Philosophy - PHILE13961
Stream Summary
Faculty: ARTSC - Faculty of Arts&Social Science
School: School of Humanities and Languages
Contact: hal@unsw.edu.au
Program: 3961 - Engineering (Honours) / Arts
Award(s):
Bachelor of Arts (Major)
View stream information for previous years
Stream Outline
THIS STREAM IS FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING FROM 2016.
Philosophy raises questions about all aspects of human life and the world and investigates them systematically. The major 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 your 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 major stream provides courses and progression in three areas: ‘Epistemology and Metaphysics’, ‘Moral, Social, and Political Philosophy’, and ‘Philosophical Traditions’.
Philosophy raises questions about all aspects of human life and the world and investigates them systematically. The major 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 your 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 major stream provides courses and progression in three areas: ‘Epistemology and Metaphysics’, ‘Moral, Social, and Political Philosophy’, and ‘Philosophical Traditions’.
Stream Learning Outcomes
You should achieve the following learning outcomes upon the successful completion of the stream:
- Articulate ideas, arguments, philosophical points of view and intellectual traditions in a range of areas including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and social and political philosophy
- Identify different methods of persuasion and justification, and explain their roles in philosophical arguments and contributions to knowledge
- Explain the relevance of philosophical questions to areas of inquiry in a range of disciplines
Stream Structure
If you wish to gain a major stream in Philosophy you must complete 60 units of credit including 12 UOC at Level 1, 24 UOC at Level 2, and 24 UOC at Level 3 including the core course.
Level 1
You must complete the following Level 1 core courses:
Students taking the Philosophy major stream are encouraged to take the following course as a UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Elective or Free Elective:
- ARTS1362 Critical Thinking (6 UOC)
Level 2
You must complete 24 UOC at Level 2:
- ARTS2301 Computers, Brains & Minds (6 UOC)
- ARTS2360 Truth and Belief (6 UOC)
- ARTS2361 Philosophy of Mind (6 UOC)
- ARTS2362 Freedom, Alienation, Modernity (6 UOC)
- ARTS2363 Chinese Philosophy (6 UOC)
- ARTS2367 Aesthetics (6 UOC)
- ARTS2372 Philosophy and Social Critique (6 UOC)
- ARTS2374 Ways of Reasoning (6 UOC)
- ARTS2375 Philosophical Logic (6 UOC)
- ARTS2376 Nietzsche and Philosophy (6 UOC)
- ARTS2383 Ethics: Theory and Practice (6 UOC)
- ARTS2384 Political Philosophy (6 UOC)
The following courses from other subject areas can also be counted towards the Philosophy major stream:
- ARTS2244 Rethinking Wildlife (6 UOC)
- ARTS2910 Philosophy and the Body (6 UOC)
- SAHT2641 Modern Aesthetics (6 UOC)
Level 3
You must complete 24 UOC at Level 3 including the Level 3 core course:
- ARTS3360 Philosophy Capstone (6 UOC)
And 18 UOC from the following:
- ARTS3366 Advanced Moral Theory (6 UOC)
- ARTS3368 Social & Political Philosophy (6 UOC)
- ARTS3370 Mind and Cognition (6 UOC)
- ARTS3372 Contemporary Metaphysics (6 UOC)
- ARTS3373 Contemporary Epistemology (6 UOC)
- ARTS3374 Heidegger and Metaphysics (6 UOC)
- ARTS3375 Hegel (6 UOC)
The following courses from other subject areas can also be counted towards the Philosophy major stream:
- ARTS3787 European Modernity (6 UOC)
- ARTS3901 Race and Gender (6 UOC)
Bachelor of Psychological Science program 3435 and BA Complementary Major in Philosophy
If you are a Bachelor of Psychological Science student, you only need to complete 54 UOC of Philosophy courses consisting of 12 UOC at Level 1, 24 UOC at Level 2 and 18 UOC at Level 3 including the core course. You must then take PSYC3211 Cognitive Science, which will double-count towards your Philosophy as well as Psychology majors.
