Students

PHIL701 – Foundations of Research in Mind and World

2014 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Jennifer Duke-Yonge
jennifer.duke-yonge@mq.edu.au
Contact via jennifer.duke-yonge@mq.edu.au
W6A 722
TBA
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The unit will equip students with the knowledge and skills to carry out research in the broad area of Metaphysics and Epistemology. The focus of the unit is the relationships between mind and the world as mediated by language, science, and culture. The unit will cover classic and important contemporary works on a chosen theme (such as “The Nature of the Conscious Mind”, “Free Will”, “Language and Reality”, or “Scientific Reasoning”) or will be devoted to a study of an important classical text (such as Hume’s “An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding”, Russell’s “The Problems of Philosophy”, or Wittgenstein’s “Philosophical Investigations”.)

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the methodology, concepts and arguments of Hume's 'Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding'.
  • Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources concerning foundational concepts and arguments in Metaphysics and Epistemology.
  • Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in of Metaphysics and Epistemology in written and oral form.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments.
  • Apply acquired knowledge and skills in the context of philosophical scholarship.
  • Work in cooperation with others and reflect on individual and group performance to identify opportunities for improvement.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Research Essay 50% 5pm Monday June 16, 2014
One Page Summaries 20% On going weekly
Class Presentation 15% TBA in class
Participation 15% Weekly

Research Essay

Due: 5pm Monday June 16, 2014
Weighting: 50%

The essay is designed to develop your ability to engage with a topic in depth. The essay develops your ability to express, analyse and organise key ideas clearly and systematically, and your ability to develop a sustained argument. Essay topics will be provided, but students may develop their own topic, in consultation with the teaching staff.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the methodology, concepts and arguments of Hume's 'Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding'.
  • Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources concerning foundational concepts and arguments in Metaphysics and Epistemology.
  • Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in of Metaphysics and Epistemology in written and oral form.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments.
  • Apply acquired knowledge and skills in the context of philosophical scholarship.

One Page Summaries

Due: On going weekly
Weighting: 20%

Ten one page summaries of readings : (10 pieces of work worth in total 20%). You will give a summary of each week's reading and bring this along to the seminar with you. You will use it as a basis for your own contributions to the discussion at seminar, and submit it each week at the seminar.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the methodology, concepts and arguments of Hume's 'Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding'.
  • Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in of Metaphysics and Epistemology in written and oral form.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments.

Class Presentation

Due: TBA in class
Weighting: 15%

Each student will also make one class presentation introducing the text(s) to be discussed in the seminar. This will be assessed for its clarity and ability to identify relevant issues for discussion. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the methodology, concepts and arguments of Hume's 'Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding'.
  • Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources concerning foundational concepts and arguments in Metaphysics and Epistemology.
  • Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in of Metaphysics and Epistemology in written and oral form.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments.
  • Apply acquired knowledge and skills in the context of philosophical scholarship.
  • Work in cooperation with others and reflect on individual and group performance to identify opportunities for improvement.

Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 15%

Seminar participation is a vital part of learning in philosophy. You are expected to attend all seminars, to prepare thoroughly for seminars by reading the material set for each week, and to participate in class discussion. Your participation mark will depend on your engagement with the course material, your degree of preparation for the seminars, and your willingness to participate in discussion with the group.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the methodology, concepts and arguments of Hume's 'Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding'.
  • Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources concerning foundational concepts and arguments in Metaphysics and Epistemology.
  • Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in of Metaphysics and Epistemology in written and oral form.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments.
  • Work in cooperation with others and reflect on individual and group performance to identify opportunities for improvement.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery:

Students are expected to attend and participate in one two-hour discussion seminar each week, from 10-12 on Mondays in Y3A210. There is also an iLearn site for this course.

 

Set Text:

David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (copies have been ordered in to the Co-op Bookshop, but any edition would be fine).

Supplementary reading:

Suggestions for supplementary readings on each topic will be given in class.

 

Technologies used and required 

iLearn

Changes since last offering

The text on which the unit is focused has changed since the last offering of PHIL701 in 2013. 

Unit Schedule

PHIL701 will focus on Hume's Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.Section references below are to that text.

Week 1, 3/3 Introduction
Week 2, 10/3 Section I: Of the different Species of Philosophy
Week 3, 17/3

Section II: Of the Origin of Ideas

Section III: Of the Association of Ideas
Week 4, 24/3

Section IV: Sceptical Doubts concerning the Operations of the Understanding

Section V: Sceptical Solution of these Doubts
Week 5, 31/3

Section VI: Of Probability

Section VII: Of the Idea of Necessary Connexion
Week 6, 7/4 Section VIII: Of Liberty and Necessity
Week 7, 28/4

Section IX: Of the Reason of Animals

Section X: Of Miracles
Week 8, 5/5

Section XI: Of a particular Providence and of a Future State
Week 9, 12/5 Section XII: Of the Academical or Sceptical Philosophy

Week 10, 19/5;

Week 11, 26/5;

Week 12, 2/6

 The last three weeks will be spent on topics from Hume, which will be decided based on the interests of the class. Topics may include (but are not restricted to): the nature of Hume's scepticism; Naturalism; Causation; and the relationship between the Treatise and the Enquriries. Topics will be confirmed during the unit. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.