Philosophy: The Great Thinkers

Subject PHIL10003 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

Semester 2, 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: 2 1-hour lectures each week and 1x 1-hour tutorial for 11 weeks
Total Time Commitment:

An average of 8.5 hours each week.
Prerequisites:

None.
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 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

Associate Professor Christopher Cordner

ccordner@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject introduces some of the central themes of Western philosophy through several classic texts, including some or all of the following: Plato and Descartes on the nature of the mind, Hume and Kant on reason and morality, and Machiavelli and Marx on the state.
Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this subject will

  • acquire knowledge and understanding of the texts studied.
  • appreciate what these texts have to show us about what it means to be a human being.
  • be able to present accurate and well-expressed exposition of important issues and views arising in them.
  • be able to present informed and fair-minded philosophical evaluation of them.
Assessment:

Two short papers, 2x500 words 12.5% each; (the first assessment piece due in week 4), a 1000 word assignment 25% (due during the semester), and a take-home examination 50% (due during the end of semester examination period).

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available on line or in hard-copy at the Coop bookshop at the beginning 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

  • be able to recognise philosophically important similarities and differences between views and issues arising in different texts and contexts.
  • be able to apply the analytical skills developed in this subject to other philosophical and non-philosophical studies.
  • be able to apply the critical skills developed in this subject to other philosophical and non-philosophical studies.
Links to further information: http://www.philosophy.unimelb.edu.au/
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy Major

Download PDF version.