Homeall Events

4609375: CF_Fundamentals of Philosophy

back to overview
Semester:WS 18/19
Type:Module/Course/Examination
Language:English
ECTS-Credits:3.0
Scheduled in semester:1-6
Semester Hours per Week / Contact Hours:28.0 L / 21.0 h
Self-directed study time:69.0 h

Module coordination/Lecturers

Curricula

Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration (01.09.2012)
Master's degree programme in Architecture (01.09.2014)
Bachelor's degree programme in Architecture (01.09.2014)
Master's degree programme in Information Systems (01.09.2015)
Master's degree programme in Finance (01.09.2015)
Master's degree programme in Entrepreneurship (01.09.2015)
Master's degree programme in Entrepreneurship and Management (01.09.2018)

Description

Philosophy is a discipline that attempts to tackle big questions about life by means of a method based on argumentation and critical thinking. As an introduction to philosophy, this course propose to examine following questions:

  • The nature of philosophy - what are philosophy's main areas and what distinguishes philosophy from other disciplines
  • The history of philosophy - what are decisive moments in the history of philosophy
  • The objects of philosophical investigation - what are the central questions philosophy raises
  • The methods of philosophy - how does philosophy deal with its objects of investigation
  • The goal of philosophy - what does philosophy want to achieve
  • The relevance of philosophy - why do we need to study philosophy

This course will also offer students the opportunity to learn basics of argumentation - kind of arguments, analysis of arguments, logic, etc. - and to train critical thinking - ability to think clearly, rationally, and coherently.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  • Acquire basic knowledge on philosophy in general and on core philosophical issues in particular;
  • Familiarize with theories of some major past and contemporary philosophers
  • Understand how philosophical-theoretical insights can be used to address practical and concrete life situations;
  • Acquire skills necessary to read and write philosophical works

Qualifications

Lectures Method

Lecture, reading assignments, discussions, and a written examination.

Admission Requirements

A genuine interest in philosophy

Literature

  • Edward Craig, Philosophy. A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: OUP, 2002.)
  • Aloysius P. Martinich, Philosophical Writing. An Introduction, 4. Ed. (Oxford: Wiley Blackwell, 2016)
  • Thomas Nagel, What Does It All Mean? A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy (Oxford: OUP, 1987).


Relevant Web-resources will be available on Moodle.

Exam Modalities

Assessment tasks:
Participation in class (30%)
Reading assignments (30%)
Presentations (40%)

Compulsory attendance (min. 80%)

Assessment

Passed / Failed

  • Course based on continuous assessment, details see under "assessment".
  • Meeting attendance obligations and active participation are an essential pre-requisite for successfully completing a course based on continuous assessment.
  • Attendance must be proven for at least 80% of the stipulated contact time. Responsibility for checking and providing written proof of this obligatory attendance lies with the course lecturer who is required to store this information at least until the end of the semester.
  • In the case of absenteeism that exceeds the specified limits of absence, a medical certificate is required. Responsibility lies with the head of the Coordination Office for Cross-Faculty Elective Subjects to approve the reason for the student's failure to attend.
  • Participation in other activities of the university are not recognized as an excused absence.

Comments

Cross-faculty elective subject:
Notice the special Multi-stage allocation process.

Exams

  • P-FU_Fundamentals of Philosophy (WS 18/19, in Planung)