PHIL2688: Semester 1, 2026

Units PHIL2688 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

PHIL2688: Knowledge and Belief

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This is a unit in epistemology, the branch of philosophy concerned with understanding knowledge and rational belief. In this unit, we will ask questions such as: What are knowledge and rational belief? How much do we know and how often are we rational? Are there sources of knowledge other than sensory experience? What value do knowledge and rationality have? We will address these questions by studying contemporary and historical texts on topics such as scepticism, justification, pragmatism, internalism and externalism, the a priori and the a posteriori, and induction. We will also consider how epistemology overlaps with issues in moral and political philosophy and the philosophy of science.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Philosophy
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in Philosophy
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PHIL2606
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Nicholas Smith, nicholas.smith@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Exam Formal Exam	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Quiz Early Feedback Quiz x 1, Due: Friday 27th February	0%	Week 01 Due date: 27 Feb 2026 at 23:59	60 min	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Essay Essay x 1, Due: April 17th (Week 7)	35%	Week 07 Due date: 17 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 17 May 2026	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Weekly Quizzes Weekly Quizzes x 10, Held during tutorials, closed book, no devices	20%	Weekly	10 x 100 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Early Feedback Quiz x 1, Due: End of Week 1, Weighting: 0%

Tutorial Quizzes x 10, Weekly tutorial quizzes, closed book, no devices Weighting: 20%

Essay x 1, Due: Week 7, Weighting: 35%

Formal Exam x 1, Weighting: 45%

Assessment criteria

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What is belief?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	What is belief?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Internalism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Internalism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Foundationalism/Coherentism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Foundationalism/Coherentism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Externalism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Externalism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Knowledge and justification	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Knowledge and justification	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Sceptical arguments	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Sceptical arguments	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Contextualism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Contextualism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Epistemic closure	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Epistemic closure	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Common knowledge	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Common knowledge	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	What is a degree of belief?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	What is a degree of belief?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Bayesian epistemology and probabilism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Bayesian epistemology and probabilism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Lotteries and the Lockean thesis	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Lotteries and the Lockean thesis	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Knowledge through partial belief	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Knowledge through partial belief	Tutorial (1 hr)

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.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. demonstrate understanding of key texts in epistemology
LO2. critically evaluate theories of knowledge, belief, and rationality
LO3. demonstrate skills in analysing concepts and arguments
LO4. understand how epistemological concepts and theories apply to other areas of philosophy, contemporary social and political issues, and everyday life
LO5. explain central concepts, debates, and arguments in epistemology as well as their significance

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links