Nicholas Buidling
Where is the MSCP classroom?
The MSCP currently teaches in the Nicholas Building on the corner of Swanston St and Flinders Lane in the CBD. Our room is on the 9th floor and is accessible via the elevator. To find rooms 18-20, enter the main arcade on the ground floor and take the elevator to the 0th floor. Exit the elevator to the right, go through the glass door to your left and the door to the class room is right there on your left.
Special Zoom Online Courses FAQs
Do I need a zoom account to use zoom?
No. If you are only joining a meeting (or lecture, in our case) as a participant (read student), as opposed to a host, no zoom account is required. MSCP will be hosting all zoom lectures so there is no need to have an account.
How do I access the classes?
The MSCP will provide all students with a link to their prospective courses which you will use to 'enter' the classroom. Access to readings and a zoom link for the class will be emailed to you on enrolment (do check your junk folder if it did not land in your inbox).
What time are the classes?
These are listed on the course page - Melbourne is 10 hours ahead of UTC in Winter and 11 hours ahead in Summer - viz. Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)
What if I am unable to make the scheduled time?
All classes are being recorded and will be available to students via the course materials link provided.
I enrolled late for class - how do I get access?
If you enrol after a class has started please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and they will check your enrolment record and send you the relevant links.
Can I enrol after a course has started?
Yes. You can catch up by watching the recordings.
Is the course materials link the same as the zoom link?
No. Course materials, such as readings, course slides, notes etc. are hosted by a separate 3rd party server called box.com.
Do I need an account for box.com?
No, the same rules apply as per zoom if participating as a student.
What if I have issues accessing the classroom?
If this is a technical issue, it is advised you review the zoom faq first to see if there is something specific to your issue. If your problems persist, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I have enrolled but I have not received the readings or access to the zoom link. When will I get it?
Upon enrolling you should receive two emails - a receipt from our payment processor Stripe and an email from the website that includes links to the zoom meeting and box.com readings.
Am I able to combine multiple subjects from the MSCP and MSL course offerings to obtain a discounted fee?
No. As these are distinct streams, we do not offer discounts for a combination of courses from both. However, within each stream a significant discount still applies for multiple course selections.
FAQs that were written prior to "the Situation"
What does the MSCP do?
The MSCP teaches short courses during the summer and winter university holiday periods and evening courses during semester. We also run single day research workshops in autumn and spring, organise reading groups and work to encourage and support philosophical thinking in the community.
When are the courses run?
The summer school is held over a 4-5 week period in January-February each year and usually consists of 8-10 courses. Each course runs for 10 hours. Some courses run Monday to Friday with 2 hours of lectures per day. Other courses run over 5 weeks, with 2 hours per week. The winter school usually has 6-8 courses, with the same structure. Evening courses, run between the summer and winter schools, have variable lengths.
Where are the courses run?
The summer, winter and evening schools are held in a few locations around Carlton/Parkville, usually in the Church of all Nations on the corner of Lygon and Palmerston st. Specific room details are provided along with the details of each individual school.
What do the courses consist of?
Each short course tackles a single text, author or set of concepts in a seminar/lecture format. Some students ask a lot of questions, while others prefer to take notes or just listen. The teacher will provide a set of online readings that can be accessed prior to the course, and usually will provide further handouts and suggested readings throughout the course.
Are the courses difficult?
The MSCP teaches tertiary-level courses - imagine an honours level or early grad-level seminar. The courses do not usually require any special background in philosophy, but all of our courses are about confronting difficult texts and concepts.
How much do the courses cost?
The current price list for our Summer and Winter classes.
| Courses | Waged | Unwaged |
| 1 | $145 | $90 |
| 2 | $220 | $150 |
| 3 | $250 | $180 |
| 4+ | $280 | $200 |
Prices for evening sessions vary depending on their length.
What does "unwaged" mean?
Unwaged means that you don't currently have a steady income. When paying you should select whichever payment category seems suitable for you.
Who teaches MSCP courses?
Our teachers are either philosophy academics, recent PhD graduates in philosophy or current postgraduate students working towards their PhDs in philosophy. All of our teachers are highly qualified and motivated. The MSCP embraces a freedom to teach approach, and each course is proposed and created by the teacher. This allows teachers to teach alongside their current research activities. The teachers are paid at approximately academic rates.
How do I know what courses will be run?
Course information will be posted on our website well before the courses are due to begin. Join our mailing list to have this information emailed to you.
How do I enrol?
You can enrol online through our website. You can either pay online, pay by posting a cheque or money order, by direct deposit or in person.
How can I pay?
When enrolling on-line you will be able to pay with a credit card (or debit card).
Who can attend the courses?
Anyone with an interest in learning can attend. There are no prerequisites and you need not belong to any University.
Do your courses have assessment?
No.
Can I get credit at my University for completing an MSCP course?
No. Our students attend only with the intention to learn; however the courses may aid your current studies.
If I am travelling interstate or from overseas to attend a course can MSCP provide accommodation?
The MSCP does not organize accommodation for students, but there are a number of options for local accommodation.
During Summer and Winter Schools the UniMelb colleges can usually provide short term accommodation
http://www.colleges.unimelb.edu.au/about/casual-accommodation.html
Backpacker/Hostel Accommodation around Parkville
http://www.truelocal.com.au/find/hostels/vic/melbourne-city/parkville/
What is 'continental' philosophy?
‘Continental philosophy’ has a specific academic meaning, referring to the study of the European tradition of philosophy as represented by Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Lacan, Derrida, Deleuze, Foucault, Badiou, etc., but it also has a broader meaning, in the sense of western philosophy. One reason that the MSCP was started was to provide an opportunity to teach subjects in the continental tradition that weren’t being taught in the universities. Over time the C in our title has become less representative as the MSCP has outgrown any allegiance to academic border lines. We now teach a wide variety of courses in continental philosophy, political philosophy, aesthetics, environmental philosophy and the history of philosophy.
Who should I contact if I have any further questions or trouble enrolling?
You should This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..