Glossary

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Philosophy - PHILA23704

Stream Summary

Faculty: ARTSC - Faculty of Arts&Social Science

School: School of Humanities

Contact: humanities@unsw.edu.au

Program: 3704 - Engineering / Arts

Award(s):

Bachelor of Arts (Minor)

Information valid for students commencing 2013.
Students who commenced prior to 2013 should go to the Handbook's Previous Editions

Stream Outline

Philosophy is different from other disciplines in that it raises questions about all aspects of human life and the world and investigates them systematically. The minor stream in Philosophy focuses on interpretation of texts, balanced exposition and examination of issues, criticism of doctrines and beliefs commonly taken for granted, and construction and appraisal of arguments. The Philosophy curriculum seeks progressively to develop students’ skills in critical thinking and analysis, effective communication and persuasion in subject matter covered in the humanities and beyond. It also emphasises the intrinsic value of philosophy and philosophical thinking and analysis. The minor stream provides courses and progression in three areas, or ‘streams’: ‘Epistemology and Metaphysics’, ‘Moral, Social, and Political Philosophy’, and ‘Philosophical Traditions’.

Aims of the Minor Stream

The list of aims reflect the knowledge and understanding of philosophy and its various applications and methods, together with a profile of skills and capacities, which students should attain progressively through the period of their candidature.

Knowledge and Understanding

knowledge of the theories and arguments of some of the major philosophers, encountered in their own writings;
understanding of a number of major philosophical issues including arguments for or against proposed solutions;
grasp of some central theories and arguments in the fields of epistemology and metaphysics, moral, social and political philosophy, and philosophical traditions, broadly understood;
appreciation of the wide range of application of techniques of philosophical reasoning;
appreciation of the place of philosophy, its ideas and techniques, in contemporary debates;
appreciation of the importance of careful reading of texts and sensitivity to intellectual tradition;
appreciation of the interpretative character of knowledge claims;
appreciation of cogent arguments supported with reasons.

Skills and Capacities

ability to evaluate the success of standard arguments using a variety of techniques of formal and informal methods of reasoning as appropriate, together with an ability to recognise any relevant fallacies;
ability to recognise the presuppositions and prejudices of knowledge claims;
capacity to examine the authority of norms and values;
ability to read and interpret texts drawn from a variety of ages and/or traditions with a sensitivity to context;
ability to engage with relevant literature and independently to reflect on the quality of its arguments;
ability to evaluate the relevance and quality of sources of information in relation to particular arguments;
ability to formulate a coherent argument using a range of argumentative methods and reasoning strategies;
capacity for a balanced and reasoned approach to contemporary issues and problems.

Stream Structure

A student who wishes to gain a minor stream in Philosophy must complete 36 units of credit including 12 uoc at Level 1, at least 12 uoc at Level 2 and at least 12 uoc at Level 3.

Level 1