Description
Is history a science? Is it possible to acquire objective knowledge of the past? Or should history be likened to literature? And what reasons are there to claim that history has ended or to deny that it is possible to write a history of ideas? In this course, we will examine and discuss these kinds of questions by studying major innovations in philosophy and theory of history during the last 150 years. The thinkers and traditions to be covered include Ranke, Collingwood, Lovejoy, the analytic philosophy of history, Gadamer, Skinner and narrativism (White, Ankersmit). At the end, we will also take a look at the most recent developments in the field.
Teaching method
Seminar
Admission requirements
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Course objectives
Course objectives will be made available on Blackboard at the start of the course.
Required reading
Selection of primary and secondary material will be made available.
Test method
Participation 10%
Presentation/formative paper 30%
Final term paper 60%
Time table
See: Timetable MA Philosophy
Information
Dr. J.M. Kuukkanen ( j.Kuukkanen@phil.leidenuniv.nl)
Registration
Please register for this course on U-twist. See registration procedure
Blackboard
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Remarks
Specialisation MA in Philosophy: Theoretical Philosophy.
Specialisation Research Master in Philosophy: Rationality and the Scientific Mind (compulsory course)