FIL4561 – Ancient Philosophy and its Key Concepts
Course description
Course content
The course is centered around certain philosophical works, periods and/or ideas in the history of philosophy from its inception in roughly 600 BC up until approximately 700 AD (through overlapping seminars with FIL4560). The focus of the course and authors who will be studied in it will vary from semester to semester. In addition, the course gives an introduction to the foundational philosophical concepts in ancient philosophy and the Latin and Greek terms that were used to express them. Interpretive methods and challenges will also be addressed, and students will be introduced to the most important online and library resources for the study of ancient philosophy.
Learning outcome
When you have completed this course, you will:
- have a thorough understanding of the text(s) and author(s) that were included in the reading list
- be able to discuss the course`s philosophical theme in an independent and critical way, drawing both primary and secondary sources
- be able to take a stand on the philosophical theme in a relatively independent manner
You will also be able to:
- translate and interpret central conceptual terminology in ancient philosophy from both Greek and Latin
- understand the most important translational and interpretive questions connected to these concepts
- discuss the historical development of translations of philosophical vocabulary (for example, from Greek to Latin to English)
- use lexicons, sources, textual apparatus and online resources in ancient philosophy
Admission to the course
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.
Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with FIL4560 – History of Philosophy up to 1600.
Teaching
A part of the teaching (12 sessions) takes place together with FIL4560. In addition 7 sessions are offered only for the students following FIL4561. If there are less than three students registered for the course, these extra sessions may be offered as guided reading.
Active participation is expected in discussions as well as a regular presence at the seminars.
The course has the following compulsury tuition avtivities:
Weekly 1 page assignments which you must submit a minimum of 8 out of 10 times. These are based on the FIL4560 syllabus.
How to apply for valid absence from obligatory activity / mandatory presence.
Examination
The exam consists of two separate parts, a term paper and a 4-hours written school exam. The term paper should be of minimum 5 and maximum 10 pages (2250 - 4500 words), references and foot notes not included and is to be based on the syllabus and readings in FIL4560. You will be offered supervision by the teacher in FIL4560. The term paper counts 60% towards the final grade, while the school exams counts 40%.
Examination support material
No means of help allowed at the school exam.
Language of examination
You may write your exam 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.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.