Offered By	ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Academic Contact	Dr Fiona Jenkins
Areas of Interest	Philosophy

Philosophy is an investigation into fundamental matters of human concern. It is at the same time an investigation into problems basic to all the various special disciplines pursued in a university. It is not normally taught outside universities, and for this reason there are no special prerequisites for admission to a philosophy course.

For students in their first year there are, instead, three non-technical introductory semester courses. These courses, Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy PHIL1004, Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning PHIL1005, and Philosophy, Society and Humanity PHIL1007, are designed to be of use both to students who intend to specialise in philosophy and to students who intend to take only one or two courses in the subject. Teaching in these courses is fairly flexible. It consists of general lectures, with tutorials, on the history and problems of philosophy. The options cover in an introductory way a number of traditionally distinct fields of philosophical inquiry, such as ethics, political philosophy, logic, theory of knowledge, philosophy of mind and philosophy of religion. Some of the options are designed to throw light on topical problems, or on studies pursued in other parts of the university. The introductory courses in philosophy are thus appropriate and recommended for students of all faculties.

In addition to the philosophy major there are a number of other majors that include philosophy courses. They are Contemporary Europe, Gender, Sexuality and Culture, Religious Studies, and English.

Requirements

A major in Philosophy consists of at least 42 units chosen from the courses offered by the discipline. Study at first-year level consists of a maximum of 12 units (2 courses) a minimum of 30 units (5 courses) at later year level.

All courses are offered subject to staff availability and sufficient enrolments.

Science students
Students enrolled for the degree of Bachelor of Science may count the following as Group B courses: Logic PHIL2080, Philosophy of Science PHIL2057, Sex and Death: Philosophy of Psychology PHIL2061 and Philosophy of Biology PHIL2082.

Students are required to submit written work by the due dates, to attend all lectures, workshops and tutorial classes, and to present any prescribed tutorial exercises. Students are expected to possess copies of the prescribed texts.

Assessment

Unless otherwise specified under the particular course, assessment will be based on essays, other written work and contributions to tutorials. In some courses, formal examinations form part of students' assessment. For each course, details concerning forms, weights and options of work to be assessed are proposed on the course Web CT page and decided upon after consultation with the class.

Eligibility for assessment: In each course, completion of prescribed written work and participation in classes is a condition, which, if unfulfilled, will render a student ineligible for assessment. The policy in this regard is further explained on the in the course guides on the different courses Web CT pages.

For information on Honours in Philosophy click here.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.