Theoretical Philosophy: Introductory Course

This is a freestanding course.

The introductory course in theoretical philosophy consists of three compulsory components: Classical Problems, Analytic Philosophy, and Theory of Knowledge. In addition, either the component Introduction to Philosophy (for students who have not previously studied the equivalent component in the Introductory Course: Practical Philosophy) or the component Complementary Studies in Philosophy (for students who have studied the Introduction to Philosophy component in the Introductory Course: Practical Philosophy) is taken.

Introduction to Philosophy

The component demonstrates the nature of specifically philosophical questions and philosophical reasoning and provides a basic philosophical toolbox in the form of elementary argumentation analysis, logic, rhetoric and semantics, as well as an overview of the areas of philosophy. The component is thus devoted to both skills training and knowledge orientation. Theoretical overviews are combined with exercises on argument evaluation, concept analysis, definition theory, interpretation, etc.

Complementary Study in Philosophy

The focus of the component may vary between semesters. In the component, basic philosophical tools are applied to historical or contemporary texts.

Classical Problems

The component provides an introduction to the history of Western philosophy from antiquity to the 19th century. The presentation focuses on philosophical issues that have had a decisive historical impact and are still relevant today. The component exercises the students' ability to comprehend historical philosophical texts through close reading, critical analysis, and evaluation of arguments.

Analytic Philosophy

The component introduces the analytic-philosophical tradition's treatment of central sub-areas within theoretical philosophy (philosophy of language, philosophy of science, metaphysics, and philosophy of mind). A selection of historically important texts by analytic philosophers is studied.

Theory of Knowledge

The component deals with central problems within analytic-philosophical epistemology, including social epistemology: how knowledge should be defined, what different kinds of knowledge there are, whether it is possible to know anything, what it is possible to know something about, how it is possible to know things about it, and what role social factors play for who is able to know what about what.

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

Knowledge and understanding

• account for and use central theoretical-philosophical concepts,
• recount essential aspects of issues within the main areas of theoretical philosophy, both historically and in contemporary terms,

Skills and abilities

• interpret, evaluate, and rationally reconstruct argumentative text in general and philosophical text in particular,
• place arguments and theories in a larger theoretical context,

Judgement and intellectual approach

• in a probing and reasoning manner, assess the strength of entire theories and theory formations, especially in relation to alternative theories/theory formations,
• at a basic level, clearly distinguish between opinions and rationally grounded beliefs,
• demonstrate an open and non-dogmatic probing attitude towards both historical and contemporary theory formations.

The teaching is provided in the form of lectures, exercises, seminars, and individual work or group work, with access to teacher supervision, as well as presentation of the assignments to the other course participants.

Language of instruction: Swedish and English

The course is examined through written or oral exams. The grading teacher can request the student to complete a make-up assignment. Mandatory attendance at lectures may be required for the examination of certain learning objectives. In case of absence to an extent that makes it difficult to examine the learning objectives, the examiner has the right to replace the examination that requires mandatory attendance at lectures with a written or oral assignment.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

In the course, one of the grades Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G), and Fail (U) is given.

To receive the grade Pass for the entire course, at least the grade Pass is required on course modules covering 30 credits.

To receive the grade Pass with Distinction for the entire course, the grade Pass with Distinction is required on course modules covering at least 15 credits and the grade Pass with Distinction or Pass on the remaining course modules.

Students who participate in or have completed the course are given the opportunity to anonymously express their experiences and opinions on it in a course evaluation. A compilation of the course evaluation and the course responsible teacher's reflection is made available to the students within a reasonable time after the end of the course. The next time the course is given, the compilation and any measures taken are presented.