FIL2700 – Major - History of Philosophy Until the 17th Century
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course is based on the introductory course FIL1005 – Innf?ring i filosofihistorie frem til 1800. The topics of the course are works/epochs/schools/ideas in the history of philosophy from around 600 BC until the Renaissance. Texts and focus may vary, but important names will be Heraklit, Parmenides, Sokrates, Platon, Aristoteles, hellenistic philosophers, neo-platonists, Augustin, Boethius, Thomas Aquinas, Ockham, Montaigne and Galieo.
Specific topic Spring 2021:
The Political Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle: Republic and Politics
Plato and Aristotle are generally regarded as the founders of political philosophy, and their works still exert significant influence, although they are also subject to criticism. In this course we will look at their main works, Republic and Politics, supplemented with select passages from other works.
Themes to be discussed include:
- The nature and tasks of politics
- The relationship between individual and community
- The forms and ranking of political constitutions
- Ideal/utopia vs. reality
- Degeneration and the threats to political stability
Learning outcome
After having completed the course, you are expected to:
- have a good knowledge of the core texts of the course
- have a certain knowledge of the debate concerning the topic
- be able to describe the main aspects of the topic in a consistent and clear manner
- be able to discuss the topic in a rather independent and critical manner
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Overlapping courses
5 credits overlap with FIL2501 – Fordypning - Filosofihistorie (discontinued)
Teaching
24 hours of seminars and lectures.
Teaching takes place throughout the semester with two hours per week. There are two compulsory tuition activities:
- Two written assignments each of max 2 pages à 2300 characters
Information about deadlines etc will be published in Canvas.
These activities are only valid for one semester.
This is how you apply for a valid absence from compulsory activities/compulsory attendance.
Examination
An essay of 10 pages à 2300 characters exclusive bibliography.
You submit your essay in Canvas.
When you write an essay you are entitled to receive individual tutoring. However, this requires that you submit a draft to your teacher. An exact deadline for handing in the draft will be given by the teacher during the seminar. In order to maintain the right to sit the exam, all compulsory tuition activities must be approved.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.