At the heart of cultural diversity are profoundly different ways of conceptualising the world - ways that are articulated in the great world philosophies. This comparative unit will introduce students to some of the key ideas of the philosophical traditions of the world, from ancient times until the modern age, and the central influence that those ideas have had on world cultures. The unit will examine a selection of philosophies from Europe, the Middle-East, China, India, and Africa. Students will analyse and compare the varied answers that different cultures have given to questions about the nature of the self, its relation to society and to the natural world, and the nature of happiness and the good life.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Examine and evaluate how world philosophies express the deep structures of cultural diversity;
2. Engage in clear and cogent reasoning about central themes in world philosophies and their relation to contemporary life; and
3. Critically analyse, and articulate a reflective understanding of, complex arguments and concepts drawn from world philosophies.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas

Prerequisites

Must have passed 24 credit points.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.