PHIL 7006 - Advanced Topics in Value Theory

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course provides an advanced approach to a selected topic of current research significance in value theory and practical philosophy. The fields are broadly construed to include ethics, aesthetics, metaethics, moral psychology, decision theory, social and political philosophy, and the history of these topics. Annually, different staff members with expertise in various fields of philosophical inquiry will lead small groups of students through carefully devised curricula on a selected topic. Through the seminars and the written assessment students will acquire a sound understanding of the selected topic and the central points of controversy, and will be supported in constructing rigorous arguments to support one or more key philosophical claims concerning the topic.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHIL 7006
    Course Advanced Topics in Value Theory
    Coordinating Unit Philosophy
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description This course provides an advanced approach to a selected topic of current research significance in value theory and practical philosophy. The fields are broadly construed to include ethics, aesthetics, metaethics, moral psychology, decision theory, social and political philosophy, and the history of these topics. Annually, different staff members with expertise in various fields of philosophical inquiry will lead small groups of students through carefully devised curricula on a selected topic. Through the seminars and the written assessment students will acquire a sound understanding of the selected topic and the central points of controversy, and will be supported in constructing rigorous arguments to support one or more key philosophical claims concerning the topic.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Stephanie Sheintul

    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 a particular topic in value theory and practical philosophy.
    2. Identify, analyse, and evaluate relevant philosophical texts to construct arguments and produce, with support, independent philosophical research.
    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)

    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.

    1,2,4

    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.

    2,3,4

    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.

    3,5

    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.

    3,4,5

    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.

    1

    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.

    4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no set text for this course. All of the required lecture and tutorial readings will be made available via the course website on MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    Recommended supplementary readings will be advised via the course website on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is taught in small group seminar. Seminars are structured by an initial presentation of course material and then leading into whole class discussion. Appropriate to the advanced level of the course, students are expected to take high levels of responsibility for their own learning, and to be proactive in class preparation and in facilitatating and enabling class discussion by their own example.
    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:

    Learning ActivityNumber of sessionsDurationTotal
    Structured learning activities
    Seminar 12 3 36
    Assessment Tasks
    Essay plan 1 24 36
    Essay 1 84 126
    Active participation 12 0.5 6
    Non-contact study/preparation
    Seminar preparation 12 2 24
    Weekly reading 12 7 84
    TOTAL 312
    Learning Activities Summary
    1. Introduction
      1. PPE and the Philosophy of Economics
    2. Explanation in Economics
      1. Economic Explanation
      2. Rational Choice and its Limits
      3. Game Theory and Decision Theory
    3. Economic Theory and Observation
      1. Causal Explanation and Economic Models
      2. Statistics and Experiment in Economics
      3. Evidence-Based Policy and Evidence
    4. Ethics, Politics, and Economics
      1. Welfare and Well-Being
      2. Welfare Economics
      3. Markets and Market Failures
      4. Inequality and Distributive Justice
    5. Conclusion: Beyond the Individual
      1. Social Choice Theory
    ​
  • 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
    TaskTypeDueWeightingLearning Outcome
    Essay plan formative Week 10 20% 1,2,4,5
    Essay summative Week 14 70% 1,2,3,4,5
    Active Participation formative weeks 1–12 10% 1,2,3,4
    ​
    Assessment Detail
    MPhil students will prepare a single extended essay on a topic of your choice (70%), preceded by a detailed plan (20%). There is also a participation component (10%).
    Submission
    All essays, group reports, and weekly discussion answers must be submitted electronically through MyUni. Please do not submit a hard copy of your essay. In this course, essays and reports will be checked with Turnitin.

    It is your responsibility to submit assessments correctly, and to ensure that at all times you act with integrity and responsibility
    during the creation and submission of assessments. Assignments are marked using an electronic rubric, in line with University grade descriptors. You will be able to access the electronic rubric used for marking  from the assignment page, and you should familiarise yourself with the rubrics while writing.

    I will be using anonymous grading for essays. So please omit your name and other identifying information from the pages of your submitted essays. MyUni will assign you a unique identifier which connects with your name. (We will know the identity of students at the conclusion of the assessment process – but not during it.) Group assignments cannot be anonymously marked.

    Queries about grades should be directed to the course coordinator, unless it is just to clarify a comment on your assignment. The university’s assessment grievances policy applies if you wish to request a re-mark. Note that disappointment with your mark is not grounds for a re-mark; see the University’s guidance on grounds for assessment grievances for more detail.
    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
  • 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.