PHIL 3033 - Key Texts in Philosophy

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

This capstone course for the Philosophy major will focus on a close reading and analysis of influential texts in philosophy. It will act as a suitable culmination to a major in Philosophy, and a bridge into Honours/MPhil, with an emphasis on in-depth treatment of more narrowly focused topics and, in some cases, their historical genesis. The content is not fixed in advance, but will be determined from year to year by a combination of available expertise and the latest research in the field.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHIL 3033
    Course Key Texts in Philosophy
    Coordinating Unit Philosophy
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites At least 15 units of Philosophy Major courses
    Restrictions Available to students undertaking a Philosophy Major only
    Assessment Seminar presentation 1 (2,000 word draft) 10%, Essay 1 (4,500 words) 40%, Seminar presentation 2 (2,000 word draft) 10%, Essay 2 (4,500 words) 40%
    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

    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate a detailed and high-level understanding of the essential arguments and theoretical ideas of particular key text(s) in philosophy.
    2. Identify, analyse, and evaluate the central concepts of key philosophical text(s), to construct arguments engaging with those text(s), and to know how to situation those texts in their broader historical and theoretical contexts.
    3. Communicate effectively in a range of formats (but particularly through the production of extended written texts) and to demonstrate a thorough grasp of the scholarly conventions of the discipline of philosophy.
    4. Develop a critical, self-reflective approach to the study of philosophy, which acknowledges methodological issues in philosophical inquiry and is sensitive to the consequences and prevalence of philosophical disagreement.
    5. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of a range of contemporary technologies to conduct research, communicate results and communicate with others.
    ​
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2,3,4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3,5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    3,4,5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Recommended Resources
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

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

    This is a 6 unit course with a commensurate workload.

    WORKLOADTOTAL HOURS
    STRUCTURED LEARNING
    3 hour seminar per week 36 hours per semester
    Sub-total 36 hours
    SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
    6 hours class reading per week 72 hours per semester
    6 hours research reading per week 36 hours per semester
    8 hours assignment prep per week 96 hours per semester
    Sub-total 240 hours
    TOTAL 276 hours
    ​
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • 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 TYPEWEIGHTINGCOURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
    Extended Essay Summative 50% 1,2,3,4,5
    Essay topic development plan Formative 10% 1,2,3,4,5
    Weekly textual analyses Formative and Summative 40% 1,2,4
    ​
    Assessment Detail
    AssessmentDescription% weighting
    Extended Essay An essay of 4000–6000 words on a topic of the student’s choice relevant to the topic of the course, due after the end of classes. 50%
    Essay topic development plan A plan, detailing the students proposed topic for their extended essay and how they propose to approach the key texts through it. Due in the second-last week of class; about 800–1200 words. 10%
    Weekly textual analyses Students must produce a weekly textual analysis of a passage from the set reading for that week of about 200–300 words. 40%
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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
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