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/pubs/2009handbooks/aos/arts-ug-study-philosophy.html
Philosophy - Faculty of ArtsOffered by the School of Philosophy and BioethicsCampus availability: Caulfield, Clayton, Gippsland, Off-campus learningRelevant courses
Philosophy is the study of fundamental ideas about the world we live in. It questions the nature of our world, asks what would constitute a good life in such a world, and asks what could be done to make it better. Students are not expected to be persuaded by the doctrines of any one school or tradition. Rather, we seek to deepen the understanding of a variety of different world views. Students are encouraged to express any conclusions they themselves may have reached concerning foundational questions, but they are also expected to try to understand some of the influential conclusions others have reached. Furthermore, it is essential that students try to understand what reasons people have had for reaching those conclusions. Thus, we strongly encourage students to study the theory of reasoning (logic) if they intend to major in philosophy. The following are some other areas of study that are central to philosophy:
Every human inquiry rests on general assumptions, which we take for granted while we pursue more particular goals. At times however, in any discipline, foundational questions arise. Anyone facing such questions, in any discipline, is studying philosophy. Thus, for any discipline, there is an area of study appropriately described as the philosophy of that discipline, for example the philosophy of history, of psychology, of biology, of science, of law, of mathematics, and so on. Sometimes these foundational questions within a discipline can profitably be explored by philosophers as well as by specialists in that discipline. Philosophers can draw connections between the foundational problems arising in one discipline and those arising in other disciplines. They can also attempt to integrate different disciplines, at a foundational level, into a coherent overall world view. Because the focus of philosophical concerns varies enormously, we provide a wide range of options for study while at the same time attempting to ensure that students have some acquaintance with the central problems and traditions in philosophy. Philosophy provides skills in reasoning and argument that are applicable in a wide variety of professions as well as the opportunity to engage in a reflective appraisal of our place in the universe. Resource-based teaching and the philosophy flexible delivery programSufficient philosophy units are offered in flexible mode to complete a major. All these units can be taken in any semester and are flexibly scheduled so that class commitments are kept to a minimum. Flexible learning mode units are also available in the summer and in off-campus learning mode. These units use materials prepared specifically for off-campus students, but there is also a tutorial support service operating by telephone, fax and email. These basic resources are usually supplemented by workshops. Attendance at these workshops is optional. The intention is that the flexible learning program should make philosophy units available to students whose work or other commitments make it difficult for them to attend regular classes on-campus. Closely associated with resource-based teaching is an alternative assessment program. The Keller Plan is used in most of these units. In the plan, a series of assessment tasks are completed in a specified order. Typically, the series involves short exercises, an essay and tests. Each task has to be completed at a satisfactory standard before moving on to the next, but students nominate the standard to count as satisfactory (pass, credit or distinction) and can retry on any task until that standard is achieved. PrerequisitesA first-year sequence in philosophy is the normal prerequisite for later-year philosophy units. However, some later-year units have only one philosophy unit as a prerequisite, and some others have no philosophy prerequisite at all. SequencesFirst-year sequenceA first year sequence in philosophy consists of any two of PHL1010, PHL1020, PHL1030, PHL1080, PHL1140, CHB1010 AND CHB1020. NOTE: The following prohibition applies - students may not take PHL1010 without special permission from the philosophy undergraduate coordinator if they have taken PHL1070. Similarly, students may not take PHL1020 without special permission from the Philosophy Undergraduate Coordinator if they have completed PHL1080. Please email the coordinator with any queries at PhilBio.UGCoordinator@arts.monash.edu.au. Minor sequenceA minor sequence in philosophy comprises a first-year sequence followed by second-year units to the value of 12 points chosen from the units listed below. Students who complete a first-year sequence in Bioethics may count CHB1010 and CHB1020 as a first-year sequence for the purposes of a minor in philosophy. NOTE: In special circumstances, a minor sequence may be completed without including a first-year sequence. In such cases, second and third-year-level units to the value of at least 24 points must be completed, including at least 12 points of third-year-level units. Students may choose a general Philosophy minor or specialise in one of the three Philosophy of religion
Logic
History of philosophy
Major sequenceStudents complete a standard major chosen from the units listed below. Students who complete a first-year sequence in Bioethics may count CHB1010 and CHB1020 as a first-year sequence for the purposes of a major in philosophy. UnitsFirst-year levelClayton
CaulfieldGippslandOff-campus learning Second/Third-year levelThe normal prerequisite for each second-year unit is a first-year sequence in philosophy. The normal prerequisite for a third-year-level unit is a first-year level sequence in philosophy and any two second-year level units. In special circumstances, these requirements may be waived. However, some later-year units have only one philosophy unit as a prerequisite, and some others have no philosophy prerequisite at all. Clayton
Caulfield
Students can also complete a philosophy sequence either by taking some subjects in off-campus learning mode or by attending classes at Clayton. GippslandStudents can complete a philosophy sequence either by taking some subjects in off-campus learning mode, or if feasible, by attending classes at Clayton. Off-campus learning
ContactsGeneral enquiriesEmail: PhilBio.UGCoordinator@arts.monash.edu.au Honours enquiriesHonours Coordinator - Dirk.Baltzly@arts.monash.edu.au Off-campus learning enquiriesEmail: philbio.flex@arts.monash.edu.auTelephone: +61 3 9905 3222 Enquiries: Room W905, West Wing, Menzies Building, Clayton Campus Visit: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/philosophy/ugrad/ocl |
