Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Jane Johnson
By arrangement
Tutor
Andrew Dunstall
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an introduction to major topics in ethics, moral theory and contemporary political philosophy. The first section focuses on the nature of happiness. Is pleasure essential to happiness? Or does the pursuit of pleasure harm our chances of lasting fulfilment? Must we be virtuous in order to be happy? What is the relationship between happiness and duty? The second section explores the sources of morality and the objectivity of moral judgement. Is morality based ultimately in self-interest? What is the relationship between morality and religion? Are there moral principles that everyone is bound by reason to recognise? Or is the validity of moral standards relative to specific societies and cultures? Do animals as well as humans count from a moral point of view? In the third section we turn to questions of applied and social philosophy. We consider the interests and welfare of non-human animals, and then turn to some key principles of justice that ought to prevail, in the contemporary world. These include: how should social resources be distributed? What are the obligations of wealthy nations to those less fortunate? What obligations do we have towards indigenous people, as well as immigrants and refugees?
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
The reflections and final essay are to be submitted through Turnitin, and will be marked and returned via Grademark. For information about these tools, see:
http://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm
For information about extension, lateness penalties and special consideration, see the "Policies and Procedures" section below.
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Reflective exercises | 30% | Sunday of weeks 5, 10 and 12 |
Essay | 40% | Sunday, Week 13 |
Quizzes | 15% | Weeks 3-12 |
Online Participation | 15% | Weeks 1-13 |
Due: Sunday of weeks 5, 10 and 12
Weighting: 30%
Three Reflections, one drawn from each part of the unit. Length: 1500 words (3 x 500 words). This assessment is formative (it develops your abilities) and is graded on a pass or fail basis.
This task will be assessed by the following criteria: content, structure, argument and critical analysis, written expression and referencing. A detailed rubric for this task will be supplied on iLearn.
Complete all three reflections to a satisfactory standard for full marks.
Due: Sunday, Week 13
Weighting: 40%
A critical discussion of a set question from parts 2 or 3 of the unit. Length: 1500 words.
This task will be assessed using the following criteria: content, structure, argument, critical analysis, written expression and referencing. A detailed rubric for this task will be supplied on iLearn.
Due: Weeks 3-12
Weighting: 15%
A weekly online quiz, beginning in week 3, on the topics covered for that week. There are 10 quizzes in total. Note: Each individual quiz is only available for 2 weeks, from the date of the relevant lecture.
With this task you will be assessed on your understanding of the material as demonstrated by the correct selection of answers in a multiple choice quiz.
Due: Weeks 1-13
Weighting: 15%
Participation in the online weekly forums represents a commitment to the academic environment necessary to any good philosophy course.
This task will be assessed by the following criteria: quality of your posts and their timeliness (you should post within a week of the topic). Quality is not just measured by the philosophical content of your posts, but by your willingness to engage in discussion with your peers. Much of what you learn in philosophy you will learn by involving yourself in discussion and argument. So while we would like to see some well thought out responses to the topics for each week and to the reading questions, we would also really encourage you to respond to the messages of other students, ask questions, post your thoughts and engage fully in the philosophical community. You'll find that if you make the most of the discussion facilities available, not only will you maximise your participation marks, but you will also get more out of the course in general.
Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
Please contact teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements. Consult the OUA website for more detailed information on technology requirements:
http://www.open.edu.au/public/future-students/getting-started/computer-requirements
Schedule
This year we will introduce philosophy under three big ideas: Living a life of happiness, justifying what goodness is, and some burning issues for justice.
The lectures were recorded in the internal version of the unit at Macquarie University.
Lecturers: JPD: Jean-Philippe Deranty AD: Andrew Dunstall PF: Paul Formosa
Week Topic Tasks
1. So, what is moral philosophy? (JPD)
(What made Darth Vader become a good guy?)
Part 1: Happiness (JPD)
2. “The good life is the life of pleasure” – Epicurean ethics
3. Living according to nature – Stoic ethics Weekly quizzes begin
4. Happiness and character – Aristotelian ethics
Part 2: Goodness (JPD (wk 5) & AD)
5. “If there is no God, is everything permitted?” – morality and religion First reflection due
6. Egoism and self-interest – Plato and The Hunger Games
7. The challenge of multiculturalism – diversity, respect and moral relativism
8. The greatest good for the greatest number – Utilitarianism
9. The moral law is universal! – Kant’s challenge
Part 3: Justice (PF)
10. Justice and inequality – is global poverty justifiable? Second reflection due
11. Immigration and refugees – can we keep them out?
12. Climate change and justice – who should pay to fix it? Final reflection due
13: Looking ahead – where are you going now? Essay due
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:
Outcome
Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.
You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.
If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.
If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.
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
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
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.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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