Students

PHIX3056 – Contemporary Topics in Philosophy and Ethics

2023 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and Convenor
Thomas Corbin
thomas-alexander.corbin@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Adam Hochman
adam.hochman@mq.edu.au
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

This unit provides students with the opportunity to engage with cutting edge areas of research in contemporary Philosophy and Ethics. Topics and readings will be carefully curated by leading researchers in the department. You will have the opportunity to enhance your skills of argument and critical reflection as you are guided through these exciting areas of research. Topics might include: The Philosophy of Race; Work and the Good Life; Pragmatism; Embodied Cognition; Virtue Theory; Artificial intelligence; Film and Philosophy; Contemporary Critical Theory; Ethical Issues in the use of AI and Machine Learning; Animal Ethics; Ethics of Emerging Technologies including in Healthcare; Contemporary Challenges in Research Ethics; Climate Change and Environmental Ethics. Information about current and upcoming topics 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: Identify and critically evaluate core philosophical and ethical concepts from the readings
  • ULO2: Produce arguments and analysis of philosophical and ethical positions across the readings
  • ULO3: Use your research skills to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the topics.
  • ULO4: Express yourself clearly and precisely when communicating your argument and analysis.

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 https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration for further details and instructions. Read this information 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. The Macquarie University Special Consideration Policy can be found at the end of this document.

Late Assessment 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 non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

 

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. This includes sharing or making use of shared assignments, in person or online, including through file-sharing websites.  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. 

 

Policy on the use of ChatGTP and other Generative AI tools

Information about this unit's policy on the use of AI will be made available in the Assessment block in iLearn. Please check that information and contact the convenor if you have any questions.

 

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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation and engagement 20% No Ongoing.
Quiz 10% No 11:55pm, Sunday of Week 3, 5, 7, 9, 11.
Reflective writing tasks 25% No 11:55pm, Friday 8/9/2023
Philosophical essay 45% No 11:55pm, Friday 3/11/2023

Participation and engagement

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Ongoing.
Weighting: 20%

 

Contribution to discussion and engagement with online tutorial activities. Students are expected to be well-prepared and make a constructive contribution.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and critically evaluate core philosophical and ethical concepts from the readings
  • Produce arguments and analysis of philosophical and ethical positions across the readings
  • Express yourself clearly and precisely when communicating your argument and analysis.

Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 11:55pm, Sunday of Week 3, 5, 7, 9, 11.
Weighting: 10%

 

Quizzes testing knowledge of key concepts and arguments

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and critically evaluate core philosophical and ethical concepts from the readings

Reflective writing tasks

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 11:55pm, Friday 8/9/2023
Weighting: 25%

 

Reflective writing tasks

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and critically evaluate core philosophical and ethical concepts from the readings
  • Produce arguments and analysis of philosophical and ethical positions across the readings
  • Use your research skills to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the topics.
  • Express yourself clearly and precisely when communicating your argument and analysis.

Philosophical essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 11:55pm, Friday 3/11/2023
Weighting: 45%

 

Philosophical essay

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and critically evaluate core philosophical and ethical concepts from the readings
  • Produce arguments and analysis of philosophical and ethical positions across the readings
  • Use your research skills to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the topics.
  • Express yourself clearly and precisely when communicating your argument and analysis.

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

Lectures 

Lectures will be delivered live on campus from 2-4pm on Tuesdayof each week in 29 Wallys Walk - 138 Tutorial Rm, and lectures will also be streamed and recorded for online students, and those unable to attend. You will need to attend or watch the lectures before engaging in tutorial discussion and activities each week. Further instructions about accessing the lectures will be available in iLearn.

Tutorials and online forums

Students will discuss the content through weekly asychronous forums in iLearn. Students will be allocated to a forum group with a member of staff as group leader at the beginning of semester. 

Course Texts

Course readings will be available through Leganto. It is recommended, though not required, that students obtain a copy of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan for the first half of semester.

Unit Webpages and E-Resources

This unit 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

The first half of this unit will be taught by Dr. Thomas Corbin and will focus on contemporary debates in political philosophy using tools from the history of philosophy. The second half of the unit will be taught by Dr. Adam Hochman and will focus on contemporary debates in the philosophy of race.

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 2023.03 of the Handbook