course-details-portlet

EXPH0200

Examen philosophicum for Social Sciences

Choose study year

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Examen philosophicum
Course start Autumn 2025 / Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Essay exam/Multiple choice exam

About

About the course

Course content

The course is an introduction to issues within theory of knowledge and science, ethics, and political philosophy. Different views of nature, humanity, and technology are discussed, in addition to questions concerning the relation between individual and society. The course provides knowledge of perspectives on science and contributes to a reflective relation to scientific practice and application of scientific knowledge. Dialogue- and discussion-based teaching cultivates critical thinking, and promotes skills in argumentation and cooperation. The course also contributes to a critical attitude toward sources, and to the further development of writing skills.

Examen philosophicum for Social Sciences contributes to the students' ability to reflect on scientific knowledge formation with emphasis on social scientific perspectives. Students will also learn how to recognize and discuss ethical questions related to present-day challenges of special relevance to their own disciplinary or professional practice.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate has

  • knowledge of analysis and assessment of argumentation, as well as central concepts from argumentation theory
  • familiarity with basic theories of knowledge, and with what distinguishes scientific knowledge from other forms of knowledge
  • knowledge of topics within theory of science of special relevance to social sciences
  • knowledge of distinctions between different types of sciences
  • knowledge of different theories and views of humanity, culture, and nature
  • knowledge of different views of the relation between individual and community within social and political theory
  • knowledge of main types of ethical thinking, and of ethical and societal problems and issues within ones own discipline or profession

Skills

The candidate can

  • discuss the significance of theories and concepts in social scientific thinking and research practice
  • discuss problems and issues in light of different views of knowledge, science, ethics, and politics
  • reflect critically on different conceptions of value and humanity, and relate this to one's own discipline and professional practice
  • identify and discuss ethical challenges related to ones own discipline or profession
  • argue independently, to the point and systematically regarding topics treated in the course

General competencies

The candidate can

  • relate to and apply scientific knowledge critically and constructively
  • reflect on the societal role of the sciences
  • contribute to good and reflective cooperation
  • write academic texts

Learning methods and activities

The course consists of lectures and seminars. The lectures present the main lines of the curriculum and provide an overview of the central themes of the course. The seminars are group-based work on assigned tasks and exercises under supervision.

Compulsory assignments: To be eligible to take the exam, 80% attendance at seminars is required, as well as approval of up to two submissions, with at least one being a group assignment.

All compulsory activity must be approved in one and the same semester. It is not possible to carry over parts of compulsory activity to a new semester.

If all compulsory assignments have been approved in EXPH0200 a previous semester, it can be approved by the department.

Note that NTNU has several different variants of exphil. It is not possible to take the exam in a variant/subject code other than the one in which the compulsory assignments have been approved

See the Blackboard pages of the course for details about compulsory assignments.

Compulsory assignments

  • Obligatory activities

Further on evaluation

The final grade is based on two partial assessments: a 2-hour multiple choice exam under supervision that counts 1/3 and an essay exam that counts 2/3.

In case of retakes, partial assessments can be taken up individually.

From autumn semester 2023, partial assessments can be carried out again individually. Note that completed partial assessments from before autumn 2023 cannot be combined with assessments carried out from autumn 2023 onwards.

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to specific study programmes at NTNU

Course materials

The curriculum is available on examen philosophicum's web page (http://www.ntnu.no/exphil) and the Blackboard pages of the course.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
EXPH0001 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0002 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0003 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0004 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0005 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0006 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH6001 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0100 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0300 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0400 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0500 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
EXPH0350 7.5 sp Autumn 2021
EXPH0550 7.5 sp Autumn 2021
EXPH0600 7.5 sp Autumn 2023
EXPH0650 7.5 sp Autumn 2024
EXPH0450 7.5 sp Autumn 2025
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Examen Philosophicum

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Essay exam/Multiple choice exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Multiple choice exam
Weighting 1/3 Examination aids Code E Duration 2 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.
Essay exam
Weighting 2/3 Duration 4 weeks Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Multiple choice exam
Weighting 1/3 Examination aids Code E Duration 2 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.
Essay exam
Weighting 2/3 Duration 4 weeks Exam system Inspera Assessment