All programmes > Philosophical Anthropology: Continental Approaches

Philosophical Anthropology: Continental Approaches (B-KUL-W0W28A)

6 ECTSEnglish39 First termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Grohmann Till
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Aims

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with important approaches, key concepts, and central themes in continental philosophical anthropology, and to enable them for critical discussion and participation in the field.

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

  • indicate which philosophical issues are at play in a given text;
  • reflect on their presuppositions about a given text;
  • consult secondary literature in other languages than English if possible and appropriate;
  • communicate the argumentative structure and interpretation of a longer philosophical text within an agreed period of time in a clear and convincing manner and formulate a personal opinion;
  • defend verbally, in a clear and convincing manner, some arguments for and / or against a particular position;
  • distinguish and compare different historical and systematic approaches central to continental philosophical anthropology, including phenomenology, existentialism, and post-structuralism;
  • summarize, explain, and critically evaluate the main approaches and key concepts of continental philosophical anthropology;
  • use relevant philosophical language and concepts in formulating their own arguments concerning some of the main themes of continental philosophical anthropology, such as human subjectivity, the human condition, embodiment, self-other relations, ‘home-word’-‘alien-world’ relation, the role of affectivity and moods for human experience and behavior;
  • write an academic paper and publically discuss differing philosophical positions to a professional academic standard;
  • assess differing notions of human subjectivity and of the human condition, including transcendental, historical, and cultural and/or gender specific ones;
  • explain the relevance of continental philosophy for philosophical anthropology and in relation to non-philosophical disciplines and interdisciplinary research;
  • apply their knowledge in a critical discussion of main positions in contemporary debates concerning humanism, anti-humanism, and post-humanism.

Previous knowledge

Introductory level knowledge of Western Philosophy, especially in the European tradition, is required. Very good knowledge of English and basic academic writing as well as argumentative skills are expected. Students must be prepared to reflect critically on their own assumptions and to participate actively in class discussion.

Identical courses

This course is identical to the following courses:
W0EA5A : Philosophical Anthropology (No longer offered this academic year)

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

6 ects. Philosophical Anthropology: Continental Approaches (B-KUL-W0W28a)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture39 First term
Grohmann Till
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Content

This course introduces students to important approaches, key concepts, and central themes in continental philosophical anthropology.

Both historical and systematic approaches central to continental philosophical anthropology will be given an advanced introduction, including phenomenology, existentialism, and post-structuralism.

Main themes of continental philosophical anthropology will be discussed, such as human subjectivity, the human condition, embodiment, self-other relations, ‘home-word’ -‘alien-world’ relation, the role of affectivity and moods for human experience and behavior.

Main positions in contemporary debates concerning humanism, anti-humanism, and post-humanism will be introduced for the sake of critical discussion.

Students will learn to apply differing notions of human subjectivity and of the human condition, including transcendental, historical, and cultural and/or gender specific ones.

Philosophical approaches will be set in relation to non-philosophical disciplines and interdisciplinary research.

In 2024-2025 the seminar will be taught by Tsun Kan Cheng and Minseok Kim.

Course material

A course reader with primary texts will be made available for both the lecture and the seminar component of the course.

Format: more information

The course consists of (1) lectures (2 hrs per week) that deliver an introduction into the field of Philosophical Anthropology from a continental perspective AND a (2) seminar (2 hrs every two weeks) on a specific theme within continental philosophical anthropology. Students are required actively to participate in both parts of the course. Depending on the size of the group, participation in the seminar might include a brief presentation, a written report, or equivalent. One short paper (max. 1500 words) will be due during the semester, based on the material discussed in the seminar, for which feedback will be given on content as well as on argumentative and writing skills.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Philosophical Anthropology: Continental Approaches (B-KUL-W2W28a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written, Paper/Project, Presentation, Participation during contact hours
Type of questions : Open questions
Learning material : None

Explanation


There will be a written exam during the examination period based on the material introduced in the lecture course (50%). If the situation with regard to corona does not allow for an on campus exam, an alternative evaluation method will be conceived. This alternative has to be approved by the POC and will be communicated to the students on Toledo.

One short paper (max. 1500 words) will be due during the semester, based on the material discussed in the seminar (30%), for which feedback will be given on content as well as on argumentative and writing skills. Students are expected to inform themselves about the faculty guidelines for papers and bibliographical referencing and about the faculty guidelines with regard to plagiarism.

Class participation (20%) is essential, especially in the seminar, and might – depending on the size of the group – include a brief presentation, a written report, or equivalent. The failure to submit any one of the parts of the evaluation will result in an NA.

Information about retaking exams

A failed exam or a failed paper must be repeated in the third exam period. Only a failed exam or failed paper may be repeated. Participation grades are carried over and cannot be repeated. In the case that a student re-takes the course in the following academic year, all elements of the examination must be redone, and they must be clearly and substantially different from earlier submissions.