Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
We live in an age characterised as ‘post–truth', constantly inundated by advertising spin, ‘alternative facts', fake news and conspiracy theories. This unit is about how we can have knowledge, how we can have justified beliefs about the world. The unit combines the investigation of theoretical questions and problems in epistemology (the theory of knowledge) and the application of these theories to real problems about what we should believe and why.
Not everything that a person believes to be true is something that they know to be true. Under what conditions does a person's belief count as being justified? Is her possessing evidence sufficient to justify the belief? Does anyone have that much evidence about anything? Does the justification of beliefs require that there exist certain 'foundational' beliefs, that is, beliefs where its own justification does not depend upon the agent's other beliefs? If so, what sort of beliefs can be foundational in this sense? Are there 'truths of reason' that are independent of observation that are foundational? What is the status of testimony? Why should someone telling us something justify us in believing it? How can studying epistemology help us sort out the global warming debate? What can it tell us about conspiracy theories, etc. Students in this unit form a comprehensive understanding of theoretical and applied issues regarding knowledge and the justification of belief.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 option in the Philosophy; Philosophy, Politics and Economics major sequences
- Level 2 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) locate global epistemological issues in their historical and cultural context; (2) independently interpret philosophical texts; (3) evaluate philosophical positions, including identifying counter-examples and identifying and questioning their basic assumptions; (4) compare and contrast philosophical positions; (5) construct persuasive arguments; (6) demonstrate strong written communication and research skills; (7) gain knowledge about arguments in favor of, and in opposition to, theories in epistemology; (8) understand about influential philosophical views concerning knowledge and the justification of belief; and (9) reason in a constructive and cooperative way about some of the most polarising applied global issues in knowledge and the justification of belief, including climate change and conspiracy theories.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) essays; (2) examination; and (3) participation. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Michael Rubin
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- any Level 1 unit
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 x 1 hour per week
tutorials: 1 x 1 hour per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.