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Unit outline_

PHIL1013: Society, Knowledge and Self

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is an introduction to central issues in political philosophy, theories of knowledge and philosophical conceptions of the self. The first part will consider the state, freedom and political obligation. The second part will examine some of the major theories of knowledge in the modern philosophical tradition. The final section will look at conceptions of the self as a knowing and acting subject.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Philosophy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PHIL1010
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Nielsen, michael.nielsen@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Michael Nielsen, michael.nielsen@sydney.edu.au
Oliver Gordon, oliver.gordon@sydney.edu.au
Luara Ferracioli, luara.ferracioli@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Brigitte Everett, brigitte.everett@sydney.edu.au
Lilia Anderson, lilia.anderson@sydney.edu.au
Matthew Su, matthew.su@sydney.edu.au
Darcy Forster, darcy.forster@sydney.edu.au
Wendy Xin, wan.xin@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final assignment
n/a
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 27 Nov 2021 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Essay outline
n/a
10% Week 05
Due date: 06 Sep 2021 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Essay
n/a
30% Week 08
Due date: 05 Oct 2021 at 23:59
1750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small test Online quizzes
n/a
10% Weekly 250wd equiv
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction to Course and Basic Concepts 2. Anarchism, Social Contract Theory, and (Un)Civil Disobedience Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 1. On Democracy 2. The Liberal Orthodoxy Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 1. Critiques of the Liberal Model 2. On Oppression Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 1. Liberalism and the Family 2. On Free Speech and its Limits Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 1. Philosophical Conversations 2. The Self as Soul or Something Else? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 1. Physical Continuity View 2. Psychological Continuity View Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 1. Scepticism, Buddhist Thought, and the No-Self View 2. The Self as Agent Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 1. Historicity and the Self as Story 2. The Self Among Others Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 1. Self-Knowledge: Neo-Expressivism 2. Philosophical Conversations Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 1. Cartesian scepticism 2. Hume on Induction Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 1. Responses to scepticism 2. Coherentism and Foundationalism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 1. Conspiracy theories 2. Testimony Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 1. Disagreement and irrelevant influences 2. Uniqueness and Permissivism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

 

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

     

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate improved skills in critical thinking and the clear expression of your views both orally and in writing
  • LO2. demonstrate ability to analyse and evaluate philosophical arguments
  • LO3. demonstrate understanding of key texts in political philosophy, epistemology, and the theory of personal identity
  • LO4. critically evaluate theories about the state, knowledge, and the self

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.