FIL4081 – Philosophical Method and Practice
Course description
Course content
The course is an obligatory part of the MA program, taken in its first semester. The course helps you develop the skills that are required to do philosophy at an advanced level. It covers a variety of philosophical methods with an eye to practical applications. Particular emphasis is placed on developing writing and project development skills, and on preparing for the MA essay (FIL4091) or the MA thesis (FIL4090). The course also emphasizes other practical skills, such as making oral presentations, contributing to seminars and conferences, organizing discussion groups, and popularizing philosophy beyond academia. You will get an introduction to philosophical research. The exact course contents and emphasis may vary from year to year.
Learning outcome
When you have completed this course, you will
have learnt to reflect on your own and other people`s approach to philosophical writing, argumentation, and method
have developed writing and project development skills
have developed general skills for oral presentations, contributing to to seminars and workshops, organizing discussions groups and popularizing philosophy beyond academia
be prepared to write an outline of a possible MA project which will serve as a base for later work on the MA essay or thesis and based on which you will be assigned a supervisor
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.
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 FIL4080 – Thesis seminar in philosophy (discontinued).
Teaching
There will be 12 double sessions with seminars.
The course has the following compulsory activities:
- Mandatory attendance at the seminars. You must be present at least 9 out of 12 times.
- You are required to submit a text of 1 page responding to one of the readings for each week (though not for sessions devoted to practical tasks such as the library visit or the session on writing a research proposal). The texts are to be submitted in Canvas by 12:00 the day before the seminar. The purpose is for you to briefly analyse the paper’s thesis and to pose a question or make an observation on the paper’s argumentation method and structure. Your response paper must therefore have two parts: (1) analysis and (2) your question/argument, and you are to use about the same number of words on each part. The texts will be made available to the professor holding the master class prior to her or his session.
- Brief text in which you describe what you wish to write about in your Masters thesis. A supervisor will be assigned based on your description.
How to apply for valid absence from obligatory activity / mandatory presence.
Examination
A portfolio exam which consists of the following parts:
- Revised version of 6 of the response papers (1-2 pages each)
- "Conference poster" presenting one of the papers in a poster format (digital version of the poster only, you do not need to print the poster or give a presentation of the poster)
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- 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.