Admission requirements
Admission to this course is restricted to:
BA students in Filosofie, who have successfully completed at least 70 ECTS credits of the mandatory components of the first and second year of their bachelor’s programme, including History of Modern Philosophy, History of Political Philosophy or Griekse en Romeinse filosofie, Ethiek, Politieke filosofie / Political Philosophy.
BA students in Philosophy: Global and Comparative Perspectives, who have successfully completed at least 70 ECTS credits of the mandatory components of the first and second year of their bachelor’s programme, including World Philosophies: Greek and Roman Antiquity, World Philosophies: Modern Europe, Ethics, Political Philosophy.
Pre-master’s students in Philosophy who are in possession of an admission statement and who have to complete an advanced seminar, to be selected from package D.
Description
This course examines African philosophy as a contemporary field of study. The course focuses on fundamental dimensions of African philosophy: history, method, logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, religion, and politics.
We will consider both what unifies African philosophy, and what the distinctions are within its set of practices. We will examine the status of contemporary African philosophy, paying close attention to key figures and scholars that have inspired and dominated contemporary debates.
The course will also address contemporary African philosophy as a as a living set of traditions and practice. We will explore how these philosophical traditions interact, showing historical connections as well as regional, political or religious influences.
These questions are examined in a classroom environment mediated by dialogue, debates, and class presentations.
Course objectives
Students who successfully complete the course are expected to demonstrate:
Knowledge about key controversies in contemporary African Philosophy
In-depth knowledge of key conversations and contemporary debates
Understanding of different philosophical traditions emerging from Africa
Understanding of the role of philosophical discourses in shaping of modern African politics, identity, migration, culture, governance, development and religion.
A good knowledge of African philosophy not only in terms of history or origins but its relationship to other philosophical traditions in Europe, Middle East and North America
Complete well-informed presentations and critical research papers on key issues in African Philosophy
The ability to learn, improve, and develop critical writing and presentation skills in good academic English.
The ability to write and deliver conference papers through learned practice in class
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Seminars
Class attendance is required.
Assessment method
Assessment
Midterm paper (25%)
Final paper (25%)
Presentation (25%)
Participation (25%)
Class attendance is compulsory for all students and a requirement for admission to the exams. Active participation is required. Non-participation counts as non-attendance for the seminar.
Weighting
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average of the subtests (see above).
Resit
The resit offers an opportunity to rewrite one or two papers. A failed presentation can also be substituted with an essay writing. The grade for participation remains in place.
Attendance and active participation in class is required for admission to the resit. Students who have obtained a satisfactory overall grade for the first examination cannot take the resit.
Inspection and feedback
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.
Reading list
Essential readings will be provided through Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga
Remarks
Not applicable.