This course is an introduction to some key issues in contemporary epistemology (i.e., issues concerning the nature of knowledge and related notions like belief and justification). It will begin with an overview of analytic epistemology in the late twentieth century, before moving on to questions that have been at the forefront of the field in the last few decades. It will consider topics such as the Gettier problem, epistemic justification, self-knowledge, and social epistemology. By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of core issues in contemporary epistemology, and they will have the tools and conceptual resources to make up their own minds about those issues.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand and articulate core issues in contemporary epistemology;
- assess the merits of different epistemological positions and arguments;
- defend their own epistemological positions, in written form, using rationally persuasive argumentation; and
- engage in productive, well-reasoned discussion of the course material.
Indicative Assessment
- Essay 1 (1000 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Essay 2 (1500 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- Take-home exam (short-answer questions) (40) [LO 1,2]
- Tutorial participation (10) [LO 1,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures, and 12 hours of tutorials; and, b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
All relevant course materials will be made available on wattle
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $5280 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
