PHIL305-16S2 (C) Semester Two 2016

Paradoxes

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 11 July 2016
End Date: Sunday, 13 November 2016
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 24 July 2016
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 9 October 2016

Description

This course surveys a wide range of paradoxes and bizarre brain-twisters drawn from all corners of philosophy.

This course takes a tour through some of the many mind-bending paradoxes and brainteasers that philosophers have come up with over the centuries. Along the way we touch on topics drawn from epistemology, the philosophy of mind, logic, and other fields. It is a seminar course – which means that it will be based around student presentations.

Not only is philosophy one of the most interesting and challenging subjects, it teaches skills that employers want: thinking outside the box, logic, ethics, and excellent writing and communication skills. At UC you can do either a BA or a BSc in Philosophy, or combine a Philosophy major with the LLB, BCom, or another degree.

BA or BSc students who major in philosophy must normally take at least two 100-level PHIL courses, plus at least three 200-level PHIL courses (including PHIL233), plus at least 60-points from 300-level PHIL courses (including at least one course from this list: PHIL305; PHIL310; PHIL311; and PHIL317). For more information see the BA regulations and/or the BSc regulations.

Learning Outcomes

1.  Familiarity with a set of famous and important philosophical paradoxes.

2.  An understanding of fundamental issues and concepts in epistemology, metaphysics, probability theory, and the philosophy of mind.

3.  Experience in designing and delivering a verbal presentation.

4.  An ability to write a short essay that explains key philosophical positions in a given area, summarizes the principal arguments for and against each position, and defends one position against its rivals.

Prerequisites

Any 15 points at 200 level in Philosophy or Mathematics or Computer Science courses as approved by the Head of Department.

Restrictions

PHIL315, PHIL444

Course Coordinator

Jack Copeland

Contact Jack for further information.

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Attendance 5% Term Three
Participation 10% Term Three presentation and participation
Essay 1 35% Term Three
Essay 2 35% Term Four
Attendance 5% Term Four
Participation 10% Term Four presentation and participation

Course links

Library portal
Philosophy Essay Writing Guide (available to all enrolled Philosophy students)

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,435.00

International fee $5,825.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Humanities .

All PHIL305 Occurrences

  • PHIL305-16S2 (C) Semester Two 2016
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