Reason in Action: Politics, Science, and Society
UndergraduateTAS-HPH1102027
Course information for 2027 intake
Philosophy offers tools for examining current issues in politics, science and society. Work through topics such as climate, AI and social justice. Build argument-analysis skills. Communicate your reasoning clearly.
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 14 Feb 2027
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 22 Feb 2027
- Price from
- $2,328
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Reason in Action: Politics, Science, and Society
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Recognise and describe key philosophical concepts related to politics, science, and society.
- Analyse and evaluate basic philosophical arguments in contemporary debates.
- Express philosophical ideas in written and spoken formats.
- Engage in respectful dialogue with a range of viewpoints
- Why do Philosophy?
- Reason and Reasoning
- Module 1: The Right to Free Speech: Does It Have Limits?
- The right to free speech and the risks of censorship
- Is free speech sometimes a bad thing?
- Censorship versus free speech: striking a balance
- Module 2: What ought to be sustained, how and why?
- What ought to be sustained within the human realm, how and why?
- What ought to be sustained beyond the human realm, how and why?
- Module 3: Living Systems vs. Artificial Systems
- Are humans animals?
- Artificial Intelligence – Hype versus Reality
- The more-than-human world
- The Limitations of Reason and Reason’s Others
Life is filled with philosophical questions, but we rarely get the chance to slow down and think them through. This subject gives you that opportunity. In this introductory subject, you will take a philosophical lens to examine contemporary issues in politics, science, and society. You may explore topics such as climate change, the status of scientific knowledge, what a ‘just’ society looks like, and the impact on society of AI and social media. These real-world challenges will serve as entry points into key philosophical concepts, principles, and methods relating to sub disciplines such as social and political philosophy and the philosophy of science .
Philosophy is not just something you learn—it’s something you do. In this subject, you will develop foundational skills in critical reflection, argument analysis, and clear communication. You will learn to ask thoughtful questions, evaluate competing perspectives, and articulate ethically informed positions. No prior experience in philosophy is required.
- Reflection (15%)
- Take-Home Exam (30%)
- Essay (35%)
- Participation (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangements: Recorded lectures- 1 hour per week; Cross-campus synchronous seminar with ALL students- 1 hour per week; Online asynchronous discussion: 1 hour per week.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
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