Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Many Ways of Knowing: Studies in Epistemological Diversity
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Peter Phipps
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2039
Course Coordinator Email: peter.phipps@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: 37.05.20
Course Coordinator Availability: Please email for an appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
In this course, you will learn how different ways of knowing interact in the world: from megacities to arctic outposts, from export processing zones to cultural capitals, from reading on the page to human life online and artificial intelligence. How people understand and employ knowledge, govern themselves and manage their worlds is rooted in specific geographies of place, culture, and power and shapes the kind of people and societies we become.
You will investigate how globalisation is creating new knowledge configurations and alliances, opening debates around the world on relations between different and mutually contested ways of knowing, doing, and being in the world.
You will be introduced to key thinkers and studies in how we and others come to understand things in the many and various ways that we do (epistemology). This course engages critically and playfully with the western knowledge traditions of philosophy, anthropology and the broader social sciences, and is deeply informed by Indigenous and other knowledge practices, colonial histories, performance and sensory studies.
You will learn individual and collective practices of reflection and reflexivity, examining your own purposes and intentions in relationship with knowledge in rapidly changing local-global environments. Some travel is required to complete this course.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
If you are taking this course as an option course or as part of a minor, this course will complement the learning outcomes you are developing in your program.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Engage in reflexive analysis of different cultural ways of knowing, their associated values, beliefs and historical/political location.
- Critically reflect on key modes of knowledge production and their societal affect.
- Review key debates, case studies, and responses to/about knowledge production.
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities in a variety of settings including lectures, group exercises and discussions. A structured tutorial program is provided to give you the opportunity to explore global issues in greater depth through active participation in small group discussions and collaborative activities.
NOTE: In order to get the most out of this course you will be required to learn on country and/or through excursions. If travel away from campus is difficult you should discuss this with the course coordinator prior to enrolment.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
There are services and resources available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT student website.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment task 1: Short Reflective Essay, 25%, 1000 words, CLO: 1 and 2
Assessment task 2: Reflexive Post, 20%, 750 words, CLO 1 and 3
Assessment task 3: Discussion & Activities, 20%, CLO 1, 2 and 3
Assessment task 4: Investigative Project with Exegesis, 1,500 words, 35%, CLO 1, 2 and 3
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.