Students

PHIL3051 – Great Texts in Philosophy and Ethics

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Paul-Mikhail Catapang Podosky
Katrina Hutchison
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Some problems in philosophy and ethics are central to our understanding of ourselves and the world: What is virtue? What is it to lead a good life? What can we know about the world? What is it to be free? What is it to be human? In this unit, we’ll trace some of these key questions back to their origins in classic philosophical texts, giving you a chance to engage deeply with the ideas of central thinkers in the history of philosophy. The unit will involve a close reading of one or more pivotal philosophical texts, which may include such foundational works as Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason, Hegel’s Philosophy of Right, Hume’s Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Specific texts will vary from year to year. Information about current and upcoming texts will be available on the Philosophy Department’s website.

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: explain some classic debates and topics in Philosophy and Ethics
  • ULO2: analyse arguments in the relevant literature
  • ULO3: critically evaluate relevant theories and arguments
  • ULO4: communicate clearly your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit

General Assessment Information

Detailed assessment information and rubrics

Detailed information about each of the assessments, including rubrics and submission instructions will be available in the Assessment block in  iLearn. Please make sure you read the assessment information carefully, watch the Guide to Assessment video, and post a message in the relevant Assessment forum if you have any questions. 

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 submitted no later than five days after the due date and should be accompanied by appropriate documentation. 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 Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

Academic Integrity

In Philosophy, academic honesty is taken very seriously, and a range of methods, including but not restricted to the use of Turnitin, are used to detect plagiarism. 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 ask the convenor for help and see also the  Academic Integrity Policy https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/academic-integrity

Note: All assignments in this unit are individual assignments. Collusion (unauthorised collaboration on individual assignments) is a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy. If in doubt, contact a member of teaching staff. 

A helpful resource if you would like to know more about referencing and avoiding plagiarism is  Macquarie's Academic Integrity Module, available here: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/skills-development. You will need to complete this Module before accessing the unit content, if you have not already done so. More information is available in iLearn. 

Academic Writing and Study Support

Macquarie University offers a number of services to help with academic writing, referencing and study skills. For details, see: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/skills/assignments

For information about policies related to Assessment, see Policies and Procedures section below.

 

 

 

Reflective writing tasks

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours Due: 11:55pm 10/09/2023 Weighting: 20%

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • understand some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy
  • analyse arguments in the relevant literature
  • evaluate relevant theories and arguments critically
  • communicate clearly your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit

 

Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours Due: 11:55pm, Sunday (three quizzes in total, worth 5% each) Weighting: 15%

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • understand some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy

 

Philosophical essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours Due: 11:55pm, 5/11/2023 Weighting: 40%

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • understand some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy
  • analyse arguments in the relevant literature
  • evaluate relevant theories and arguments critically
  • communicate clearly your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit

 

Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours Due: Ongoing Weighting: 25%

Participate in relevant online forum or in-class tutorial discussions and activities. Students are expected to be well-prepared and make a constructive contribution.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • understand some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy
  • analyse arguments in the relevant literature
  • evaluate relevant theories and arguments critically
  • communicate clearly 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

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 25% No On-going
Online quizzes 15% No Every four weeks (three in total)
Reflective writing tasks 20% No 10/09/2023 (11:55pm)
Philosophical Essay 40% No 5/11/2023 (11:55pm)

Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: On-going
Weighting: 25%

 

Demonstrating preparation for the weekly topics through active participation in on-campus tutorials and/or online discussions, and related activities.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • explain some classic debates and topics in Philosophy and Ethics
  • analyse arguments in the relevant literature
  • critically evaluate relevant theories and arguments
  • communicate clearly your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit

Online quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Every four weeks (three in total)
Weighting: 15%

 

Short online quizzes to test student understanding of key concepts and ideas

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • explain some classic debates and topics in Philosophy and Ethics

Reflective writing tasks

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 10/09/2023 (11:55pm)
Weighting: 20%

 

Reflective writing tasks

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • explain some classic debates and topics in Philosophy and Ethics
  • analyse arguments in the relevant literature
  • critically evaluate relevant theories and arguments
  • communicate clearly your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit

Philosophical Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 5/11/2023 (11:55pm)
Weighting: 40%

 

In-depth analysis of a key question using the authors and arguments studied throughout the unit

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • explain some classic debates and topics in Philosophy and Ethics
  • analyse arguments in the relevant literature
  • critically evaluate relevant theories and arguments
  • communicate clearly 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

Delivery and Resources

Required and recommended texts and/or materials

All weekly readings for the unit will be made available through the Leganto link in iLearn.

Lectures 

Lectures in this unit will be delivered in-person and will be made available online. You must attend these lectures before participating in the weekly tutorial.

Unit Webpages and E-Resources

Much of this unit (lectures, readings, assessment instructions etc.) is delivered online through iLearn (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 consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements. 

Unit Schedule

This course will focus on great texts in modern moral psychology with a focus on the Kohlberg vs Gilligan debate of the 1970s. Specifically, we will look at Carol Gilligan’s book In a Different Voice, which is a significant text for moral psychology, feminist theory, and ethics of care.

In addition to reading In a Different Voice, we will explore papers by Laurence Kohlberg, whose model of moral development was the inspiration and foil for Gilligan’s work. We will also read excerpts of texts

  • By thinkers who inspired Kohlberg and Gilligan, including: Immanuel Kant and Virginia Wolf
  • By thinkers inspired by Kohlberg and Gilligan, including: Virginia Held, Nel Noddings, Joan Tronto, Paul Formosa, Catriona Mackenzie, Stephanie Collins.

The course will provide an opportunity to reflect on:

  • The origins of key ideas in contemporary moral psychology
  • The origins of ethics of care, and how this has influenced current work in ethical theory
  • The role of empirical research in philosophy
  • The connections between psychology and philosophy
  • How the status and position of people in oppressed groups influences the history of ideas (e.g. in a different voice is an example of what happens when a women has a space to work and an opportunity to lead a research project in a field dominated by men)

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.


Unit information based on version 2023.04 of the Handbook