Metaphysics and Epistemology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Standard

An average of 10 hours each week.

None.

None.

Students enrolling in this subject must have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent.

None

For the purposes of considering request 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/

This unit covers selected issues in contemporary epistemology and metaphysics. We will focus on a particular philosophical issue (for example, a topic in fundamental ontology, or in the philosophy of knowledge, in theories of meaning), and look at contemporary work addressing this issue, covering both metaphysics and epistemology.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• show an understanding of selected issues in contemporary epistemology and metaphysics.
• manifest philosophical skill in arguing in an alert and well informed way for conclusions related to these issues.
• display acquaintance with some important past contributions to the discussion of those issues.
• indicate an awareness of how the subject matter is related to broader concerns in contemporary philosophy.
• acquire the ability to locate issues concerning epistemology and metaphysics.
• learn to evaluate sophisticated arguments offered in the literature.

A 5000-word research essay 100% (due at the end of semester).

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to pass this subject. Regular participation in class is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A reading list will be issued at the beginning of semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• be able to understand both the heart of a philosophical issue and its broader implications.
• have learnt to form a critical understanding of philosophical texts.
• have developed their skills to construct rigorous philosophical arguments.