Arts

HPA256

2010  HPA256  Philosophy and Cosmology

Unit Level: Intermediate

Available as a Student Elective: Yes

View timetable of lectures only for this unit.  View ALL timetable events for this unit.

See also   HPA356

OFFERINGS

Unit Sem 1 Sem 2 Full Yr Spring Summer Winter HPA256 H Key Semester Dates Semester Note Start Date Census Date Final WW Date* End Date Sem 2 12-JUL-2010 10-AUG-2010 30-AUG-2010 15-OCT-2010 *The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (see Withdrawal dates explained for more information). This unit can be taken in other courses About Census Dates

DESCRIPTION
The science of cosmology concerns the study of the origin and structure of the universe as a whole. This study leads to some profound philosophical questions. Where did the universe come from? What are laws of nature and how do they work? Does time only go in one direction? Is the universe 'fine-tuned' for life by God. Is everything just a matter of chance? What would it mean to try to explain the existence and nature of the universe anyway? This unit deals with some of these central questions in the philosophy of cosmology. The unit may examine the nature of scientific theories (such as relativity theory or quantum mechanics), physical causation, the philosophy of time, the question of design in and of the natural world, the nature of explanation, and the relation between physics and philosophy.

WEIGHT:  12.5%

ASSESSMENT: HPA256 - 3000 words internal assessment (60%) 2-hour examination (40%)
HPA356 - 3500 words internal assessment (60%) 2-hour examination (40%)

TEACHING PATTERN: 2 hrs lectures weekly, 1 tutorial fortnightly (13 wks)

FLEXIBLE & ONLINE STUDY OPTIONS
Note: Class attendance may still be required

   Web supported - H
Online access to some part of this unit online is optional
About Flexible Study Options

REQUISITE INFO

Prereq	25% level 100 any discipline
M.Excl	HPS256/356

TEXTS
Information about any textbook requirements for Semester (Sem 2) will be available from mid April 2010

STAFF: Dr R Corry

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

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