Basic Course in Theoretical Philosophy, 30 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

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Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to
- use knowledge of the key concepts and main fields of study of theoretical philosophy,
- demonstrate skills in logic and argumentation theory,
- account for the fundamental features of the history of theoretical philosophy,
- account for the main problems of philosophy of science and its fundamental discussion about choice of method,
- use knowledge in the philosophy of science of a specific field,
- in writing, independently process and develop a philosophic material.

Course content

Introductory Course, 7.5 HE credits
The course constitutes a general introduction to philosophy in general and to theoretical philosophy in particular. The course provides tools for further studies in philosophy with a specific emphasis on preparation for the fields epistemology and philosophy of science. The specific aim of the course is that the student should practise utilising language-philosophical theory, at a basic level, to present language-philosophical problems and theories, to handle arguments in a field that is fundamental to epistemology, to carry out and read simple logical formalisations in propositional and predicate logic, and to control the validity of conclusions in propositional logic.

History of Theoretical Philosophy, 7.5 HE credits
The course includes studies of the history of philosophy, with an emphasis on questions related to meta-physics, theory of knowledge and philosophy of science. The contents are covered in part from a purely historical perspective, and in part through thematisation of general philosophic questions, where the material serves as examples of theory comparisons. The work in this course should give the student familiarity with the central figures of the history of philosophy, and practise in interpreting arguments and extending a discussion based on these interpretations.

Introduction to Philosophy of Science, 7.5 HE credits
During the course, the student learns to work with scientific theoretical concepts, such as law, hypothesis, hypothesis testing, cause and explanation. The course is based on questions in theory of knowledge that have been covered in the two previous courses, but is focused on discussions of the past hundred years. The course is given a general approach by selecting examples and problems that highlight different kinds of sciences. Problems from the natural sciences as well as humanities and social studies are covered. In terms of practical skills, a priority of the course is to have the student gain the perspectives required to participate in the fundamental discussion involved in methodological choices.

Specialisation in Philosophy of Science, 7.5 HE credits
The course is focused on problems of philosophy of science in a problem area of a field of science (or group of sciences). In this way, the course is a specialisation through more in-depth studies in relation to the previous course. Information about the possibilities of selecting the field for the specialisation is given before each course date. In addition to the advanced understanding of a certain field of philosophy of science, the course aims to have the student prepare an example of philosophic analysis. The example should be independently designed, for example a comparison of an argumentation analysis or an ordered comparison.

Teaching and working methods

The student's work in the course primarily consists of independent literature studies. In addition, there will be lectures, seminars and exercises. The latter are intended to connect to the practical assignments that the student handles as individual work in addition to the literature studies.

Examination

The courses are generally examined through written examination. The exemption is the course Specialisation in Philosophy of Science, which is examined both at a seminar for group discussion and through an individually written essay that is discussed at another seminar. The seminars are compulsory.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department