The University of Adelaide
Course Outlines

PHIL 1102 - Mind and World

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

Being human is special. Humans are highly intelligent, language-using organisms, who are capable of building complex systems of knowledge, conscious of themselves and their world, and able to freely choose a path through life. So far as we know this combination of abilities is uniquely human. But each is somewhat puzzling. How can we be free if every event is determined by what comes before it? How can words and symbols, which are mere scribbles (or noises), have meanings? And how do organisms with bodies made of physical materials get to be conscious knowers? Philosophers have thought long and hard about these questions. Mind and World is an introduction to some of the answers they've discovered.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHIL 1102
    Course Mind and World
    Coordinating Unit Philosophy
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Tutorials, Online Quizzes, Essay 1, Essay 2.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Jonathan Opie

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The aim of this course is to:
    1. Introduce students to the methods of contemporary philosophy.
    2. Examine some classic philosophical problems and dilemmas.
    3. Explore central problems in the theory of knowledge, the theory of
      representation, and the philosophy of mind.
    4. Provide experience in analyzing and critiquing written arguments.
    5. Provide opportunities to debate philosophical issues in a group setting.
    6. Improve problem solving and critical reasoning skills.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    		 1-3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    		 1, 2, 4, 6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    		 5, 6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    		 5, 6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    		 5, 6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    		 5, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Tutorial readings will be made available on MyUni. These are also suitable reference material for preparation of your written assignments.
    Recommended Resources
    Useful additional readings will be made available on MyUni.
    Online Learning
    Lecture recordings and summary notes will be posted each week on MyUni. A tutorial paper and reading (for the following week’s tutorial) will be posted each week on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    • Lectures. There are two face-to-face lectures each week, which will also be available on MyUni through Echo 360.
    • Tutorials. There will be a one-hour face-to-face tutorial each week. Tutorials will help you develop skills of analysis and verbal communication about philosophical topics.
    • Participation. You will submit brief written answers to the tutorial questions each week, in preparation for tutorial discussion.
    • Quizzes. There are ten weekly, online quizzes, which will test your knowledge of the week's lectures.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    2 x 1-hour lectures (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    1 x 1-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    4 hours assignment/exam preparation per week 48 hours per semester
    3 hours tutorial preparation per week 36 hours per semester
    3 hours reading per week 36 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Introduction (1 Lecture)

    Topic 1: Do we have Free Will? (3 Lectures)
    The puzzle of free will. Compatibilism and its rivals.
    Freedom and responsibility.

    Topic 2: What is Knowledge? (6 Lectures)
    The puzzle of knowers and knowing. Classical and
    naturalized epistemology. Relativism versus objectivism.

    Topic 3: Where does Meaning come from? (3 Lectures)
    The puzzle of representation. Meaning and meaning bearers.
    Linguistic and pictorial meaning. Theories of meaning.

    Interlude (1 Lecture)

    Topic 4: What is a Mind? (10 Lectures)
    What is a mind and who has one? Marks of the mental:
    consciousness, intelligence & intentionality. The computer
    model of the mind. Classical metaphysics of mind.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment TaskTask TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes
    Tutorial Participation Formative 10% 1–6
    Online Quizzes Formative 20% 1–4
    Essay 1 Summative 30% 1–4
    Essay 2 Summative 40% 1–4
    ​
    Assessment Detail

    Your assessment in Mind and World will involve two essays, weekly quizzes and tutorial participation.

    1. Tutorials. A weekly reading and tutorial questions.
    2. Quizzes. Ten weekly online quizzes, which will assess your understanding of the lecture material.
    3. Essay 1 (800-1000 words). You will choose one question based on material from Topic 1 or Topic 2.
    4. Essay 2 (1200-1500 words). You will choose one question based on material from Topic 3 or Topic 4.
    Each essay must satisfy the following requirements:
    • It must include a brief introduction and conclusion.
    • It must acknowledge any dependence, either direct or indirect, on source material.
    • It must include a reference list of all material cited in the essay.
    • It must not lie outside the stated word limits (see above).
    Submission
    Your assignments are submitted through MyUni. If you are not familiar with the process, there’s a tutorial here. Remember that it is your responsibility to submit your assignments correctly. The submission process is as follows:

    • Log into MyUni and select Mind and World (PHIL 1102)
    • Select Assignments in the left-hand menu.
    • Select Essay 1 or Essay 2 , as appropriate.
    • Please keep an electronic copy of your essay, just in case.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
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