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Knowledge and Reality - PHIL1007
PhilosophySpec1

 
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of History and Philosophy
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

An introduction to some classical and contemporary philosophical questions, puzzles, and ideas about knowledge and reality. This is a course in two central areas of philosophy - epistemology and metaphysics. Philosophers could include Plato, Descartes, Berkeley, and Hume, along with many contemporary philosophers. Topics may include: (1) Metaphysics: personal identity, free will, good and evil, universals, essences, meaning of life, death; (2) Epistemology: fallibility, truth, evidence, knowledge, empiricism, causation, rationalism, knowledge of other minds, knowledge of the external world, idealism, moral knowledge.


Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to exhibit:
  • Awareness of some historically important, and some significant contemporary, philosophical ideas about the underlying nature of knowledge
  • Awareness of some historically important, and some significant contemporary, philosophical ideas about the ultimate nature of reality
  • Some facility in formulating, analysing, and responding critically to central philosophical ideas.

Assessment

  • Short essay (1000 words) - 20%
  • Long essay (1500 words) - 30%
  • Multiple choice exam - 40%
  • Tutorial participation - 10%

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.