All programmes > Modern Philosophy: Advanced Course

Modern Philosophy: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0Q15A)

6 ECTSEnglish39 First termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
de Boer Karin
This course is not taught this academic year, but will be taught next year. This course is not taught this academic year, but will be taught next year.
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Aims

The purpose of this course is (1) to acquaint students with important texts and debates in the history of modern philosophy, (2) to deepen their knowledge of developments in modern philosophy and (3) to let them critically engage with the relevant primary and secondary literature.

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

  • give an account of the historical and cultural context of the relevant texts;
  • identify, explain, compare and contrast the ideas and arguments that are put forward in these texts;
  • present their understanding and assessment of elements of the texts and their context in writing and during the discussions in class;
  • present their understanding and assessment of the texts and their context in the form of one or more essays that meet the criteria of an academic paper.

Previous knowledge

Basic knowledge of the history of modern philosophy

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

6 ects. Modern Philosophy: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0Q15a)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture39 First term
de Boer Karin
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Content

The content of the course and the teacher change from year to year. In 2023-24 the course will be taught by Karin de Boer.

This course will be devoted to Hegel’s conception of the modern society in the Philosophy of Right (1821) and to Marx’ early criticism of this text. According to Hegel, philosophy has the task to comprehend the principles and presuppositions of its own time. This task concerns not merely the domain of the sciences, but also the mode of thought that expresses itself in the social and political organization of a society. Hegel considers modern societies to be distinguished from earlier ones by the insight that the human being as such is free. In the Philosophy of Right he analyzes the basic principles, divisions and institutions of the modern state that he considers to follow from this insight. From the very outset this work has been the subject of criticism, because it was considered to affirm and even glorify the conservative Prussian state of his days. Over the last few decades various researchers have shown that this criticism is largely unwarranted. During the course we will try to determine to what extent Hegel legitimizes the political situation of his time and to what extent he criticizes the latter. Secondly, we will discuss parts of the texts in which the early Marx develops his influential criticism of Hegel and the Prussian state (1841/44). Although Marx’ reading of Hegel is problematic, it constitutes an important attempt to bring out the limits of Hegel’s political philosophy.

Course material

G.W.F Hegel, Grundlinien der Philosophie des Rechts (Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, 2004) or: Elements of the Philosophy of Right, translated by H.B. Nisbet (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991)

The German and English versions of the obligatory sections of Hegel’s text, as well as other obligatory texts, will be made available on Toledo.

Format: more information

Lecture and discussion. Students are required to read the assigned texts before they are discussed in class and to participate in the discussions.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Modern Philosophy: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W2Q15a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Oral, Paper/Project, Participation during contact hours

Explanation


The evaluation consists in participation (10%), three small written assignments (25%) and a final essay of 3000-3500 words (65%). One insufficient partial grade can be tolerated, with the exception of the grade obtained for the final essay. In case the grade obtained for the final essay is 9/20 or lower, the final grade cannot be higher than 9/20. All assignments must be submitted in order to pass. Students are required to meet with the teacher during the exam period to receive feedback on their final essays. This meeting is obligatory but does not affect the grade.

The student is required to inform him- or herself about the faculty guidelines for papers and bibliographical referencing and about the faculty guidelines with regard to plagiarism.

Information about retaking exams

Same as first examination chance. Sufficient partial grades remain valid for the third examination period. However, participation cannot be retaken during the third examination period.