Epistemology

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course gives students an in-depth discussion of debates and questions about knowledge, for example: Is there a definition of knowledge that is immune to the Gettier counterexample? What are the benefits and challenges of a virtue epistemological approach? How can others' testimonies justify our interpretations? Is there a priori knowledge? The course is flexible: it can discuss some philosophical positions, or it can be focused on one or two topics, e.g. relativism, contextualism, skepticism, invariantism, epistemic modalities, virtue epistemology, the value of knowledge, the understanding of epistemology, social epistemology, formal epistemology, rationality, or pragmatism.

The main emphasis is on themes in contemporary philosophy, but it may be relevant to take as a starting point philosophical works and positions from older times. After completing the course, students should be able to assess and convey key theories and issues within epistemology, and see the relevance of these in

other contexts. The course will provide a basis for further studies in philosophy at bachelor level.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the student should have

  • in-depth knowledge of important basic concepts, arguments and positions in one or more research areas in epistemology

Skills:

After completing the course, the student should be able to

  • identify, analyze and convey key issues, positions and arguments in one or more research areas in epistemology
  • identify strengths and weaknesses at key positions in one or more research areas in epistemology
  • understand in outline current contributions in one or more research areas in epistemology

Competence:

After completing the course, the student should be competent to

  • further studies in epistemology, e.g. at master's level.

The course can be part of a bachelor's degree with specialization in philosophy. In combination with other subjects and subjects, it can be part of an education that qualifies for teaching philosophy in upper secondary school or high school.

The course can also be suitable as support for in-depth study of basic questions in connection with the study of other subjects.

ECTS Credits

10 ECTS

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Spring in odd years

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Approved first semester studies. Specialized study courses presuppose good background knowledge in philosophy, and students should normally have finished their exams in all 100-level cumpolsary courses. A good proficiency in English is necessary since it ought to be assumed that much of the prescribed reading will be in English.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
FIL247 overlaps 10 credits with FIL347.html">FIL347 (Research Topic in Epistemology).
Access to the Course
The course is open to students admitted at the University of Bergen
Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is offered in the form of lectures and/or seminars.

Supervision of term paper: supervision is a voluntary offer and can occur individually or in groups.

The number of gatherings may be reduced if the number of students attending the course is less than 4. In that case, the students will be compensated with individual or group tutoring.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

An approval of compulsory requirements is valid for three semesters, including the semester in which the approval is given.

Submission of a short assignment at 900-1200 words. The topic is given by the teacher. Deadline is set by the department. The assignment must be approved to be able to take the exam.

Passing grade in end-of-course test.

Forms of Assessment

A semester assignment paper of 3000- 5000 words (not including table of contents, list of references etc.) The topic of the paper must be approved in advance by the teacher of the course. The semester assignment paper will be assessed at the end of the semester.

The compulsory activities have to be formally approved before one can take an exam in the course.

Assessment in a semester without teaching follows the syllabus the previous semester the course had teaching.

Grading Scale
From A to F
Assessment Semester

Fall/Spring

The compulsory activities have to be formally approved before one can take an exam in the course.

Reading List
There is a fixed reading list which the student, in cooperation with the teacher, is supposed to supply with additional reading.
Course Evaluation
The teaching will be evaluated from time to time.
Examination Support Material
Not relevant
Programme Committee
Undervisningsutvalget for fagstudiet i filosofi
Course Coordinator
Undervisningsutvalget for fagstudiet i filosofi
Course Administrator
Department of Philsophy