course-details-portlet

EXPH0004 - Introductory Course in Philosophy

About

New from the academic year 2013/2014

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Written examination
Grade: Letters

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Skriftlig 100/100 4 timer

Course content

The course provides a wider perspective on university studies at NTNU through an introduction to the philosophy and history of science and philosophy of science, plus ethics and social questions of relevance to students of science and technology. The course draws lines from Antiquity’s worldview to discussions in our own time. It takes up different views of nature, science, crafts/art, morality, politics, society, rationality and argumentation from both a historical and systematic perspective. The variant part focuses on ethics both as systematic theory and in an applied perspective, as well as science and technology's role in modern society.
Common elements:

*Philosophy and History of Science: Early Greek Philosophy, Sophists, Plato, Aristotle, the Scientific Revolution, Descartes, Hume, Kant, the New Social Philosophy (Machiavelli, Locke, Hobbes), Utilitarianism.

*Theory of Science and Argumentation theory: Logic and argumentation, laws and hypotheses, logical positivism, Popper, Kuhn, explanation vs. understanding (hermeneutics).

Variant elements:

*Normative Ethics: Utilitarianism, deontology (Kant), virtue ethics

*Metaethics: the basis of morality in reason and/or emotions.

*The role of ethics in modern society: professional ethics, bioethics, technology and ethics, rights and justice (including corporate responsibility).

*The axiology of science: the scientific ethos ('internal standards'), value freedom thesis (Weber), research ethics

*Science and technology in society: Is all technological development welcome? Do we control technological development (cf. "technology determinism")? Different view of man and nature in the technological society.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

*The student will have knowledge of basic concepts, important thinkers and positions in the philosophy and history of science and modern theory of science as well as knowledge of some basic concepts of logic and argumentation theory (see above).

*The student will have knowledge of both systematic (theoretical) and practical (applied) ethics (see above).

Skills

*The student will be familiar with and be able to discuss the arguments and central issues in the philosophy and history of science and theory of science.

*The student will be able to relate the different eras/topics to each other and understand the context of the history of thinking.

*The student will be able to apply ethical principles and concepts to moral issues in their field and in society.

General skills

*The student will be able to relate reflectively to their own discipline and to science in general.

*Students will gain the academic background required to take ethical considerations into account both in professional life and life in general.

Learning methods and activities

The course consists of lectures and seminars. Two assignments to be completed and approved to take the exam. The lectures present the main lines of the curriculum and provides a basic historical and systematic introduction to concepts and thinkers/positions. The seminars are teaching in small groups, where students work on exercises under supervision. The exercises should be written in groups of 3-5, but can also be written in pairs or individually. Through discussion and writing, students are trained in scientific and philosophical argumentation in both oral and written form.

Compulsory assignments

  • 2 Approved exercises
  • 1st Exercise
  • 2nd Exercise

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to a study programme from Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology and The Faculty of Architecture and Fine Art (only for the study programme in Architecture).

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
EXH001 7.5
EXH0210 7.5
EXPH0001 7.5
EXPH0002 7.5
EXPH0003 7.5
EXPH0005 7.5
EXPH0006 7.5
EXPH6001 7.5
EXPH6002 7.5
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Examen philosophicum

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2013

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2014

Language of instruction: -

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Subject area(s)
  • Examen Philosophicum
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

Examination

Examination arrangement: Written examination

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Skriftlig 100/100 2013-12-14 09:00
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Skriftlig 100/100 2014-05-31 09:00
Room Building Number of candidates
Summer KONT Skriftlig 100/100 2014-08-05 09:00
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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