UNSW Handbook Course - Introduction to European Philosophy

Introduction to European Philosophy - PHIL1014


	Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
	School: School of Philosophy
	Contact: Lumsden,Simon
	Campus: Kensington Campus
	Career: Undergraduate
	Units of Credit: 6
	EFTSL: 0.125 (more info)
	Contact Hours per Week: 3
	Session Offered: See Class Timetable
	Fee Band: 1 (more info)

Description

Provides a broad introduction to themes in European Philosophy, such as: the character of human subjectivity, rationality (and its limits), alienation, progress, history, freedom and how to understand meaning and morality with the waning of religious authority. Focuses on the legacy of the Enlightenment (Rousseau, Kant), the principal critics of this tradition (Hegel, Marx and Nietzsche), the emergence of existential and phenomenological themes in the work of thinkers such as Heidegger; some of the influential sources of contemporary theory such as the Frankfurt School and Hannah Arendt, and postmodern thinkers such as Foucault.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course you should be able to:

Describe the thought of a number of key thinkers in the Western modern tradition
Critically reflect on the various strengths and weaknesses of each theory and develop an appreciation of how each addresses the central theme of the course
Apply aspects of these theories to contemporary life
Display skills associated with scholarly inquiry in the discipline of philosophy, particularly information literacy and critical analysis skills.

Assessment

Research portfolio - (35%)
Essay (1500 words) - (35%)
Participation - (10%)
In-class test - (20%)

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