HSC courses: Mind and Morality

The Sydney Summer School administers Mind and Morality which is a HSC philosophy course, designed by the Department of Philosophy and endorsed by the Board of Studies. Mind and Morality counts toward a degree at the University of Sydney and students taking it are effectively beginning their tertiary education while still in year 11 at school.

Highly motivated students of Mind and Morality learn to think and write to university standards through the investigation of fundamental and fascinating issues that are not addressed elsewhere in the HSC curriculum: What is a mind? What is a person? Could robots think and feel? What is the relationship between God and morality? Is morality merely subjective or culturally relative? Should we ever violate a person’s rights in order to increase overall happiness?

Mind and Morality course description

Mind and Morality is a philosophical investigation of who we are and how we should live. The course covers ethical, social, scientific and political issues. Students improve their research and critical thinking skills by engaging in problem solving and evidence-based learning.

The benefits of enrolling in Mind and Morality

Students of Mind and Morality gain experience in the research and writing of critical papers, developing a capacity to communicate complex ideas.

The analytical thinking skills and essay writing skills acquired by Mind and Morality students prove very useful in their other essay-based HSC subjects, such as English, History, Geography, Legal Studies and Society and Culture.

On successful completion of the course, credit will be given for six credit points (a semester length unit of study) towards a degree in the Faculty of Arts or some combined degree programs.

Students may also use study in the course to gain entry to some degrees through the University’s Flexible Entry Scheme.

The course fee represents approximately one-third of the full fee rate for a 6 credit points Arts unit of study at the University. Students who gain admission to a degree - which this subject can be credited toward - will not incur a HECS debt or be liable for the full fee for these six credit points.

Mind and Morality is recognised by the Board of Studies

Mind and Morality is endorsed as a one-unit option. The course is recognised by the Board of Studies as a Year 11 preliminary unit and forms part of a student’s final HSC record. Board Endorsed Courses are designed for high-achieving students to supplement and extend the HSC curriculum, though the results in these courses are not included in the calculation of the Universities Admission Index (UAI). The result for Mind and Morality will appear on a student’s Record of Achievement and it is worth six credit points toward an undergraduate degree at the University.

Mind and Morality timetable

Mind and Morality is offered as part of the Summer School in January each year *or* in University Semester 1 (school terms 1 and 2) *or* University Semester 2 (school terms 3 and 4) as an after-school program in host schools. External students are welcome to apply to take the course at host schools. That is, students choose to attend one of these three distinct sessions. Check the website nearer to your preferred session for venue and timetable details.

Next session dates: Semester 2, 2009

Semester 2, 2009
Offered at: Ascham School
Dates:
Module 1: 4 August – 15 September
Module 3: 13 October – 24 November
Day/time: Tuesdays, 4pm–6pm
Note: Module 2 is an intensive on-campus session run at the University during the school holidays (Monday, 28 September – Friday, 2 October, 10am–2pm).

Please check back here for further important dates information.

Assessment

Assessment for Mind and Morality consists of a 1000-word essay on Mind, worth 22.5 per cent, a 1000-word essay on Personal Identity or Artificial Intelligence, worth 22.5 per cent, and a 2000-word essay on Ethics, worth 45 per cent. The final 10 per cent of the student’s overall mark comes from class participation. (As part of the course, students are taught how to write essays to university standard.)

Mind and Morality student administration details

Eligibility: Any student who has an interest in the topics covered and the ability and aptitude to undertake university-level study is welcome to apply. Only students who will have commenced Year 11 may apply to enrol in the course.

Application process: Applications are assessed by the course convener on the basis of a student’s past academic record and their school principal’s recommendation that the student has the capacity to meet the demands of the course. This takes into account a candidate’s potential to work at university level and their ability to work both in a team and independently.

Submitting an application: Candidates should complete the following form: Mind and Morality Application Form


The application must be given to the student's school principal for approval and submission to the University. Students must also attach a copy of their most recent school report.

Your completed application will be forwarded to the course convener for assessment and offers will be sent out to successful applicants with fee payment details.

Note: the course fee is $775.00

For further information contact:
Julian Miller
Phone: (02) 9351 5774
Fax: (02) 9351 5888
Email: julian.miller@usyd.edu.au