Open Research Topic in Philosophy

Aim and Content

The course is meant to provide students with an opportunity of specializing in a specific topic. Such topics focus on specific philosophical problem areas (such as ethics, political philosophy, theory of knowledge or metaphysics), approaches (such as phenomenology, exsistentialism or analytic philosophy), or on particular philosophical works or authorships.

The course should thus put the students in a better position to work on their master thesis in an independent manner.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the student should have

• insight into a topic focusing on a specific philosophical problem area or approach, or on particular philosophical works or authorships
• an overview of central problems, arguments and positions on this topic

Skills:

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• recognize and critically assess main positions and arguments in other philosophical texts on the same topic
• keep up with contemporary philosophical discussions on the topic
• assess the relevance of the topic for other philosophical questions, for other disciplines, or wider contexts
• produce clear, well composed and relatively thorough written expositions withing the topic, suited for a philosophical as well as a wider audience

Competence:

After completing the course, the student should be competent to

• more advanced academic studies based on the topic, for example in the form of a master thesis (FILO350 (Master Thesis - Philosophy))
• communicating basic insight into the topic, for example in the form of teaching at high school level
• produce expository or advisory documents for use in context where the topic is of relevance

Course offered (semester)

Spring and Fall

Language of Instruction

Norwegian or English

Course Unit Level

Master

Access to the Course Unit

A condition for entry into this course is having been accepted for the Masters programme in philosophy.

Pre-requirements

Bachelor degree with 90 credits specializing in philosophy or equivalent.

Subject Overlap

FIL314 might overlap with FIL211, FIL212, FIL213, FIL214, FIL301, FIL302 or FIL303. Please contact the department for further information.

Teaching Methods

Teaching is offered in the form of lectures and/or seminars.

Compulsory Requirements

An approval of compulsory requirements is valid for three semesters, including the semester in which the approval is given.

Submission of reading list by 15 April in the Spring and by 15 October in the Fall. The reading list should contain course code, semester of examination, and names of the student and teacher, and adher to usual standards for bibliographic references. Number of pages for each book/book excerpt or article should be given (for electronic sources without page numbers one should count 500 words per page). The reading list must be signed by the teacher and approved by the Department.

Assessment methods

Candidates will have a one-hour oral examination in which they present a theme from within the course. The theme will be chosen by the candidate and approved by the leader of the seminar. This oral presentation will be of 15-20 minutes, which corresponds to a written paper of approximately 2500-3500 words.

Exams in the course are held every semester.

The compulsory activities have to be formally approved before one can take an exam in the course.

Grading Scale

From A to F

Course Unit Evaluation

The teaching will be evaluated from time to time.

Contact Information

Department of Philosophy

Email: studierettleiar@fof.uib.no