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Unit outline_

PHIL2613: Plato and Aristotle

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

An examination of the major philosophical themes to be found in the works of Plato and Aristotle, with close attention to a few central works. The course emphasises understanding the ways these philosophers think rather than learning a body of doctrine.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Philosophy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in Philosophy or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Ancient History
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PHIL3013 or PHIL2013
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rick Benitez, rick.benitez@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rick Benitez, rick.benitez@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Elena Gordon, elena.gordon@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Essay 1
Essay
25% Week -03 1000-1250 wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment hurdle task Essay 2
Essay
25% Week 06 1000-1250 wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment hurdle task Essay 3
Essay
25% Week 09 1000-1250 wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment hurdle task Essay 4
Essay
25% Week 12 1000-1250 wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

tbc

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 Plato and the art of philosophy Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 Wizards stingrays and philosophers Lecture (2 hr)  
Plato. Meno 70-81 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 03 Remembrance of things past Lecture (2 hr)  
Plato. Meno 81-100 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 04 Immortal souls, immortal arguments Lecture (2 hr)  
Plato. Phaedo 72-95 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 05 Reasons and Causes Lecture (2 hr)  
Plato. Phaedo 95-118 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 06 Philosophy undone Lecture (2 hr)  
Plato. Parmenides 126-136 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 07 Aristotle and the Science of Philosophy Lecture (2 hr)  
Aristotle. Metaphysics I.1-2 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 08 Learning by Doing Lecture (2 hr)  
Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics II Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 09 I have no recollection of that ... Lecture (2 hr)  
Aristotle. Posterior Analytics I.1-4, II.19 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 10 "If an axe had a soul" Lecture (2 hr)  
Aristotle. De Anima II.1-3, III.4-5 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 11 Aristotle's "Four Causes" Lecture (2 hr)  
Aristotle. Physics II.1-7 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 12 Aristotle's new basis for reality Lecture (2 hr)  
Aristotle's Categories Tutorial (1 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Due to COVID-19 there are no attendance requirements.

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

Course Reader

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 advanced knowledge of Classical Greek Philosophy
  • LO2. Demonstrate knowledge of the history and development of ethics, epistemology and metaphysics
  • LO3. Demonstrate improved critical thinking skills
  • LO4. Demonstrate improved written and oral communication skills
  • LO5. Demonstrate awareness of cultural context of Greek philosophy
  • LO6. Demonstrate appreciation of claims about value and validity

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.

Two sessions on Aristotle are completely new. Overall arc of the course revised in light of new material and individual lectures have all been re-appraised.

Work, health and safety

Due to COVID-19 this unit is being delivered by online lectures and ZOOM tutorials with additional online synchronous and asynchronous opportunities to be presented throughout the semester.  No on-campus presence is required.

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.