Enrolments for 2021 have closed.
Knowledge, Language and Power
Undergraduate | MAQ-PHIX2056 | 2021
Course information for 2021 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 18 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Knowledge, Language and Power
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to
- apply understanding developed through course material and readings to explain key problems in Epistemology and responses to them.
- apply skills in critical analysis and reflection to respond to the problems and theories introduced in the unit.
- clearly communicate your own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
- contribute to the learning of the group by engaging constructively in philosophical discussion and activities.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
What is knowledge? Why is it valuable? And to what extent is our knowledge of the world affected by social position, power and language? In this unit, we will explore traditional and contemporary approaches to epistemological questions about what we can know, what we should believe, and whom and what we should trust. Can we trust our individual senses or reflection to provide knowledge of the world, or is knowledge inherently social? When our own intuitions clash with what others say, should we trust ourselves or our community? When should we trust and defer to experts, and how can we tell who's really an expert to begin with? We will consider philosophical and practical questions about what it is to be a good or bad epistemic agent, focusing on concepts of epistemic (ir)responsibility and epistemic virtues and vices. We will also examine society-level phenomena that may undermine some people's ability to engage fully as epistemic agents, including systemic material, social, and political patterns that can manifest as epistemic injustice. Through an examination of issues including political language, propaganda and conspiracy theories, we will consider how our epistemic practices and institutions can lead to injustice or corruption, and what can we do about it.
- Refelctive writing (20%)
- Online quizzes (25%)
- Online participation (20%)
- Argumentative Essay (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
Others
Pre-requisite
40cp at 1000 level or above
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PHIL256, PHL256
NCCW (2020 and onwards)
PHIL2056 Knowledge, Language and Power
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
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