Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Michael Olson
Hearing Hub, 2nd floor
By appointment
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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 course introduces students to a central question or theme in modern European philosophy by returning to some of the pivotal writings of that tradition. This might take the form of an examination of what ‘transcendental’ philosophy is through a reading of Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason, for example, or an analysis of the meaning of freedom through a reading of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right. Specific topics and readings vary by year.
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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:
Late Submission 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.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Research essay | 60% | No | Week 13 |
Short Papers | 30% | No | throughout semester |
Discussion and Participation | 10% | No | thoughout semester |
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 60%
The major assessment for the unit is a 4000-word research essay that addresses the theme of the seminar. Students will determine the topic of their own essays in consultation with the instructor.
Assessment criteria are outlined on the rubric provided on ilearn.
Due: throughout semester
Weighting: 30%
During the course of the semester, students will write short papers (approximately 500 words each) that will serve as the basis for seminar discussion in that week. These papers should summarise the most important arguments of the week's reading. In addition to the summary, students should raise at least two discussion questions.
The schedule of individual deadlines will be worked out in the first week of the seminar.
Assessment criteria include the accuracy and completeness of the paper's engagement with the relevant material and the quality of the discussion questions.
Due: thoughout semester
Weighting: 10%
Active preparation for and participation in in-person or online discussion.
The criteria by which this assessment is evaluated include both the quality (insight, concision, comprehension) and quantity of student participation.
The seminar will meet fortnightly with ongoing discussion of the material online in between meetings. Students will accordingly require regular access to iLearn.
Week 1: Preliminaries
Meditations on First Philosophy, Dedicatory letter to the Sorbonne, Preface to the Reader, and Synopsis of the following six Meditations, CSM 3-11 (AT VII 1-16).
Week 2: Meditations on First Philosophy (1641)
Meditations 1-3, CSM 12-36 (AT VII 17-52)
Objections and Replies
Fifth Objections and Replies, CSM 180-185, 243-246 (AT VII 257-265, 350-355)
First Objections and Replies, CSM 67-69, 78-80 (AT VII 93-95, 108-112)
Fourth Objections and Replies, CSM 146-150, 162-172 (AT VII 208-214, 231-247)
Fifth Objections and Replies, CSM 202-214, 251-254 (AT VII 291-307, 364-369)
Sixth Objections and Replies, CSM 278, 285-286 (AT VII 413, 422-424)
Additional reading:
Week 4: Meditations on First Philosophy
Meditations 4-6, CSM 49-62 (AT VII 53-90)
Correspondence with Marin Mersenne, in The Philosophical Writings of Descartes, eds. and trans. John Cottingham, Robert Stoothoff, Dugald Murdoch, and Anthony Kenny (Cambridge University Press, 1991), 20-26 (AT I 135-154). (Descartes to Marin Mersenne, 15 April, 1630, Descartes to Mersenne, 6 May, 1630, and Descartes to Mersenne, 27 May, 1630).
Objections and Replies
Second Objections and Replies, CSM 89-90, 100-101 (AT VII 125-126, 140-141)
Second Objections and Replies, CSM 91, 106-109 (AT VII 127, 149-154)
Additional Reading:
Week 6: Treatise on Man (1649; published 1664)
René Descartes, The World and Other Writings, trans. and ed. Stephen Gaukroger (Cambridge University Press, 2004), 99-119, 139-169 (AT XI 119-138, 163-202).
Additional Reading:
Week 8: Correspondence with Princess Elisabeth (1643, 1645)
Lisa Shapiro (ed. and trans.), The Correspondence between Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia and René Descartes (University of Chicago Press, 2007), 61-73, 91-122 (AT III 660-695, IV 1-3, 263-324).
Additional Reading:
Week 10 Passions of the Soul (1649)
Passions of the Soul, Parts I and II, in The Philosophical Writings of Descartes, eds. John Cottingham, Robert Stoothoff, and Dugald Murdoch (Cambridge University Press, 1984), vol. 1, 326-382 (AT XI 322-442).
Additional Reading:
Week 12 Passions of the Soul Passions of the Soul, Part III, in The Philosophical Writings of Descartes, vol. 1, 383-404 (AT XI 443-488).
Additional Reading:
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:
Undergraduate 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).
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 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.
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by: