Task Description:

This is a summative assessment. The student will identify a philosophically significant question in relation to the texts studied. The student will refine this question in discussion with the Unit Coordinator and will write a sustained analysis 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 13

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate a deeply reflective understanding of the concepts and issues that are relevant to the essay topic.	LO1, LO2
2	Develop and argue effectively for a clear position relevant to the question.	LO2, LO3
3	Engage with objections to the position put forward.	LO3, LO4
4	Write in clear prose aimed at a philosophical audience; structure and reference work appropriately.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Article Summary

Task Description:

The student will identify a text included in the required readings for the Unit or in negotiation with the Unit Coordinator and will summarize this for a non-specialist audience. They will post this on the discussion forum for that week and manage any discussion from other students. Full details of this assessment task can be found on the unit MyLO website under Assessment Resources.

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Accurately summarizes the relevant text.	LO1
2	Write in clear prose aimed at a non-philosophical audience.	LO4
3	Structure and reference work appropriately.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Presentation

Task Description:

The student will analyse an aspect of one of the required texts and present a reflectively sustainable position in person (or in a prerecorded video – with the UC’s approval). They will engage in critical discussion of their presentation with other students and staff. 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 relevant text or debate.	LO1, LO2
2	Present a reflectively sustainable position in relation to the text or debate, using visual aids such as PowerPoint or video clips to support the presentation.	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Constructively engage with the comments and criticisms of other students.	LO3, LO4
4	Write in clear prose aimed at a non-philosophical audience; structure and reference work appropriately.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Tutorial participation

Task Description:

Throughout the semester the student will engage respectfully and constructively with other students and staff in discussions of philosophical texts and debates. 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 relevant text or debate for each week.	LO1, LO2
2	Present your own thoughts in discussions of the texts and debates with the other students and staff.	LO2, LO3
3	Constructively engage with the comments and criticisms of other students.	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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.