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HE Unit Template
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Foundations of Knowledge
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FEAFN1101 - Foundations of Knowledge
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20240200
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1.2
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Humanities and Social Science
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Institute of Education, Arts & Community
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Humanities and Social Sciences
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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090399
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Studies in Human Society, n.e.c.
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090399 - Studies in Human Society, n.e.c.
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/feafn1101">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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Bachelor Degree
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<p>The study of knowledge has traditionally focussed on how individuals can justify their claims to know the world. Recent breakthroughs in the field of social knowledge challenge individualist assumptions by exploring the collective ways in which knowledge is discovered, developed, justified, and challenged across time, place, languages, and cultures. This course introduces students to this exciting new field, exploring its critical potentials and applications to multiple disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. The course aims to inform and power professional practice in the 21st century by familiarising students with a broad range of disciplinary perspectives on knowledge.</p>
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<p>•This course takes a critical, interdisciplinary approach to knowledge in the humanities and the social sciences. Students will read and critically interrogate the work of scholars working in social theory, critical theory, philosophy, sociology, history, and related disciplines. <br>
•Introducing knowledge: foundationalism and its critics<br>
•Social knowledge: practice and society<br>
•Marxist epistemology: standpoint and practice<br>
•Feminist epistemology: standpoint theory<br>
•Knowledge and liberation: speech and representation <br>
•Epistemic injustice: testimonial injustice<br>
•Epistemic injustice: hermeneutic injustice<br>
•Virtue epistemology: epistemic justice<br>
•Indigenous knowledge: history<br>
•Indigenous knowledge: politics<br>
•Indigenous knowledge: land and ecology<br>
•Critical reflections: social knowledge revisited</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2027
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2026
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FEAFN1101 - Foundations of Knowledge
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FEAFN1101 - Foundations of Knowledge
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Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>The study of knowledge has traditionally focussed on how individuals can justify their claims to know the world. Recent breakthroughs in the field of social knowledge challenge individualist assumptions by exploring the collective ways in which knowledge is discovered, developed, justified, and challenged across time, place, languages, and cultures. This course introduces students to this exciting new field, exploring its critical potentials and applications to multiple disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. The course aims to inform and power professional practice in the 21st century by familiarising students with a broad range of disciplinary perspectives on knowledge.</p>
Unit content
<p>•This course takes a critical, interdisciplinary approach to knowledge in the humanities and the social sciences. Students will read and critically interrogate the work of scholars working in social theory, critical theory, philosophy, sociology, history, and related disciplines. <br> •Introducing knowledge: foundationalism and its critics<br> •Social knowledge: practice and society<br> •Marxist epistemology: standpoint and practice<br> •Feminist epistemology: standpoint theory<br> •Knowledge and liberation: speech and representation <br> •Epistemic injustice: testimonial injustice<br> •Epistemic injustice: hermeneutic injustice<br> •Virtue epistemology: epistemic justice<br> •Indigenous knowledge: history<br> •Indigenous knowledge: politics<br> •Indigenous knowledge: land and ecology<br> •Critical reflections: social knowledge revisited</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090399 - Studies in Human Society, n.e.c.
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/feafn1101">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Describe and explore a range of approaches to knowledge and social epistemology.</p>
K2
<p>Consider the significance for knowledge of standpoints, ideology, testimony, injustice, ethics, Indigenous knowledge, decolonisation, and objectivity.</p>
K3
<p>Explore how and why knowledge is contested in contemporary society.</p>
K4
<p>Examine how disciplinary knowledges can inform professional practice in the 21st century.</p>
S1
<p>Analyse diverse modes of knowledge production and theories of knowledge.</p>
S2
<p>Analyse and appraise different forms of evidence.</p>
S3
<p>Read and think critically.</p>
S4
<p>Articulate an informed argument.</p>
A1
<p>Compare and critically discuss diverse approaches to knowledge including the significance of evidence.</p>
A2
<p>Read and reflect critically on the significance of context, culture, language, experience, place and history in shaping how we come to know and make sense of the world.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Actively engage in class and/or online discussion about diverse approaches to knowledge. Write critical reflections on the content discussed.</p>
<p>Critical reflections on peer discussion</p>
<p>40-50%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2
2
<p>Discuss, explain, and assess an approach to knowledge.</p>
<p>Presentation</p>
<p>25-35%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2
3
<p>Demonstrate skills in devising, developing, and expressing an argument addressing an aspect of course content.</p>
<p>Essay</p>
<p>25-35%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090399 - Studies in Human Society, n.e.c.
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/feafn1101">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: FEAFN1101 - U1.2