Research Theme in Political Philosophy

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

This advanced course will focus on central topics in political philosophy such as social justice, global justice, human rights, liberty and liberalism, the politics of identity, the role of the state, the value of democracy, politics and power, or political obligation and disobedience. The aim of the course is to provide a deep knowledge and understanding of debates concerning issues of relevance to contemporary political life.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the student should have:

  • An overview of some central themes and debates in political philosophy
  • A familiarity with key scholarly literature related to these themes and debates
  • An understanding of concepts and arguments relevant to these themes and debates
  • An understanding of how these themes and debates connect to each other and to current political issues
  • A deep understanding of at least one of the themes covered in the course, including familiarity with an expanded range of related scholarly literature.

Skills:

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

  • Describe key concepts, positions, theories, and traditions in political philosophy
  • Recognize the role these concepts, positions, theories, and traditions play in scholarly debates in political philosophy
  • Reconstruct and evaluate arguments advanced in scholarly literature in support of different positions or theories in political philosophy
  • Recognize implications of political philosophy for political practice
  • Reflect on, and form well-reasoned judgements about themes and debates in political philosophy
  • Communicate understanding and ideas related to the course content both orally and in writing
  • Formulate research questions related to the themes and 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 scholarly literature.

Competence:

After completing the course, the student should have competence to:

  • Participate in scholarly debates in political philosophy
  • Contribute philosophical insights to public debates about current political issues.

ECTS Credits

10 SP

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
Bachelor's degree with 90 ECTS. specialization in philosophy or equivalent.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Good English skills are essential, since one must expect that a lot of the syllabus is in English.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

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FIL349 overlaps 10 credits with FIL249

Access to the Course
This course is open to students who have been admitted to the Master's programme in philosophy. All other students require permission in order to register for this course. Please contact studieveileder@fof.uib.no to apply.
Teaching and learning methods

Students will spend approximately 20 hours in class over the course of the semester, and approximately 10 hours per week outside of class working on course-related tasks. Class time will involve lectures or presentations by the instructor, discussions, and group work.

If fewer than four students are registered, the number of lectures/seminars may be reduced. The students will be offered individual or group teaching.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
  • Students must submit a proposal and draft of their semester assignment. Deadlines are set by the department.
  • Students must attend a supervision session with the instructor.
  • Attendance in class sessions is required. Students may not miss more than 6 hours of scheduled class time (3 class sessions) without a valid and documented excuse.
  • Students must complete at least 5 formative assignments (around 500 words each). Deadlines are set by the department.
  • Forms of Assessment

    An essay of between 4000 and 6000 words (not including content list, literature list etc). The topic of the assignment must be approved by the subject teacher beforehand. The assignment will be delivered digitally and will be censored at the end of the semester.

    The exam is arranged at the end of the semester in which the course is taught. In the semester following, the mid-semester exam will be arranged.

    The compulsory work requirements must be approved before the examination can be taken in the course.

    Compulsory work requirements must be approved in one semester with teaching in order to be able to register for an exam in a semester without teaching.

    Grading Scale
    Grading scale from A to F
    Assessment Semester

    Autumn / Spring

    The compulsory work requirements must be approved before the examination can be taken in the course.

    Reading List
    The list of literature is made available on uib.no June 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester.
    Course Evaluation
    The course is evaluated at regular intervals.
    Programme Committee
    The teaching committee for the professional study in philosophy.
    Course Coordinator
    The teaching committee for the professional study in philosophy.
    Course Administrator
    Department of Philosophy and First Semester.
    Department
    Department of Philosophy