Required in stage
First term
Second term
Both terms
Not organised
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Language of instruction
Duration
Identical coursesPhilosophy of Mind / Philosophy of Language: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0Q24A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
N. 
This course is taught this academic year, but not next year.Aims
At the end of the course, the student will:
- have advanced knowledge and understanding of some key issues in contemporary Philosophy of Mind and Philosophy of Language.
- be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of advanced texts in the areas of Philosophy of Mind and Language covered in the module.
- be able to present key views and arguments and develop original critical assessments of those arguments orally and in writing.
- be able to transpose concepts and analyses across disciplinary boundaries.
Previous knowledge
Successful completion of an introductory course into the Philosophy of Mind and the Philosophy of Language
Is included in these courses of study
- Master in de wijsbegeerte (Leuven) 60 ects.
- Master of Philosophy (Leuven) 60 ects.
- Research Master of Philosophy (Abridged Programme) (Leuven) 60 ects.
- Research Master of Philosophy (Abridged Programme) (Leuven) (Major Analytic Philosophy) 60 ects.
- Research Master of Philosophy (Leuven) (Major Analytic Philosophy) 120 ects.
- Research Master of Philosophy (Leuven) (Major Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy) 120 ects.
- Research Master of Philosophy (Leuven) (Major Metaphysics and Philosophy of Culture) 120 ects.
- Research Master of Philosophy (Leuven) (Major Phenomenology and Continental Philosophy) 120 ects.
- Research Master of Philosophy (Leuven) (Major Political Philosophy and Ethics) 120 ects.
- Courses for Exchange Students Institute of Philosophy (Leuven)
Activities
6 ects. Philosophy of Mind / Philosophy of Language: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0Q24a)
Content
In academic year 2024-2025, the course is taught by Andra Meneganzin and the theme will be: The Evolution of Minds in Comparative Focus.
This course explores key questions in contemporary Philosophy of Mind and Language, informed by recent advances in empirical research. How unique is Homo sapiens mind? What complex cognitive capacities did other human species share with us? How can we tell from present and past evidence? How to escape anthropocentrism and Sapiens-centrism in comparing cognitive capacities and their evolution across human and non-human taxa? The course will cover philosophical issues related to framing the evolution and understanding of other minds, comparative methodology, to animal communication theories and the evolution of human cognition and language from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Each class will consist of a seminar part, where assigned readings will be discussed, and a lecture part, introducing essential concepts and philosophical themes related to the following week’s reading.
Students will receive a syllabus for this course in the first class.
Course material
Original papers by contemporary authors and handouts or PowerPoint presentations. All material will be made available electronically in Toledo.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Philosophy of Mind / Philosophy of Language: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W2Q24a)
Explanation
The evaluation consists of (i) participation during seminar discussions, (ii) a mid-term paper, and (iii) an on-campus oral exam.
Participation in class counts towards 20% of the total grade. The paper counts towards 30% of the total grade. The oral exam counts towards 50% of the total grade.
Students who did not submit the paper or did not take the oral exam will receive a total grade ‘NA’ (not taken the exam).
Information about retaking exams
Both the paper and the on-campus oral exam can be retaken in the third examination period by those students who received an NA or an insufficient grade. Participation cannot be retaken.