Analytic Philosophy

Subject 161-237 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - 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


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Thirty-two contact hours per semester: two 1-hour lectures per week for the first 11 weeks and a 1-hour tutorial per week beginning the third week of semester
Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours/week, 5.5 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: At least one first-year philosophy subject, or permission from the Head of School or the subject coordinator.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Greg Restall

Contact

Assoc Pof Greg Restall

restall@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject is a study of the philosophical tradition known as Analytic Philosophy. We will focus on the rise of Analytic Philosophy, some central texts by key figures in the tradition (such as Bertrand Russell, GE Moore, Rudolf Carnap, WVO Quine, JL Austin and SA Kripke) and the impact and influence of this tradition in current work. We will see ways that this tradition offers distinctive answers to long standing questions about the nature of knowledge and in particular, a priori knowledge; and we will see how this approach to philosophy is informed and influenced by developments in other fields. We will focus, in particular, on the traditions' development of a new way of understanding of analytic truth in new approaches to semantics.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject will
  • know the outlines of the history of the analytic school;
  • have a clear understanding of some central debates in 20C philosophy;
  • be able to relate logical and semantic concepts to metaphysical and epistemological issues.
Assessment: Two written assignments of 2000 words each, one due mid-semester 47%, the second due at the end of semester 50%, and tutorial participation 3%.
Prescribed Texts: The Semantic Tradition from Kant to Carnap, Alberto Coffa, Cambridge University Press; Together with a subject reader to be available from the bookshop at the start of semester.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject will
  • demonstrate an ability to critically examine philosophical arguments and theses;
  • be able to write clearly about abstract debates;
  • be able to marshal arguments into a coherent case;
  • be able to conduct research based on monographic and periodical literature.
Related Course(s): Diploma in Arts (Philosophy)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: European Studies Major
Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy Major

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