Philosophy
The possibility of philosophy being included within the unit offerings of the Ballarat College of Advanced Education Department of Humanities and Social Sciences was raised back in 1986 (, and resulted in two philosophy-specific units, entitled ‘Logic and Reasoning’ and ‘Being and Knowing’, being offered for the first time in 1988. These however were controversial new offerings and were initially taught by staff with an interest in the subject matter on a voluntary basis (with staff getting little recognition of this teaching in their workload). Furthermore, given that these units were originally taught by staff from outside of the Humanities and Social Sciences, there was ongoing tension regarding their ownership, position within the B.A., and potential funding. Despite these problems, a further introductory philosophy unit was developed and first offered in 1991, and a proposal for a Minor in Philosophy (comprising five units, students needing to complete four) was circulated towards the end of 1991.[1]
These modest beginnings, spearheaded by John Winkelman (a lecturer in psychology), led to the contracting in 1994 of Edwin Coleman to be responsible for the coordination and teaching of the Minor. This in turn led to the addition of more specialised units in ethics, epistemology, philosophy of science, and classical, modern, political and Asian philosophies. Initially part-time, this position became full-time in 2003 with the appointment of Angus Nicholls as lecturer in philosophy, who was then replaced by Jane Mummery in 2005. Since her appointment Jane Mummery has further consolidated the Minor in Philosophy, refining and increasing the offerings in philosophy by adding units in applied ethics and Continental philosophy, and units emphasising connections not only with other disciplines such as film, mass media and cultural theory, but also with the problematics of technology and the environment.[2]
The past years have seen philosophy secure its position at the University of Ballarat (now Federation University Australia]. The current unit offerings, set within a dynamic interdisciplinary context, introduce students to a broad range of philosophical traditions and give them the chance to develop a strong foundation in philosophical study.[3]
--Clare K.Gervasoni 10:24, 13 May 2015 (AEST)
- ↑ http://books.publishing.monash.edu/apps/bookworm/view/A+Companion+to+Philosophy+in+Australia+and+New+Zealand/56/xhtml/chapter02.html, accessed 13 May 2015.
- ↑ http://books.publishing.monash.edu/apps/bookworm/view/A+Companion+to+Philosophy+in+Australia+and+New+Zealand/56/xhtml/chapter02.html, accessed 13 May 2015.
- ↑ http://books.publishing.monash.edu/apps/bookworm/view/A+Companion+to+Philosophy+in+Australia+and+New+Zealand/56/xhtml/chapter02.html, accessed 13 May 2015.