Admission requirements
No prerequisites.
Description
Introduction to key figures, problems and themes in modern European philosophy from the sixteenth to the early nineteenth century. The course starts with sketching the broader context of cultural modernity, and the demands for stability and orientation that emerged as traditional worldviews fell apart. This is followed by a series of lectures on six specific themes taught by different experts in the field: knowledge, physics and metaphysics, mind and soul, ethics, political philosophy and theology. The lectures explain how the modern concept of reason developed in these different fields, discussing key ideas from thinkers such as Bacon, Galileo, Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza, Pascal, Locke, Berkeley, Leibniz, Hume, Rousseau, Kant and Hegel. A textbook will be used for introducing the various themes, supplemented by selected readings from primary sources.
Course objectives
This course aims to introduce students to key figures, problems and themes in modern European philosophy from the sixteenth to the early nineteenth century.
Students who successfully complete the course will have basic understanding of:
the concept of modernity in the history of European philosophy;
central problems, themes and concepts in modern European philosophy, in particular in the fields of epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, moral philosophy and political philosophy;
how these problems are addressed in a number of key texts;
the relations between these problems and the historical conditions to which they respond, including the development of scientific disciplines and methodologies.
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
read primary texts with the confidence needed to analyse, reconstruct and evaluate key arguments in them;
contextualize and comment upon primary texts in modern European philosophy;
give clear and structured written answers to questions about central problems, themes and concepts in modern European philosophy.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA Filosofie website
BA Filosofie, BA1 – BA Plus-traject
BA Filosofie, BA1 – Standaardtraject
Mode of instruction
- Lectures
Course Load
Total course load 5 EC x 28 hours =140 hours
Attending lectures: 13 x 3 hours = 39 hours
Midterm exam: 3 hours
Final exam: 3 hours
Textbook readings (214 pp): 53 hours
Primary sources (120 pp): 30 hours
Two-weekly assignments 6 x 2 = 12 hours
Assessment method
Two-weekly homework assignments (compulsory, but not graded)
Mid-term exam (50%)
Written exam with closed and open questions (50%)
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average of two subtests (midterm, final test). A subtest can be graded as unsatisfactory.
Class participation and homework assignments are mandatory requirements for taking the tests and/or resit.
Resit
The resit consists of one examination for all parts at once, consisting of written exam covering the entire course content. The mark for the resit will replace all previously earned marks for subtests.No separate resits will be offered for mid-term tests.
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:
readings
assignments
Reading list
A. Kenny, The Rise of Modern Philosophy (Oxford University Press, 2008).
Required readings from primary sources will be made available through Blackboard.
Registration
Enrolment for courses and exams 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
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
Dr. J.J.M. Sleutels Dr. R. Uljée
Remarks
Not applicable.