FIL4552 – Recent history of philosophy: Continental philosophy

Course content

The content of the course may vary on occasion, but its point of departure is the heritage of Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Marx, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Freud and Husserl.

All these thinkers had a major impact on the European continent and together they animated the currents that have influenced European philosophy ever since: phenomenology, existentialism, and post-structuralism represented by amongst others Heidegger, Sartre, Foucault and Derrida. A common collective term for this tradition is “continental philosophy”, even though not all philosophers on the continent have embraced this tradition and even though it has many adherents outside of the continent.

The course will accentuate the historical connections of continental philosophy and highlight the points in common with British and American philosophy.

Learning outcome

After having completed the course, you are expected to:

  •  have a good knowledge of the core texts of the course as well as secondary litterature
  •  have a good 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 an 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.

Only master degree students in philosophy can formally enroll, and take the course for credits. The 30-credits version of the course is available only for students who choose to write a MA-essay, FIL4091, instead of a Master's Thesis, FIL4090, and therefore need further 30 credits.

Overlapping courses

  • 5 credits overlap with FIL1502