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Unit of study_

PHIL2619: Philosophy of Mathematics

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit focuses on contemporary problems in philosophy of mathematics. Perhaps the most fundamental of these problems is that of determining the subject matter of mathematics. Is mathematical knowledge just logical knowledge, abstract knowledge of the empirical world, or something else? And how do we come by mathematical knowledge? Other topics include, the significance of mathematical results about the limits of mathematics (such as Godel's incompleteness theorems), the nature of infinity, and the relationship between pure mathematics and empirical science.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHIL2619
Academic unit Philosophy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
PHIL3219 or PHIL2219
Prerequisites
? 
12 junior credit points in Philosophy or 12 junior credit points in Mathematics
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mark Colyvan, mark.colyvan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Mark Colyvan, mark.colyvan@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Nathaniel Gan, nathaniel.gan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation
10% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Assignment
30% Week 05
Due date: 23 Mar 2020 at 17:00

Closing date: 30 Mar 2020
1,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Essay
60% Week 13
Due date: 25 May 2020 at 17:00

Closing date: 08 Jun 2020
2,000–3,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

  • Attend lectures; attend and participate in tutorials, having done the required reading
  • complete assignment, consisting of short-answer questions
  • write final essay, showing evidence of mastery of one of the topics covered in the unit

Assessment criteria

See grade descriptions at:

 

https://sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.html

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Work not submitted on or before the due date is subject to a penalty of 5% per calendar day late. Work will not be accepted for any reason after marked assignments are returned (1 week after due date).

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at both lectures and tutorials is compulsory.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The textbook for this unit is:

Colyvan, M. 2012, An Introduction to the Philosphy of Mathematics, Cambridge: Cambridge Univerity Press.

You will need to have access to a copy of this book. Additional weekly tutorial readings will be announced on the unit’s Canvas site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Capacity to form and assess arguments. This means not just reporting what famous philosophers have thought, but developing a considered opinion as to whether they are right, and back that opinion up with solid argumentation
  • LO2. Critical and enquiring attitude to philosophical issues.
  • LO3. Ability to read and comprehend advanced philosophical research work relating to mathematics.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit is regularly updated based on student feedback and to accommodate recent developments in the philosophy of mathematics.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.