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Unit of study_

PHIL3686: Core Issues in Practical Philosophy

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit addresses key questions in practical philosophy via three connected modules. In the first we consider the nature of values, whether and how we can acquire moral and aesthetic knowledge, and how this knowledge relates to human flourishing. In the second module we ask what makes an issue political, and consider the relationship between the political and the ethical. In the third we engage with normative issues that arise when studying the history of philosophy, such as how we can assess historical worldviews that differ greatly from our own, and how we should determine which historical figures are centrally important to the discipline.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHIL3686
Academic unit Philosophy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in Philosophy
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ryan Cox, ryan.cox@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final Essay
A 3000wd paper on a topic from any of the three modules.
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 17 Nov 2023 at 23:59
3000wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation Tutorial Participation
Tutorial participation.
10% Ongoing Ongoing.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment 1st Short Paper (Module 1)
A short (500wd) paper on a topic from Module 1.
10% Week 05
Due date: 01 Sep 2023 at 23:59
500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment 2nd Short Paper (Module 2)
A short (500wd) paper on a topic from Module 2.
10% Week 10
Due date: 13 Oct 2023 at 23:59
500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment 3rd Short Paper (Module 3)
A short (500wd) paper on a topic from Module 3.
10% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2023 at 23:59
500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO3

Assessment summary

The assessment for this unit consists of 3x500wd short papers (30%), 1x3000wd final essay (60%), and tutorial participation (10%).

Assessment criteria

  • 1st Short Paper (Module 1), student will write a short paper on a topic from Module 1.
  • 2nd Short Paper (Module 2), student will write a short paper on a topic from Module 2.
  • 3rd Short Paper (Module 3), student will write a short paper on a topic from Module 3.
  • Final Essay, student will write a long paper on a topic from any of the three modules.

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.

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
Week 01 What is Political Philosophy? Political Moralism and Political Realism Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 Classical Realism and Political Realism Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 03 The Truth in Political Realism? Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 04 Against Political Realism Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 05 Conceptual Engineering Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 06 Engineering Woman Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 07 Engineering Happiness Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 08 The Pragmatics and Ethics of Conceptual Engineering Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 10 Introductory Material: cynics, skeptics, and utopians—can we put philosophy into practice, really? Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 11 Plato’s Apology - history of philosophy as a discipline, the beginnings of philosophy, and “the unexamined life is not worth living” Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 12 Nicomachean Ethics 2 - virtue ethics: habituation, knowledge, and akrasia Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 13 MacIntyre, After Virtue: the legacy is prior to the individual, the story is prior to the act Lecture (2 hr)  
Topics from previous lecture(s). 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 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. Demonstrate an understanding of the debate between moralists and realists in contemporary political philosophy.
  • LO2. Demonstrate an understanding of the debate over the nature and aims of conceptual engineering in contemporary philosophy.
  • LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between philosophy and practice in ancient philosophy.

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 is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

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

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