This course will introduce students to the practice of thinking philosophically, by encouraging the development of critical reasoning skills and exploring issues pertaining to the nature and acquisition of knowledge. Students will apply their critical skills to issues of current interest and importance within society today.

One-hour lectures on Mondays and Tuesdays at either 10am or 2pm over 9 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

Alternating One Hours-Lecture and Two-hour "Collaborative Classes" which blend lecture/seminar elements, either on Wednesdays at 2pm or Thursdays at 9am over 9 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

DUMF1014, PHIL1001

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Essay (1,500 words) - 40%

■ 10x multiple choice quizzes -10%

■ Written Exam (90 minutes) - 50%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

■ There is no alternative to the class test, but extra time/alternative space can be offered as reasonable adjustment.

■ There is no alternative to the exam, but extra time/alternative space can be offered as reasonable adjustment.

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ Introduce students to core reasoning skills.

■ Allow students to develop analytical thinking skills via (a) the identification and clarification of conceptual relationships and (b) the identification and evaluation of assumptions and arguments.

■ Develop students' skills of interpretation, criticism, clarity, relevance, concise expression and sound argumentation.

■ Apply reasoning skills to important issues in today's world.

■ Engage with wider philosophical issues relating to the nature, possibility and scope of knowledge.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain and apply the concepts of logical structure, premise, conclusion, deductive validity, soundness, and other concepts central to logical argumentation.

■ Explain the value of critical thinking and argument analysis; identify and reconstruct arguments drawn from a variety of sources.

■ Identify and explain key rhetorical ploys and fallacies.

■ Apply critical and analytical skills to issues of current philosophical importance.

■ Analyse and critically evaluate theories and arguments from other areas of philosophy using reasoning skills acquired on this course.

■ Explain and evaluate competing theories on the nature and acquisition of knowledge.