Religious Studies Department
St. Augustine Catholic Secondary School
Course Code: HZT 4U1Course Name: Philosophy: Questions and Theories
Level: University
Instructor:
Period:
Room Number:
Course Overview:
This course offers students the opportunity to study the philosophers that have shaped Western
civilization. Areas of study include Metaphysics, Epistemology, Logic, Human Nature, Ethics and Social
and Political Philosophy. Students will learn critical thinking skills, the main ideas expressed by
philosophers from a variety of the world’s traditions, especially Catholic philosophers, how to develop
and explain their own philosophical ideas, and how to apply those ideas to contemporary social issues
and personal experiences. The course will also help students refine skills used in researching and
investigating topics in philosophy. Students will have the opportunity to study the teachings of major
philosophers such as Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Locke, Hume, Nietzsche, Kant, Descartes, Hobbes, St.
Anselm, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Augustine. The Catholic nature of the course will be emphasized
throughout the term.
Specific Strands of Study and Expectations include:
I. Metaphysics:
 Illustrate how metaphysical theories are presupposed in other subjects
II. Logic:
 Apply logical and critical thinking skills in practical contexts, and in detecting logical fallacies
III. Epistemology:
 Demonstrate the relevance of philosophical theories of epistemology to concrete problems in everyday life
IV. Ethics:
 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of responses to ethical questions and moral problems defended
by some major philosophers and schools of philosophy, and defend their responses
V. Social and Political Philosophy
 Demonstrate an understanding of how particular philosophical theories have influenced the development
of subjects such as political science, economics or law
VI. Aesthetics
 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the responses of some of the world’s major philosophers to
some of the main questions of aesthetics making reference to classical texts

VII. Research
andmade
Inquiry
Efforts
will be
toSkills
meet the individual lea
 Demonstrate an understanding of the unique character of philosophical questions
Course Breakdown
Resources:
The textbook, Philosophy: Questions and
Theories, will be distributed to students during
the first week of the course. The text and all
other resources assigned to students are the
responsibility of the student. Replacement cost
for the text is $80.00.
Unit 1: Metaphysics
Unit 2: Logic
Unit 3: Ethics
Evaluation Structure::
Knowledge/Understanding
Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application
Unit 4: Epistemology
Unit 5: Social Philosophy
25%
25%
25%
25%
These are assessed in both term work and summative
work as follows:
TERM WORK - 70%
SUMMATIVE WORK – 30%
Culminating Task – 10%
+ Final Exam – 20%
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing
feedback will include assessing work in process & evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning
activities, simulations and presentations. Peer & self-evaluations will also be utilized. Student marks will be
determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels.
Level
Category
Knowledge/Understanding


Knowledge of facts & terms
Understanding of concepts & relationships
Thinking/Inquiry



Critical thinking skills
Creative thinking skills
Inquiry Skills
Communication



Communication of ideas and information
Use of symbols & visuals
Oral & written communication
Level 1:
50-59%
Level 2:
60-69%
Level 3:
70-79%
Level 4:
80-100%
-Limited
display of
knowledge,
skills and
ability to
apply
concepts
-Some
success in
displaying
knowledge,
skills and
application
of concepts
-Considerable
display of
knowledge
skills and
ability to apply
concepts
-Thorough
understanding
of concepts and
ability to
communicate,
think creatively
and apply
concepts
Application




Applications in familiar contexts
Transfer of concepts to new contexts
Making logical conclusions and predictions
Use of technology / Making connections
Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like working independently, team work, organization,
work habits and homework, and initiative are assessed independently student achievement and will be conducted
through the use of a rubric indicating specific criteria to be achieved to receive each of the following letter grades:
E –Excellent
G – Good
Other Evaluation Issues:
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement


LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Late Work will be accepted for up to five school days (with a penalty of
Up to 10%). However, late work will not be accepted if the teacher has already returned the corrected
assignment to the class.

STUDENT ABSENCES: Students are responsible for the completion of assignments, notes, reading and tests that
were missed during any absence. Students with verified absences (proof of reason) must write missed tests or
hand in assignments on the first day back following the absence. Unaccountable absences (ie. skips, truancy) will
result in a mark of zero for missed evaluations. In the case of a prolonged excusable absence, the assessment
date will be established at a mutually satisfactory time. The appropriate vice principal should be notified
regarding extended absences.

PLAGIARISM The submission of any ‘copied’ material, either in whole or in part, will result in the student receiving
a grade of 0% on the affected assignment. This position applies to text, electronic information and peer created
materials.