Course content

The course enables students to select an area of philosophy to specialize in. Students follow one of the Department's seminars relating to a special topic. Seminars covering various areas of philosophy are offered every autumn semester. The course trains students to delimit and choose a specific issue to address, and to write an independent academic text.

Learning outcome

A candidate who has passed this course will have achieved the following learning objectives, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

• more in-depth knowledge of a particular topic/problem area, or a particular philosopher.

Skills

• Compared to introductory courses at basic level (1000-level): increased ability to independently argue for and against, or discuss various positions.
• able to orient oneself in the literature within a particular field, and find complementary literature of relevance to a chosen topic and/or research question.
• able to discuss the issue in an independent manner through a written assignment (essay).
• able to delimit and chose a topic in agreement with a teacher.
• able to write an academic text and use academic sources (beyond what can be expected at the introductory level)

Learning methods and activities

Seminars/lectures, self-study, presentations.

In order to sit the exam the following is required:

• oral presentation
• written draft indicating (a) preliminary topic (or problem) with (b) relevant literature and (c) specification of which seminar you are following, must be submitted within the first four weeks of the semester (to get started with the work). (a) Topic and (b) literature must be based on (c) the department's seminars (but you can apply to the department's administration for an exemption from this requirement within the first three weeks of the semester).
• approved final syllabus with topic (or problem). Note that proposals for syllabus and topic must be submitted well in advance of this deadline.

The obligatory activity can only be approved the semester the course is taught, but is valid for this and the subsequent semester.

Compulsory assignments

• Oral presentation
• Written draft
• Approved syllabus

Recommended previous knowledge

Philosophy courses at basic level or equivalent is recommend, but not compulsory.

Required previous knowledge

None.