Stage 2 Philosophy
Length of Course
Level
Learning Area
Core or Specialist
Pre-requisites
Stage 1 Philosophy
Subject Description
This subject involves the rational investigation of questions about existence, knowledge and ethics, to which there are no simple answers. Investigation of these problems through the study of Philosophy requires skills of critical reasoning, developed through an understanding of reasoning and the foundations of argument analysis.
This course consists of two sections:
1. Philosophical Inquiry Skills
- Reasoning, critical analysis, problem-solving, and evaluation of arguments
2. Key areas of Philosophical Study
- Ethics, the study of moral behaviour.
- Epistemology, the study of knowledge and how we come to it.
- Metaphysics, the study of the fundamental nature of reality.
- Logic, a study of the principles of reason.
Philosophy promotes respect for intellectual integrity as a human value and develops students’ skills to engage in philosophical argument.
Students build their capacity to be creative and independent critical thinkers who can articulate and justify philosophical positions and argue reasoned action.
School Assessment
Assessment Type 1: Argument Analysis (25%)
• Students undertake two argument analysis assessments
Assessment Type 2: Issues Analysis (45%)
• Students undertake three issues analysis assessments – one for each key area
External Assessment.
Assessment Type 3: Issues Study (30%)
• Students undertake one issues study