Universität Wien

180085 SE The Philosophy of William James (2017W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 09.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 16.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 23.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 30.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 06.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 13.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 20.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 27.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 04.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 11.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 08.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 15.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 22.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock
  • Monday 29.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal. 2H NIG 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Contents:
This course addresses several interrelated themes in the writings of William James (1842-1910). The course will involve close readings of texts by James, which will serve to illustrate the sophistication, richness, and continuing relevance of his philosophical thought. The course will further involve critically discussing, clarifying, revising, and elaborating philosophical concepts, positions, and arguments extracted from James’s work. Sections from the following texts will be discussed: Principles of Psychology; The Will to Believe; Pragmatism; The Varieties of Religious Experience; Essays in Radical Empiricism.

Methods:
• focused reading of works by James
• individual and group presentations of texts in seminars
• ‘mini-lectures’ by the seminar leader
• detailed critical discussion of texts, themes, concepts and claims
• writing an essay

Aims:
Students will:
• become familiar with central themes in the writings of William James
• learn how to read, interpret, and critically discuss texts by James
• learn how to apply themes in James’s work in the context of contemporary philosophical debates
• learn how to interpret, explain, and critically discuss the work of a particular philosopher
• learn how to pursue original philosophical research, taking the work of a particular philosopher as one’s starting point
• learn how to present philosophical work to an audience
• write an essay in the style of a professional journal article

Assessment and permitted materials

Requirements for passing the course:
• attend nine or more of the thirteen seminars
• give at least one individual or joint seminar presentation on one of the key readings (20%)
• write an essay of approximately 4000 words (including footnotes but excluding references) in the style of an academic journal article, citing at least five relevant sources (80%)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

To pass the course, students must attend at least nine of the seminars, give one presentation and submit an essay of approximately 4000 words in length by 12:00 on Friday 2nd March 2018.

Examination topics

Students will be examined on the basis of core readings discussed in seminars, and will also be expected to demonstrate a familiarity with at least some additional literature by and/or about William James.

Reading list

A reading list can be found on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:36