Philosophy NCEA Level 3 (2024)

Course aims / learning outcomes

• Philosophy is the subject that specializes in exploring fundamental questions about the world and our place in it. For example: What is reality? What does it mean for me to ‘know’ something? What is reasoning? What is a Mind? Does God exist? How should I live, and who should decide?
   

  Philosophical discussion draws on imaginative speculation, scientific evidence, sustained reflection on lived experience, and the different histories, cultural perspectives and texts that shape current thought.

  Philosophy at Ao Tawhiti is highly discussion based and aims to develop students’ critical thinking skills. Through a range of applied Philosophical topics, students will learn how to assess arguments for validity and soundness. They will also learn how to refute arguments logically and construct their own rationally convincing arguments

Course content

• Term 1: Science - Good, Bad, Bogus (please note, this course runs until week 5, Term 2)
  Students will engage in university level study through the course Phil110 - Science: Good, Bad, Bogus. The course is taught at school but run out of the University of Canterbury's Department of Philosophy. Students who successfully complete the course earn Stage One points towards their degree. This is a great head start for students.
• Term 2: God, Science, and Ultimate Questions (this course starts in week 5, Term 2)
  We will also examine religious and scientific answers to ultimate questions such as "why is there something rather than nothing?" and "why do the innocent suffer?"
• Term 3: Ethics and Moral Philosophy
  The goal of this term is to examine a significant ethical issue with reference to a selection of ethical frameworks.
• Term 4: Analyze a Relgious Text
  We will end the year by critically analyzing a religious text. We will attempt to uncover the intentions of the author and discover the origin of the ancient stories that were integrated into the text.

Assessment statement

• 24 credits NCEA Level 3
• All assessments are essays which will be written during three week assessment periods

Authenticity

• Essays are written over a three week period. Students can work on their essays in study periods and at home. But a significant portion of the essay will be written in class under supervision. Student essays will be produced in Google Docs and shared with Brent so that progress can be monitored.

Appeal Procedures

• Students have the right to appeal the mark they have been awarded. If a student wishes to appeal a grade, they should initially talk to the subject learning advisor about the marking process immediately after the marked assessment task is shown to them. If still dissatisfied the student should make an appointment and discuss grades with the Principal’s Nominee who will check that the correct procedures have been followed as outlined in the school and subject policies taking into account any special circumstances.

Table of Assessments