Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor and Tutor
Jane Johnson
Jane Johnson
Kelly Hamilton
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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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 provides an introduction to major topics in ethics, moral theory and contemporary political philosophy. The first section focuses on the nature of happiness. Is pleasure essential to happiness? Or does the pursuit of pleasure harm our chances of lasting fulfilment? Must we be virtuous in order to be happy? What is the relationship between happiness and duty? The second section explores the nature of moral goodness. Is morality based ultimately in self-interest? What is the relationship between morality and religion? Are there moral principles that everyone is bound by reason to recognise? Or is the validity of moral standards relative to specific societies and cultures? In the third section we turn to questions of applied political philosophy, focusing on questions such as: What principles should govern the distribution of economic and social resources within a society? What are the obligations of wealthy nations to those less fortunate, including immigrants and refugees? And what issues of justice are raised by climate change?
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-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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Task 1 Participation | 20% | No | Weeks 2-11 |
Task 2 Quizzes | 20% | No | Weeks 3-12 |
Task 3 Reflective exercise | 20% | No | Sunday Week 6 |
Task 4 Essay | 40% | No | Wednesday Week 13 |
Due: Weeks 2-11
Weighting: 20%
Regular, active contributions to online discussion boards.
Participation will be assessed by the following criteria: quality of your posts in discussion forums and their timeliness (you should post within a week of the topic). Quality is not just measured by the philosophical content of your posts, but by your willingness to engage in discussion with your peers. Much of what you learn in philosophy you will learn by involving yourself in discussion and argument. So while we would like to see some well thought out responses to the topics for each week and to the questions posed, we would also really encourage you to respond to the messages of other students, ask questions, post your thoughts and engage fully in the philosophical community.
Due: Weeks 3-12
Weighting: 20%
A weekly online quiz on the topic covered that week. There are 10 quizzes in total. Note: Each individual quiz is only available for 2 weeks.
With this task you will be assessed on your understanding of the material as demonstrated by the correct selection of answers in a multiple choice quiz.
Due: Sunday Week 6
Weighting: 20%
Reflection on happiness. Reflective exercise on what you have learned from part one of the unit. Length: 700 words.
This task will be assessed by the following criteria: content, structure, argument, critical analysis, reflective insights and written expression. A detailed rubric for this task will be supplied on iLearn.
Due: Wednesday Week 13
Weighting: 40%
A critical discussion of a set question from parts 2 or 3 of the unit. Here you show us the critical questioning and philosophical knowledge you've learned over the unit. Length: 1500 words.
This task will be assessed by the following criteria: content, structure, argument and critical analysis, written expression and referencing. A detailed rubric for this task will be supplied on iLearn.
Readings:
All required readings are available through the iLearn site. Additional readings can be found by using the Macquarie University Library's MultiSearch function. Go to the library site (http://www.mq.edu.au/about/campus-services-and-facilities/library) then select 'Unit Readings' and enter the course code 'PHIX132'.
A guide to studying philosophy is recommended (but not essential) for those interested in pursuing philosophy in-depth, and is available in the library
Technologies used:
Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
Written assessments will be submitted on iLearn using Turnitin, a plagiarism scanning program.
Schedule – PHIX132 Happiness, Goodness, and Justice
The unit will introduce philosophy under three big ideas: Living a life of happiness, justifying what goodness is, and some burning issues of justice.
Lecturers: NS: Nicholas Smith ML: Mianna Lotz PF: Paul Formosa
Week Topic
1. What is moral philosophy? (NS)
Part 1: Happiness (NS)
2. “The good life is the life of pleasure” – Epicurean ethics
3. Living according to nature – Stoic ethics
4. Happiness and character – Aristotelian ethics
Part 2: Goodness (NS (wk 5) & ML)
5. Morality and religion
6. The challenge of moral relativism
7. Egoism and self-interest
MID SEMESTER BREAK - 2 WEEKS
8. The moral law is universal! – Kant’s challenge
9. The greatest good for the greatest number – Utilitarianism
Part 3: Justice (PF)
10. Justice and inequality – is global poverty justifiable?
11. Immigration and refugees – can we keep them out?
12. Climate change and justice – who should pay to fix it?
13: Revision - No lecture
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.
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:
Outcome
Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.
You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.
If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.
If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.
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 graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
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As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
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From 2017 the Reflective exercise has changed to a single piece of written work focused on part 1 of the unit (on happiness). It now contributes 10% less to the final grade, while the participation / engagement and quizzes each contribute 5% more. The order of some of the topics has changed.