Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Albert Atkin
Contact via albert.atkin@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp or admission to GDipArts
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
The pragmatist tradition is an influential philosophical movement that emerged in the United States of America during the late nineteenth century. The unit explores some of the writings of three classical pragmatists – Charles S. Peirce, William James and John Dewey – along with contemporary pragmatists such as Richard Rorty, Hilary Putnam and Robert Brandom. The unit focuses on pragmatist ideas about truth and objectivity, including James's claim that the true is what it is satisfactory to believe and Peirce's claim that the truth is what we are destined to believe in the long run. As well as looking at James's view that it can be rational for our beliefs to be shaped by non-evidential considerations such as the passions, we shall consider the claim of modern pragmatists that values have a fundamental role in shaping our understanding of the facts.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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1. Diagnostic Reflection One | 5% | Week 2 |
2. Diagnostic Reflection Two | 5% | Week 12 |
3. Reading Sheets | 30% | On-going |
4. Philosophical Paper | 40% | Week Twelve |
5. Participation | 20% | Ongoing |
Due: Week 2
Weighting: 5%
A short reflection giving the student and lecturer a sense of where their understanding is at the start of the course.
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 5%
A short reflection giving the student and lecturer a sense of where their understanding is at the end of the course.
Due: On-going
Weighting: 30%
This is a formative assessment for learning. Students will submit weekly reading sheets answering questions on the papers allocated for each topic. The best six papers will constitute the students mark. Students may submit as many as they please (e.g. all twelve and take the six best, just six and take all six marks, none and receive nothing).
Due: Week Twelve
Weighting: 40%
A long paper or project (word limits minimum of 2000 – upper limits to be agreed with convenor) taking the form of either (a) a standard essay; or (b) an application of pragmatist ideas to some previously studied philosophical or academic topic; or (c) an application and exploration of pragmatist themes and ideas in a non-academic setting.
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Taking part in discussion and analysis (either in seminar or on-line) of the assigned papers each week will be a significant part of the assessment for the course.
The class will consist of two lectures and a tutorial. It is expected, however, that the lectures will be closer to a seminar style with lots of discussion.
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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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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.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by: