Introduction to Philosophy
Overview
The unit introduces students to the rich and fascinating story of humanity's efforts to understand itself and its place in the universe. Through being exposed to some of the greatest thinkers and some of the most profound arguments in history, students will learn to question and seek meaning and truth in their own lives. They will also learn to appreciate the central place of philosophy in civilized life and its potential to address global crises and create better futures. The unit of study also fosters a range of analytical, critical and communication skills, valuable for professional development.
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Participate in informed class discussion on a range of relevant philosophical topics
- Develop and systematically defend a position in writing on an assigned topic
- Articulate and orally defend a position on a selected topic in a tutorial presentation
- Demonstrate a specific knowledge of key themes dealt with in assigned readings
- Demonstrate an ability to identify and critically evaluate philosophical perspectives and presuppositions underlying current real-world problems and debates
- Demonstrate an ability to think dialectically
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Tutorial | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Various | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 6.50 | 12 weeks | 78 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Individual | 50% | 2,4,5,6 |
| Journal | Individual | 30% | 4,5,6 |
| Tutorial Presentation | Individual | 20% | 1,3,4,5,6 |
Content
- Dialectical thinking; the ability to engage with and synthesize opposing views
- Differing positions on a range of questions set within their historical contexts; questions around the nature of reality, knowledge, truth, freedom and what constitutes a good life
- The dialectic between order and chaos contrasting those thinkers who seek strict order with those who are comfortable with chaos, with the aim of better understanding the relationship between both
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.