Master Topic in Practical Philosophy

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

This course will focus on a central topic in practical philosophy. Students will be introduced to key concepts, problems, and current debates related to this topic. The course will involve close critical engagement with contemporary scholarship in practical philosophy. An emphasis will also be placed on philosophical methodology and the development of a research paper.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the student should have

Knowledge:

  • Familiarity with contemporary scholarship on key debates related to a central theme in practical philosophy;
  • Understanding of concepts, problems, arguments, and positions within key debates related to this theme.

Skills:

After completing the course, the student should be able to

  • Describe key concepts, problems, and positions related to a central theme in practical philosophy
  • Reconstruct and evaluate arguments advanced in scholarly literature in support of different positions in debates related to this theme
  • Reflect on, and form well-reasoned judgements about debates related to this theme
  • Communicate understanding and ideas related to the course content both orally and in writing
  • Formulate research questions related to the debates covered in the course
  • Identify scholarly literature, from the course reading list and beyond, in preparation for answering a research question
  • Outline, propose, and write a research paper that engages with relevant and up-to-date scholarly literature.

Competence:

After completing the course, the student should be competent to

  • Make an original contribution to a key debate in practical philosophy

ECTS Credits

10

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
Bachelor degree with 90 credits specializing in philosophy or equivalent.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
A good proficiency in English is necessary since the prescribed reading will be in English.
Access to the Course
A condition for entry into this course is having been accepted for the Masters programme in philosophy.
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching is offered in the form of lectures and/or seminars.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

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

  • Attend at least 70% of the seminars
  • Submit and get approved an outline of the proposed research paper (deadline set by the instructor)
  • Give a presentation of the proposed research paper (scheduled by the instructor)
  • Submit a draft (minimum 3000 words) of the research paper (deadline set by the instructor).
  • Attend a supervision session (scheduled by the instructor)
Forms of Assessment

The final grade is based entirely on a research paper of 4000-6000 words (not including citations, bibliography, etc.) The topic of the paper must be approved in advance by the instructor. The research paper will be assessed at the end of the semester.

Exams in the course are held every semester.

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

The compulsory requirements have to be formally approved in a semester in which there is teaching in the relevant course in order to register for the examination in a semester in which there is no teaching in that course.

Grading Scale
From A to F
Assessment Semester
Spring
Course Evaluation
The course will be evaluated every semester in which it is taught.
Programme Committee
Undervisningsutvalget for fagstudiet i filosofi.
Course Coordinator
Undervisningsutvalget for fagstudiet i filosofi.
Course Administrator
Department of Philosophy