Reality and Value

Subject PHIL90008 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Standard

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2 hour seminar each week of semester
Total Time Commitment: 10 hours each week
Prerequisites: Admission to the MA in Philosophy (102Nc) or (102CP) or to Philosophy Honours or Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy or Professional Ethics.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Knowledge gained in successfully completing a 3 year undergraduate degree or equivalent.
Non Allowed Subjects: Previously available as 161-513 Philosophical Texts. Students who have completed Philosophical Texts are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Christopher Cordner

Contact

Assoc Prof Christopher Cordner

ccordner@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

The course asks the questions "What is the fundamental nature of reality?", "What is the nature of value?", and "What is the relationship between these two things?" It will proceed by looking at various philosophical texts that address these issues.

Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject will:
  • develop the ability to read philosophical texts carefully and critically.
  • refine the critical skills necessary to undertake original research.
  • acquire detailed knowledge of the historical texts covered.
  • be able to critically evaluate and analyse these texts.
  • appreciate how these fit in to the rest of the history of philosophy.
Assessment: One 5000 word essay 100% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts:

This will vary from semester to semester depending on student and teacher interests.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject will:
  • refine the critical skills necessary to undertake original research. including skills in assessing the strength of arguments, identifying theoretical assumptions, and assessing conflicting arguments.
  • develop the ability to read texts carefully and critically and offer textual support for interpretations.
  • develop the ability to adjudicate conflicting interpretations of texts.
Links to further information: http://www.philosophy.unimelb.edu.au/
Related Course(s): Master of Arts (Professional and Applied Ethics)
Master of Arts in Philosophy (Advanced Seminars and Shorter Thesis)
Master of Arts in Philosophy(Adv Seminars and Shorter Thesis)(CAPPE)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Philosophy
Philosophy

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