Students
PHIX3058 – Metaphysics
2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor/tutor
Jennifer Duke-Yonge
Contact via Email, or via "Dialogues" in iLearn
25WWB719
By arrangement
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines some central themes in traditional and contemporary metaphysics. We will begin by examining traditional topics such as causation, free will, laws of nature, personal identity, mental states, and time. Some of the questions we will look at are: Do we have free will or are our actions determined by the laws of nature? How does the mind relate to the brain? Will my personal identity persist over time? What is the nature of time? Is time travel possible? We will also examine a range metaphysical topics in other areas in philosophy, which may include philosophy of art, philosophy of technology, and philosophy of religion. |
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:
- ULO1: apply understanding developed through course material, readings and research to explain key problems in Metaphysics and responses to them.
- ULO2: apply advanced skills in critical analysis and reflection to respond to the problems and theories introduced in the unit.
- ULO3: clearly communicate your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
- ULO4: contribute to the learning of the group by engaging constructively in philosophical discussion and activities.
General Assessment Information
Assessments are to be submitted through Turnitin, and will be marked and returned via Grademark. For information about these tools, see:
Special Consideration
Requests for extensions should be submitted via a Special Consideration request, which is available in the http://ask.mq.edu.au portal. Your request should be accompanied by appropriate documentation, such as a medical certificate. Please see the Special Consideration policy in the list of policies at the end of this document for further details.
Read the policy closely as your request may be turned down if you have not followed procedure, or if you have not submitted a request in a timely manner.
Late Assessment Penalty
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.
Academic Integrity
In Philosophy, academic honesty is taken very seriously. Misrepresenting someone else's work as your own may be grounds for referral to the Faculty Disciplinary Committee. If you have questions about how to properly cite work or how to credit sources, please talk to one of the teaching staff and see also Academic Integrity Policy (see the Policies and Procedures section below).
Please note that the policy also prohibits resubmitting work you have already submitted in another unit or unit offering. This counts as self-plagiarism. To avoid self-plagiarism, if you have done this unit previously, you should write on another topic this time. If this presents you with any problems, please contact the unit convenor as soon as possible.
All due times/dates are based on Sydney time. If you are in a different timezone, check here to confirm times.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final essay | 40% | No | Sunday 8/11 (Week 13) |
| First essay | 30% | No | Sunday 20/9 (Mid-semester break) |
| Tutorial/online discussion | 10% | No | Weeks 2-12 |
| Online quizzes | 15% | No | Weeks 5, 9, 13 |
| Essay plan | 5% | No | Sunday 18/10 (Week 10) |
Final essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Sunday 8/11 (Week 13)
Weighting: 40%
An argumentative essay on themes from the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply understanding developed through course material, readings and research to explain key problems in Metaphysics and responses to them.
- apply advanced skills in critical analysis and reflection to respond to the problems and theories introduced in the unit.
- clearly communicate your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
First essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Sunday 20/9 (Mid-semester break)
Weighting: 30%
A short argumentative essay on themes from the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply understanding developed through course material, readings and research to explain key problems in Metaphysics and responses to them.
- apply advanced skills in critical analysis and reflection to respond to the problems and theories introduced in the unit.
- clearly communicate your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
Tutorial/online discussion
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weeks 2-12
Weighting: 10%
Students should be well prepared for tutorials (in class or online). Students should make a constructive contribution to classroom/online discussion and activities.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- clearly communicate your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
- contribute to the learning of the group by engaging constructively in philosophical discussion and activities.
Online quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 9 hours
Due: Weeks 5, 9, 13
Weighting: 15%
Multiple choice questions covering material from lectures and set readings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply understanding developed through course material, readings and research to explain key problems in Metaphysics and responses to them.
Essay plan
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Sunday 18/10 (Week 10)
Weighting: 5%
Prior to the final essay, students will submit an essay plan of their intended chosen question for the final essay.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply understanding developed through course material, readings and research to explain key problems in Metaphysics and responses to them.
- apply advanced skills in critical analysis and reflection to respond to the problems and theories introduced in the unit.
- clearly communicate your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
For the first half of this course, we'll use the following textbook:
John W. Carroll and Ned Markosian. (2010). Introduction to Metaphysics. Cambridge University Press.
Please buy this book before the course begins. It is available as a hard copy via Booktopia, but is also available in a Kindle edition if you prefer.
For the second half, we'll use selected articles which will be available electronically through the Macquarie University Library, with links from iLearn.
Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. Unit resources include video lecture recordings, quizzes, written content, discussion forums and assignment submission.
PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement. A reliable internet connection is required throughout semester.
Unit Schedule
| Week 1 (beginning 27/7) | Course introduction: What is Metaphysics? |
| Week 2 (beginning 3/8) | Causation |
| Week 3 (beginning 10/8) | Free Will and Determinism |
| Week 4 (beginning 17/8) | Laws of Nature |
| Week 5 (beginning 24/8) | Personal Identity |
| Week 6 (beginning 31/8) | Mental States |
|
Week 7 (beginning 7/9)
14/9 - 27/9 |
The Metaphysics of God
Midsemester break |
| Week 8 (beginning 28/9) | Time |
| Week 9 (beginning 5/10) | Time Travel |
| Week 10 (beginning 12/10) | The Metaphysics of Art |
| Week 11 (beginning 19/10) | The Metaphysics of Artefacts |
| Week 12 (beginning 26/10) | The Metaphysics of Virtual Reality |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
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.
Changes from Previous Offering
Minor changes to assessment