Course Syllabus

Click on each image below to go to the detailed Units.

These units will include all the input material and formative tasks that you will need for successful completion of the final summative tasks.

An Introduction to Philosophy 

What is Philosophy all about ? This introductory unit will explore the nature of philosophical
enquiry and how it differs from other human pursuits.
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An Introduction to Metaphysics, Epistemology and Ethics

This unit will introduce you to the three key philosophical study areas of the nature of reality,
the nature of knowledge, and the nature of 'right' action. Each area will be introduced with
key concepts and interconnections.
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Argument Analysis Unit 1 - Argument by Analogy

Philosophical inquiry revolves around the ability to think clearly. Being able to identify, analyse and evaluate arguments in their various forms, are crucial tools of the trade for any philosopher.
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Metaphysics in Depth:  Reason and the Existence of God

Belief in God or a supreme being can be found throughout history and in many cultures. People’s belief in the existence of God is mainly a matter of faith. However, some philosophers have attempted to demonstrate God’s existence through rational argument.

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 Epistemology in Depth - Ways of Knowing

What is the truth? How do we know anything? What are the problems of perception? In what ways do Western and Eastern cultures both
perceive and explain reality differently? These questions and more will
be teased out in this fascinating unit.
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Ethics in Depth -   Moral Theories 

    What do you base your ethical decisions on? What do and have others based
theirs on? Can we ever make purely rational ethical decisions or are we
doomed to a world of complete ethical relativity?
This unit explores a number of key ethical theories such as Virtue Ethics,
the Categorical Imperative and Utilitariansim, and shows how these can be linked
to particular and individual ethical decisions.
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Ethics in Depth - Moral Obligations to the future and Environment

A major ethical dilemma that humans face is how much individuals and societies owe to the future and to the environment. The Climate Change debate, for instance, encounters both problems and will be examined in some detail as a topical and controversial example
of human morality in action. Learn more......

 Issues Study - How to do it well

The culmination of your Stage 2 Philosophy course will be a free choice Issue Study.
This unit will give you plenty of options for the study, advice from examiners and past students
as well as help in researching and preparing your final Study.
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Argument Analysis Unit 2 - Analysing Peter Singer's work

Following from earlier work on ethical theory, we will apply our understanding of argument to analyse an article from Peter Singer. Learn more......