Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jennifer Duke-Yonge
Contact via jennifer.duke-yonge@mq.edu.au, or 9850 8826
W6A 722
Monday and Thursday, 10-11, or by arrangement
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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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 the opportunity for an in-depth study of foundational texts in Anglo-American philosophy. This year, we will focus on David Hume’s “Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding” and his “Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals”. In these works, Hume developed a unified empiricist study of human understanding and human nature, incorporating influential and controversial examinations of topics including reason, knowledge, causation, free will, religion and morality. We will examine the arguments presented in these texts in detail, and consider the influence of Hume’s thought on later philosophy.
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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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Research Essay | 40% | 5pm Monday June 20, 2016 |
Summaries | 20% | Fortnightly, in reading weeks |
Class Presentation | 20% | To be decided |
Participation | 20% | Weekly |
Due: 5pm Monday June 20, 2016
Weighting: 40%
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 teacher.
Due: Fortnightly, in reading weeks
Weighting: 20%
5 summaries, covering the sections for each fortnight. You will give a summary of each fortnight's sections, along with at least three questions or points for discussion, and submit them through iLearn by 9am Friday of weeks 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. The summaries will be returned with feedback by the following Monday. The summaries and discussion questions should help to guide your discussion in the discussion weeks. Note that the summaries should be no more than two pages (750-1000 words) per fortnight, and are summaries rather than analyses. They are designed to make sure you have a good understanding of the content in the reading week, as the foundation for your discussion in the discussion weeks. Your evaluation and analysis should come out in the discussion questions and subsequent discussion.
Due: To be decided
Weighting: 20%
Each student will also make one research presentation during the semester. It may be written, oral or pre-recorded, and needs to be submitted in or before the seminar each discussion week. Internal presentations will be recorded for the benefit of external students, and all presentations will be available through iLearn.
Presenters can assume that all students are familiar with the readings for each week, which will have been discussed in the first part of the week, and should use the opportunity to 'add value' to the discussion. You may choose (for example) to introduce and discuss an interesting piece of secondary literature or a debate from the literature; discuss some connections between the relevant sections of Hume and some contemporary philosophical problems or ideas you've encountered; discuss an argument you're developing for the essay etc. More advice will be given in iLearn.
The presenter, whether internal or external, will also be expected to take an active role in a follow-up discussion in iLearn over the next few days.
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%
Participation is a vital part of learning in philosophy. Internal students are expected to attend all seminars, to prepare thoroughly for seminars by reading the material set for each week, and to participate in discussions in-class and online. For internal students, half your participation mark will come from seminars, and half from the online forums.
External students participation mark will be based on your participation in online discussions. Because this is more heavily weighted for external students, you are expected to participate more. All students should participate in discussions in the first part of the discussion weeks (before the Thursday seminar). External students and the seminar presenter are also expected to participate in the follow-up discussion after the seminar.
For all students, the 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.
Delivery:
There will be a short introductory class in week 1. After that, this unit will be divided into reading weeks (odd weeks) and discussion weeks (even weeks).
Each fortnightly block will 2-3 thematically linked sections from Hume's Enquiry.
In the reading weeks, you need to read the relevant sections, and write up a brief summary with some questions for discussion, to be submitted by 9am on Friday. There will be no on-campus seminars in reading weeks, and nor are you required to participate in online discussions, although the forum will be available if you want to use it.
In the discussion weeks, you will need to participate in online and (if you are an internal student) face-to-face discussions, guided by the discussion questions suggested by the class. You will receive your summaries back with feedback on the Monday of each discussion week, to aid your preparation. There will be on-campus seminars for internal students in discussion weeks, on Thursdays from 12-2 in Y3A210. The seminars will a student presentation (face-to-face, prerecorded or written) , which will contribute to the discussion for the remainder of the week. Further information about participation expectations will be given in iLearn.
Set Text:
David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Hackett, 1993, ISBN 9780872202290.
Please get a copy of this edition. It is inexpensive (only $12.95 from the Co-op), and it makes a reading-based unit much easier if everyone has the same edition.
Supplementary reading:
Suggestions for supplementary readings on each topic will be given through iLearn.
Technologies used and required
iLearn
Changes since last offering
Changes to structure, delivery and assessment.
PHIL701 will focus on Hume's Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding.Section references below are to that text.
Week |
Reading week or discussion week? |
Reading (Topic) |
Activities |
Wk 1 |
Intro/ Reading |
Section I (Introduction)
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Seminar 3/3 |
Wk 2 |
Discussion |
Seminar 10/3 |
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Wk 3 |
Reading |
Sections II and III (Ideas) |
Summary due 18/3 |
Wk 4 |
Discussion |
Seminar 24/3 |
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Wk 5 |
Reading |
Sections IV and V (Induction) |
Summary due 1/4 |
Wk 6 |
Discussion |
Seminar 7/4 |
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Wk 7 |
Reading |
Sections VI – VII (Causation) |
Summary due 29/4 |
Wk 8 |
Discussion |
Seminar 5/5 |
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Wk 9 |
Reading |
Sections IX-XI (Religion) |
Summary due 13/5 |
Wk 10 |
Discussion |
Seminar 19/5 |
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Wk 11 |
Reading |
Section XII (Scepticism) |
Summary due 27/5 |
Wk 12 |
Discussion |
Seminar 2/6 |
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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