ATS2338 Philosophy of the social world
Faculty of Arts
ATS2338 Philosophy of the social world is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Arts, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ATS2338
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After ATS2338
No unit lists ATS2338 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: 12 credit points of Level 1 Arts units
Overview
We don't live our lives as isolated individuals. Instead, we exist as part of many overlapping social groups. These groups themselves come in many kinds: families, corporations, classes, nationalities, genders, and many more. These groups deeply shape our opportunities and the paths we take in life. They shape how we interact with others, and how others interact with us.
Social philosophy involves philosophical inquiry into these phenomena, and so includes areas of philosophy such as, for example, social ontology, feminist philosophy, critical race theory, and philosophy of disability. Some of the questions you will explore in this unit concern what, if anything, makes these groups the groups that they are; what obligations, if any, are held by groups themselves; what the effects are of being a member of various groups, or of being seen as a member; and what responsibilities we find ourselves with as a result of living in a society so shaped by social categories.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- InterviewDemonstration40%
- Analytical ExercisesExercise20%
- EssayWritten40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
explain and apply key concepts, arguments, and principles in social philosophy, both orally and in writing;
- 2
summarise and interpret key texts in social philosophy;
- 3
analyse and evaluate detailed philosophical arguments in the field of social philosophy;
- 4
apply research and academic communication skills that are relevant to the discipline of philosophy;
- 5
collaborate effectively with peers in class and project work.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures12 hours
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
Where it fits
ATS2338 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Ellie Ripley
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Ellie Ripley
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ATS2338?
ATS2338 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is ATS2338 offered?
In 2026, ATS2338 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is ATS2338?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ATS2338 have an exam?
No. ATS2338 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include ATS2338?
ATS2338 is part of Philosophy.