Philosophy: The Great Thinkers

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

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 subject introduces some of the central themes of Western philosophy through several classic texts, including some or all of the following: Plato on moral ideas; Aristotle on poetry and philosophy; Descartes on knowledge and the nature of the mind; Burke, Hume and Kant on aesthetics; Hume, Marx, Freud and Wittgenstein on religious belief.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• appreciate aspects of what it means to be a human being through the study of central works in the philosophical traditions;
• identify and define key philosophical concepts;
• read historical texts with particular focus on the philosophical arguments that are presented in these texts;
• interpret texts that were written in the history of philosophy;
• wriet well-structured and well-argued short essays that accurately explain and critically assess philosophical views;
• articulate their own responses to philosophical views, support them by reasons and defend them in light of cirticism.

Two essays, one of 800 words, 20% and one of 1200 words, 30% (due during the semester), and a take-home examination, equivalent to 2000 words, 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.

Subject readings will be available on line

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.