Does God Exist?

Subject 672-340 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2009.
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: A least one first-year single-semester philosophy subject, or permission from the Head of School or 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

Contact

Assoc Prof Christopher Cordner

ccordner@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject is a philosophical examination of whether God exists. What arguments are there in favour of the existence of God? How good are they? What objections are there to the existence of God? How good are they? We'll concentrate on various specific issues, such as whether recent scientific discoveries about the origins and nature of the physical universe count in favour of the view that the physical universe was designed by some intelligent being.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject will
  • be able to identify and understand philosophical issues relevant to assessing whether God exists;
  • evaluate sophisticated arguments in the philosophical literature about Christianity;
  • display acquaintance with some important past contributions to the discussion of those arguments;
  • indicate an awareness of how the subject matter of the subject is related to broader concerns in contemporary philosophy;
  • manifest philosophical skill in arguing in an alert and well informed way for conclusion related to issues raised in the subject.
Assessment: A written assignment of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester), a 2-hour closed-book written examination 45% (held at the end of semester) and tutorial participation 5%.
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will 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:
  • be able to understand both the heart of a philosophical issue and its broader implications;
  • have skills to learn to form a critical understanding of philosophical texts;
  • have developed their skills to construct rigorous philosophical arguments.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Jewish Studies
Jewish Studies Major
Philosophy

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