Philosophy of Language and Mind

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Admission to fourth year Honours or the Graduate Diploma (Advanced) in the discipline of Philosophy.

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

This subject examines contemporary developments in philosophy of mind and language in the analytic tradition. Topics addressed may include: (1) mental representation, (2) the nature of linguistic communication, (3) sense vs. reference, (4) the nature of consciousness, (5) self-knowledge of one's own mental states. On completion of the subject, the student should have a good understanding of central issues in the philosophy of mind and language and be able to critically assess current research.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• develop a thorough understanding of an important contemporary debate in the philosophy of mind and language;
• gain an appreciation of the implications of these issues for other areas of philosophy, such as metaphysics or epistemology;
• be able to critically assess current research in this area.

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

Hurdle requirement:

• Students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to pass this subject.
• All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per day. After five days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

A subject reader will be available at the commencement of semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.