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Unit outline_

PHIL3683: Core Issues In Theoretical Philosophy

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit tackles some of the core methods and assumptions in theoretical philosophy via three closely connected modules. The first examines the idea that philosophy involves the analysis of concepts and generates a priori knowledge. The second examines how philosophy relates to empirical knowledge - both scientific knowledge in general, and empirical discoveries made by philosophers. The third module examines philosophical naturalism or related ideas: the question of whether the physical world is all that exists, and the extent to which philosophy is ultimately about the scientific image of the world.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Philosophy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in Philosophy
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Anstey, peter.anstey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Peter Anstey, peter.anstey@sydney.edu.au
Michael Nielsen, michael.nielsen@sydney.edu.au
Kristie Miller, kristie.miller@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Long essay: full reference list required
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 09 Jun 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 30 Jun 2023
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task Quiz 1
Online quiz with multiple choice and/or short answer questions.
2% Week -02
Due date: 02 Mar 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 02 Mar 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Quiz 2
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
2% Week -03
Due date: 09 Mar 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 09 Mar 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Quiz 3
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
2% Week 04
Due date: 16 Mar 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 16 Mar 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Quiz 4
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
2% Week 05
Due date: 23 Mar 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 23 Mar 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Quiz 5
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
2% Week 06
Due date: 30 Mar 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 30 Mar 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Essay Plan 1
Short essay plan for longer essay. Short reference list required.
10% Week 06
Due date: 31 Mar 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 02 Jun 2023
400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Quiz 6
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
2% Week 07
Due date: 06 Apr 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 06 Apr 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Online task Quiz 7
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
2% Week 08
Due date: 20 Apr 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 20 Apr 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Online task Quiz 8
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
2% Week 09
Due date: 27 Apr 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 27 Apr 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Online task Quiz 9
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
1% Week 10
Due date: 04 May 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 04 May 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Essay Plan 2
Short essay plan for longer essay. Short reference list required.
10% Week 10
Due date: 12 May 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 02 Jun 2023
400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3
Online task Quiz 10
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
1% Week 11
Due date: 11 May 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 11 May 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Online task Quiz 11
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
1% Week 12
Due date: 18 May 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 01 May 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Online task Quiz 12
Multiple choice and/or short answer questions
1% Week 13
Due date: 25 May 2023 at 15:00

Closing date: 25 May 2023
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3

Assessment summary

See Canvas for details.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading  

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

See Canvas for details.

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 Introduction to PHIL3683 Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 Analysis and synthesis Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 03 Definitions and proofs Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 04 Concepts and ideas Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 05 Analysis and analytic philosophy Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 06 The Canberra Plan Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 07 Thought experiments Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 08 Experimental philosophy I Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 Experimental philosophy II Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 10 Naturalism and naturalized epistemology Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 11 Quinean naturalism and normativity Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 12 Mathematical and moral realism Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 13 Reliability, objectivity, and pluralism Lecture (2 hr)  

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.

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. Gain a broad and detailed knowledge of the main methodologies employed in theoretical philosophy
  • LO2. Acquire a historical perspective on how theoretical philosophy has developed in the modern and post-modern eras
  • LO3. Develop skills in argument analysis and conceptual analysis
  • LO4. Gain a detailed knowledge of intersection points between theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy

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.

This is a new unit. No closing the loop 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.