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Year:

PHIL503 Epistemology: The Enlightenment and Beyond

Updated: 17 January 2013
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions PHIL203 or PHIL303 or PHIL403 or PHRS203 or PHRS403 or PHRS240 or PHRS340
Notes None
Combined Units PHIL303 - Epistemology: The Enlightenment and Beyond
Coordinator(s) Anthony Lynch (alynch@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit provides a critical exposition of the Enlightenment Project, especially as it applies to science and to religion. Among other topics, there will be an introduction to the thought of Hume and Kant, and an examination of some contemporary responses to these two key enlightenment thinkers, including a discussion of realism concerning science and concerning religion.

Materials No text required
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 50% 3500
Assessment Notes
Essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-3 GA: 1, 2, 4-7
Assignment 2 50% 3500
Assessment Notes
Essay
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. demonstrate a critical understanding of contemporary epistemological theories;
  2. demonstrate an advanced understanding of Hume/Kant debate; and
  3. exhibit an advanced understanding of modern philosophies of religion.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the philosophy discipline will be taught through unit notes, readings and assignments. Knowledge is assessed in all assessment tasks.
True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught communication skills through written feedback on the essays for the unit. Students will learn valuable communication skills through participation in tutorials and online discussion postings. Students will be assessed on the style of writing, clarity of writing, expression and development of ideas, and referencing. Students will practise their communication skills through completing the assessment tasks.
True True True
3 Global Perspectives
This unit's emphasis on the broader philosophical underpinnings of our reasoning practices will present students with opportunities for developing a global perspective.
True
4 Information Literacy
Students will develop research skills in collecting and evaluating data, including the skills to assess the utility of information, identify the most useful sources of information and critically examine those sources.
True True
5 Life-Long Learning
By completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary life-long 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. These attributes will be assessed in all of the assessments (written skills; analytical skills).
True True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be assessed on their ability to conceptualise problems and formulate a range of solutions to both research and presentation. They will be able to collect, collate and analyse relevant information to assist problem solving.
True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will be taught about their professional responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced and accurate research. In addition, 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 assessments or online postings.
True True True
8 Team Work
Students will practise working collaboratively and network effectively to solve problems on the online discussion postings taking initiative and leading others in this environment. They will also negotiate and assert their own values and respect the values and contributions of others on the discussion board and in their own essays.
True
   

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