Admission requirements
Admission to one of the following programmes is required:
MA Philosophy 60 EC: specialisation Ethics and Politics
MA Philosophy 60 EC: specialisation History and Philosophy of the Sciences
MA Philosophy 120 EC: specialisation Philosophy of Law
MA Philosophy 120 EC: specialisation Philosophy of Political Science
Introductory courses in Ethics and Political Philosophy will be required.
Description
Events as Brexit, the refugee crisis, and rising nationalism make the problematic of European community an urgent one. These events raise the question who is to be included within this community, who must remain outside, and based on what reasons? This problem calls for a sustained philosophical engagement, because the relationship between philosophy and Europe is intricate, profound and complex. Firstly, unlike other socio-political geographical entities, Europe has always defined itself from the perspective of the constitutive specificity of its philosophical principles: the freedom of the Ancient Greek cities as opposed to the supposedly despotic Asian regimes is a fitting example. In turn, for many philosophers throughout history, the idea of Europe has at all times touched on the very essence of philosophy. This is shown in the works of many philosophers throughout the history of philosophy, including in those of Hegel, Husserl, Patočka, Derrida, Agamben and Nancy. Although very different in inspiration and content, their works share an interpretation of Europe as a philosophical identity, concept, ideal and project. During this course, we will investigate the texts by these authors in order to gain an understanding what ‘Europe’ might mean philosophically, and what philosophy might have to offer to the current challenges that are facing Europe.
Course objectives
This course aims to investigate the ideas on Europe as a philosophical concept by drawing on the texts of its main thinkers. Students are expected to be able to compare, contrast and critically discuss the main arguments both written and orally. They are also expected to demonstrate the ability to use close readings to critically interpret the assigned texts and to place these texts in a broader philosophical context, going beyond the assigned readings where necessary.
Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:
the key ideas on Europe as developed by Hegel, Husserl, Patocka, Derrida and Agamben, and what these ideas are a response to;
the question of Europe in the history of philosophy.
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
give a critical discussion of the ideas presented during this course;
formulate a reasoned argumentation of their position in the topics covered in this course;
present their ideas both orally and in writing;
place the standpoints of the authors that have been studied in a broader philosophical context;
find, analyse and discuss relevant literature beyond the prescribed texts.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the MA Philosophy 60 EC website
and the MA Philosophy 120 EC website
Mode of instruction
- Seminars
Class attendance is required.
Course Load
Total course load 10 EC x 28 hours = 280 hours
Attending lectures: 13 x 3 hours = 39 hours
Preparation seminars: 105 hours
Study of compulsory literature: 100 hours
Writing paper: 36 hours
Assessment method
Assessment
Research paper (85 %)
Oral presentation (15 %)
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average of several subtests. A subtest can be graded as unsatisfactory.
Class attendance is required – without sufficient attendance students will be excluded from submitting a final paper.
Resit
The resit will consist of a research paper. The mark for the resit will replace all previously earned marks for subtests.No separate resits will be offered for mid-term tests.
Class participation and completion of practical assignments such as the oral presentation is a mandatory requirement for taking the resit. Students who have obtained a satisfactory grade for the first examination cannot take the resit.
Exam review
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for:
posting literature
communication
Reading list
- Literature will be made available via Blackboard.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
Students are strongly advised to register in uSis through the activity number, which can be found in the timetables for courses and exams.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
Remarks
Not applicable.