All programmes > Philosophical Anthropology: Advanced Course

Philosophical Anthropology: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0Q12A)

6 ECTSEnglish39 Second termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Micali Stefano
This course is taught this academic year, but not next year. This course is taught this academic year, but not next year.
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Aims

The aim of the course is a critical discussion on definition of human nature in the context of contemporary continental philosophy. Special attention will be given on the philosophical analysis of the unstable relation between normality and anomaly and on the notion of “common sense”. Other disciplines (such as psychopathology, sociology, and cultural anthropology) will be referred to in order to investigate the anthropological dimension.

At the end of the course the students should be able to:

  • analyze a given philosophical text, identifying the key ideas and evaluating the argumentative structure;
  • clearly articulate their own thoughts about and develop their own critical point of view towards these ideas;
  • defend their own point of view in a productive discussion with the other students and with the teacher;
  • have a clear awareness of the relevance of an interdisciplinary approach to a philosophical discussion in the area of philosophical anthropology;
  • write a philosophical paper on the main subject of the course.

Previous knowledge

Students have successfully completed an introductory course in phenomenology on the BA level.

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

6 ects. Philosophical Anthropology: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0Q12a)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture39 Second term
Micali Stefano
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Content

This seminar investigates central themes of philosophical anthropology on the basis of a selection of primary texts. The themes treated in the seminar will vary from year to year. The selection of primary texts will accordingly vary depending on the chosen theme.

Content 2022-23

An Investigation of the Limits of Subjectivity

 

 

Course material

More information on the selection of texts will be provided at the beginning of the seminar.

The following works are recommended as introductory readings for the course:

Fuchs Thomas, In Defense of the Human Being, Oxford, 2021.

Merleau-Ponty, Phenomenology of Perception, Routledge, 1962.

Format: more information

The course combines a close reading of texts, class discussion, and lectures on the selected topic. All students are expected to read the texts assigned in advance. Each meeting is devoted to the discussion of a particular text (+/- 20/30 pages). At each meeting, a student will give an oral presentation introducing the key ideas of this particular text. After the presentation a critical discussion on these key points will follow.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Philosophical Anthropology: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W2Q12a)

Type : Continuous assessment without exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Paper/Project, Participation during contact hours

Explanation


The evaluation is based on two requirements:

1) Participation consisting of a. contribution to class discussion and b. presentation on assigned texts and/or suggested secondary literature. If needed, the presentation can be replaced by a short written report. (20%).
2) One paper on the topic of the seminar of max. 5,000 words, with advance submission of paper abstract and bibliography (80%). The paper is due after the end of the course. The deadline for submission will be communicated on the syllabus. Late submissions are not permitted unless evidence of exceptional circumstances is provided (e.g., medical certificates). The paper will be marked on four criteria: structure, clarity of expression, knowledge of the texts discussed in class and command over philosophical technical language, and critical discussion without jargon.

Information about retaking exams

The second examination attempt is limited to (re)submitting the paper. Participation cannot be retaken. Participation grades will be carried over.