RELIGION DEPARTMENT
IONA CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
Course Code: HZT 4U1
Course Name: Philosophy: Questions and Theories, University, Grade 12
Instructor:
Period:
Room Number:
Description/Rationale
This course addresses three (or more) of the main areas of philosophy: metaphysics, logic, epistemology,
ethics, social and political philosophy, and aesthetics. Students will learn critical-thinking skills, the main ideas
Strands of Study and Overall Expectations include:
expressed by philosophers from a variety of the world’s traditions, 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.
Strands of Study and Overall Expectations include:
I. Metaphysics:
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summarize the main questions, concepts, and theories of metaphysics
demonstrate the relevance of metaphysical questions and theories to everyday life
demonstrate an understanding of some of the main questions in metaphysics
II. Epistemology:
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identify the main questions, concepts and theories of epistemology
evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the responses given by some of the major
philosophers and major schools of epistemology to some of the main epistemological questions
formulate their own ideas about some of the main questions of epistemology, and explain and
defend those ideas in philosophical exchanges with others
III. Ethics:
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demonstrate an understanding of the main questions, concepts and theories of ethics
illustrate the relevance of philosophical theories of ethics to concrete moral problems in everyday
life
IV. Research and Inquiry Skills:
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identify the main areas of philosophy and analyse philosophical arguments within them
effectively use a variety of print and electronic sources and telecommunications tools in research
effectively communicate the results of their inquiries
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order to ensure these
expectations are being met.
Course Breakdown
UNITS OF STUDY:
1. Introduction to Philosophy
TEXTS AND RESOURCES:
Philosophy: AText with
Readings
2. Metaphysics
Resources:
The course will use a variety of resources including
video, CD-ROM, Internet Applications and a variety of
print sources. The textbook 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. Any damage incurred will
result in payment for replacement. Replacement cost
for the text will be posted in the classroom.
Evaluation Structure:
Knowledge/Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
3. Epistemology
4. Ethics
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%
5. Research and Inquiry Skills
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.
Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for
specific skills and key words used to determine student competency in the different categories.
Category
Knowledge/Understanding:

Knowledge of facts & terms
 Understanding of concepts &
relationships
Thinking:

Critical thinking skills

Creative thinking skills
 Inquiry Skills
Communication:

Communication of ideas and information

Use of symbols & visuals
 Oral & written communication
Application:
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Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
50-59%
60-69%
70-79%
80-100%
Limited display of:
Some success in:
-knowledge and
understanding
-knowledge and
understanding
-critical and creative
thinking skills and/or
processes
-critical and creative
thinking skills and/or
processes
-conveying of meaning
through various forms
-conveying of meaning
through various forms
-knowledge and skills
to make connections
between various
contexts
-knowledge and skills to
make connections
between various contexts
Considerable display
of:
-knowledge and
understanding
Thorough understanding of:
-knowledge and understanding
-critical and creative thinking
skills and/or processes
-critical and creative
thinking skills and/or
processes
-conveying of meaning through
various forms
-conveying of meaning
through various forms
-knowledge and skills to make
connections between various
contexts
-knowledge and skills
to make connections
between various
contexts
Applications in familiar contexts
Transfer of concepts to new contexts
Making logical conclusions and
predictions
Use of technology
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
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
Other Evaluation Issues
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LATE ASSIGNMENTS The due dates for major assignments will be clearly articulated by the teacher when the task is assigned. The teacher will establish a
deadline and an acceptance period of 1 school day following the deadline. The teacher will also allow for submission of assignments before the deadlines of the
acceptance period for the purpose of assistance in revising. If a student does not hand in the assignment by the deadline, a mark reduction will be applied to the
assignment submitted thereafter up to a total of 10%. If the assignment is not submitted by the end of the acceptance period the student will receive a mark of
zero. Refer to the Student Handbook for further details.
INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established in the rubric or
evaluation structure.
MISSED TESTS. Teachers will give the class ample notice for up-coming tests/evaluations. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for an
alternative assessment date (which may not be during class time) with the teacher before the scheduled time for the test/evaluation. If a test is missed due to a
legitimate reason, verification (note only to be handed in on the day of the student’s return) from a parent/guardian must be given to the subject teacher
indicating that the parents are aware the student has missed a test. If a test is missed as a result of truancy, a mark of zero will be assigned with no
opportunity for a re-write.
PLAGIARISM in any form reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark of zero for the assignment in question. Refer to the Student Handbook for
further details.
ATTENDANCE It is the responsibility of each student to be punctual and in attendance, with proper materials, at all classes and scheduled activities. Students
who miss classes may put their credit in jeopardy. It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on missed work when absent.