Philosophy
Philosophy is an NSW Department of Education approved elective course.
Introduction
Philosophy stimulates critical thinking in students, assisting them to reflect on their role as active decision makers in society. The Philosophy course will develop student interest in key philosophical thinkers, problems and arguments. By applying this knowledge to social dilemmas through communities of inquiry, students challenge assumptions and beliefs and build their capacity for critical reasoning and ethical decision making.
Course structure
Students may undertake either 100 or 200 hours of study in Philosophy. Courses are structured in the following ways:
- a 100-hour course consisting of Core 1 and Core 2 and a minimum of three options
- a 200-hour course consisting of Core 1 and Core 2 and a minimum of five options.
Professional learning
- Complete the Department approved elective course – Philosophy microlearning (NR36609)
- Access recordings from statewide staffroom sessions via the Teaching and learning 7-12 statewide staffroom
Advice for leaders on whole school considerations, key information and further support for Philosophy.
Syllabus information for leaders


Philosophy is concerned with questions of ethics, knowledge, aesthetics and reality. The course seeks to engage students in thinking about life’s big issues, such as the nature of reality, how we should live and what it means to be human.
Students engage in communities of inquiry style discussions to consider a range of issues and ideas, developing deep critical thinking skills and working collaboratively with peers.
Teachers may require time to upskill and build their knowledge in order to deliver the course.
Philosophy is a new course in 2022. Students may undertake either 100 or 200 hours of study in Philosophy in Stage 5. The course is divided into core and options. The core should precede the options. The options may be studied in any order.
The course may be structured in the following ways:
- 100-hour course comprises two core topics and additional study of selected options to meet the 100-hour requirement
- 200-hour course comprises two core topics and additional study of selected options to meet the 200-hour requirement
- professional learning available in 2022
- Teaching and Learning 7-12 Statewide staffroom
A comprehensive overview of the outcomes, content and requirements for satisfactory completion of the course.
Course
In order to comply with the Curriculum planning and programming, assessing and reporting to parents K-12 Policy and associated policy standards, schools must use the course document to develop educational programs for students.
Course document
Illustrative examples of how to sequence the core and options topics.
Scope and sequence
Scope and sequences are flexible documents and may vary according to local school contexts and student cohorts, provided they comply with the course documents.
A range of teaching and learning activities and resources that may be used to deliver the course content.
Learning sequences
Schools may choose to adapt or modify this content or use other materials suitable to their local context, provided they comply with the course documents.
Assessment advice and examples aligning to course content
Assessment
Department approved elective courses are not eligible for credentialing on the Record of School Achievement (RoSA). Assessment activities should reflect the school's organisation of the course and provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning.
Support for department-approved elective courses
Contact
Lyndal Bimson
Teaching and Learning Advisor
lyndal.bimson1@det.nsw.edu.au