Universität Wien
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180095 SE What is life? (2018W)

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

  • Wednesday 10.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 17.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 24.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 31.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 07.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 14.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 21.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 28.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 05.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 12.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 09.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 16.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 23.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 30.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Content:
The nature and origin of life has been thoroughly questioned as a result of huge theoretical and technological developments in biological sciences during the last decades. New exciting fields of life sciences such as synthetic biology and astrobiology have emerged. The course will provide an overview into the discussions of what is life. The emphasis is on the contemporary discussions, and philosophical and interdisciplinary perspectives on life. The topics include various definitions of life, biological individuality, synthetic life, and alien life.

Methods:
- close reading and critical discussion of the literature (concepts, themes, arguments)
- individual and group presentations
- short lectures by the instructor
- writing a thesis-driven essay on a specific theme discussed in the course

Objectives:
By taking this course the students will learn past and present definitions of and theoretical approaches to life, and analyse them from the philosophical perspective. This goal includes understanding the different theoretical, societal and epistemological implications of different notions of life. Another broad aim of the course is to encourage students to familiarize themselves with and critically reflect on science and technology. The thesis-driven essay will train students in academic writing.

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment:
- an essay, presentations, and active seminar attendance

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Requirements, and assessment criteria:
- active participation to the seminars (30 %)
- give one individual or joint seminar presentation on one of the core readings (20%)
- write a thesis-driven essay in English (2000 words, excluding references) (50 %)

Examination topics

Reading list

Readings:
The readings consist of scientific articles and book chapters. The readings will be posted on Moodle unless they are freely available on the Internet.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:36