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PHIL150 Introduction to Philosophy B: Introduction to Metaphysics

Updated: 26 March 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Armidale Semester 2 On Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
09 September 2010 11 September 2010 Non-Mandatory Subject to minimum of 10 students attending.
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Restrictions PHIL100
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Peter Forrest (pforrest@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit examines humanity's attempt to discover the nature of reality and of our knowledge of it beginning with the Ancient Greeks. The questions raised by the Greeks and later philosophers include: Can we trust our senses? Can we distinguish between illusion and reality? What kinds of things exist? Are change and time real? Are our wills free as they seem to be?
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Selected Philosophical Writings
ISBN: 9780521358125
Descartes, R., Cambridge University Press 1998
Text refers to: Semester 2 , On and Off Campus
Recommended Material
Optional 		Text(s):

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy
ISBN: 9780199541430
Blackburn, S., Oxford University Press 2nd revised ed. 2008
Text refers to: Semester 2 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Bulletin Board 20%
Assessment Notes
Online participation exercise.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-3 GA: 1, 2, 4-7
Online Quiz 20%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-3 GA: 1, 2, 4-7
Final Examination 2 hrs 60%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-3 GA: 1, 2, 4-7

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. be familiar with the basics of philosophical thought about the nature of reality and of our knowledge of it;
  2. develop the ability to recognise and evaluate basic arguments in the areas of epistemology and metaphysics;
  3. develop an appreciation of important links between epistemology and metaphysics, on the one hand, and science, on the other hand.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the philosophy discipline will be taught through lectures and tutorials. It will be assessed by an examination, online assessments and participation. 		True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught communication skills through written and oral feedback on the assessments for the unit. Students studying on-campus will learn valuable communication skills through participation in tutorials (this will include debates and small group work). Students will practice their communication skills through completing the assessment tasks (online assessments) and online participation. 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
Students will be taught, and directed, to relevant literature and how to assess its validity. Students will be assessed (through the essay) on their ability to identify relevant literature, and on their ability to critically analyse the literature. 		True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Through completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to research, write and discuss social issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, and will be useful in any research positions. In addition, students who attend tutorials will be provided with the skills to debate contentious topics and develop their understanding of a topic through group activities. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be assessed on their ability to deconstruct the essay question and to integrate theory and literature into their answer. Students will need to work out how to address the question and where the most appropriate material is to answer the question. 		True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. This will be assessed and taught through their responses to the essay and exam questions. 		True True
8 Team Work
Students will practice their teamwork skills through participating in tutorials, or online discussion postings. They will be required to discuss the weekly topics with their fellow students in a thoughtful and respectful manner (practice). 		True
   

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