Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Richard Heersmink
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(12cp at 100 level or above) 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
This unit explores the relationship between the body and the mind. It introduces students to the central issues in contemporary philosophy of mind, focusing on the issue of whether the mind can be incorporated into the scientific picture of the world. The first part of the unit consists of a survey of competing philosophical theories of the mind: dualism, behaviourism, the identity theory, and functionalism. The second half consists of a discussion of some topical issues in contemporary philosophy of mind and cognitive science. What is the nature of phenomenal (subjective) experience? What is consciousness? Is a physical theory of consciousness possible? What is the role of the body in cognitive processes?
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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 | Hurdle | Due |
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Tutorial participation | 15% | No | Throughout |
Online quizzes | 15% | No | Week 4, 8, 12 |
First essay | 30% | No | Week 8 |
Final essay | 40% | No | Week 13 |
Due: Throughout
Weighting: 15%
Each week, external students have to write a 200 words summary of the weekly readings. This is to replace the tutorials of the internal students, and is meant to ensure consistent engagement with the course material.
Due: Week 4, 8, 12
Weighting: 15%
Three short online quizzes (10 multiple choice questions) in which you answer a number of questions. The quizzes are due in week 4, 8 and 12.
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%
You will write a short 1500 word essay on one of the topics discussed during the first half of the course. These topics include Cartesian dualism, behaviorism, functionalism, identity theory, and nonreductive physicalism. In week 8, we'll discuss the outcome of the essays during class, providing elaborate feedback on your essay such that you can incorporate common mistakes in your second essay. Your essay should be submitted online via Turnitin.
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
You will write a 2000 word essay on one of the topics discussed during the second half of the course. These topics include consciousness, situated cognition, embodied cognition, extended and distributed cognition. Your essay should be submitted online via Turnitin.
John Heil. (2013). Philosophy of mind: A contemporary introduction (3rd edition). Routlegde. (Note that this is the 3rd edition!)
Additional resources will be uploaded on iLearn
Week |
Topic |
Readings |
1 |
Course introduction |
Heil ch 1 |
2 |
Cartesian dualism |
Heil ch 2 & 3 |
3 |
Behaviorism |
Heil ch 4 |
4 |
Identity theory |
Heil ch 5 |
5 |
Functionalism |
Heil ch 6 |
6 |
Nonreductive physicalism |
Heil ch 11 |
7 |
Consciousness |
Heil ch 10 |
8 |
Consciousness and the brain |
Howhy, J. & Frith, C. (2004). Can Neuroscience Explain Consciousness? Journal of Consciousness Studies, 11(7–8), 180–198. |
9 |
Representational theory of mind |
Heil ch 7 |
10 |
Situated cognition |
Clark, A. (2001). Cognitive Technology: Beyond the Naked Brain. In Mindware: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Cognitive Science. Oxford University Press.
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11 |
Embodied cognition |
M.L. Anderson. (2005). How to study the mind: An introduction to embodied cognition. In: F. Santoianni, C. Sabatano (Eds.), Brain Development in Learning Environments: Embodied and Perceptual Advancements. Cambridge University Press. |
12 |
Extended and distributed cognition |
Clark, A. & Chalmers, D. (1998). The extended mind. Analysis, 58, 10-23. Hutchins, E. (2001) Cognition, Distributed. In R. A. Wilson & F. C. Keil (Eds.). The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences. MIT Press. |
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_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
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
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