Universität Wien

180141 SE Central texts and topics in practical philosophy (2020W)

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

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

*Special arrangements pertaining to COVID-19 public health regulations:* Depending on public health regulations, the seminar may have to take place in a hybrid online/offline format, or entirely online. The assessment remains the same, and we will use the same time slot for online sessions in which we reproduce the seminar setup with plenary and small group discussions. The seminar sessions will also be transmitted online, so if due to health concerns or travel restrictions, you are unable to attend any in-person seminar sessions, then you can participate in this way.

Thursday 08.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 15.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 22.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 29.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 05.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 12.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 19.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 26.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 03.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 10.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 17.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 07.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 14.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 21.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock
Thursday 28.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 3B NIG 3.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar is as fast-track introduction for Masters students with no or only little background in practical philosophy. The aim of the seminar is to introduce you to the major sub-disciplines of practical philosophy, such as
- applied ethics,
- moral theory,
- applied political theory,
- political theory,
- metaethics,
- social ontology,
- feminist and other critical approaches, e.g. postcolonial or race theory.

At the end of the seminar, you will be able to
- explain which topics and questions the sub-disciplines of practical philosophy are about,
- locate new questions within these sub-disciplines,
- focus your investigations on the most sub-discipline most suitable for your questions, and set aside related questions from other sub-disciplines,
- independently find further study material related to each sub-discipline as the need arises.

The seminar is designed specifically for the MA in Philosophy and Economics, but is open to other MA students who find that they need additional foundations in practical philosophy. The seminar is not intended for students who have completed substantial study in several of the above sub-disciplines - it is an MA-level foundational seminar, not a seminar that builds on existing foundations. In large part, the seminar operates in the so-called "Analytic" tradition of philosophy. If your training in practical philosophy has been mostly in the "Continental" tradition, you may also find this seminar helpful.

Due to the role of the seminar in the MA Philosophy and Economics, exemplary topics focus on economics, where possible.

The seminar is taught and assessed in English, and will feature extensive small group discussions. In preparation of each seminar, you will read the assigned core text and complete some short preparatory reading tasks and other research exercises on Moodle.

Assessment and permitted materials

The seminar is assessed through two written assignments and the weekly preparation tasks:

1) An essay outline of 300-400 words (including bibliography), in which you propose an essay topic and structured outline on any topic from the seminar. Weight: 20%. Deadline: December 1, 2020, 23:59.
2) An essay of 1500-1700 words (including bibliography), on any topic from the seminar. The essay may, but need not, follow the essay outline or tackle the outline topic. Weight: 60%. Deadline: January 26, 2021, 23:59.
3) Weekly tasks. These are marked for completeness, not for correctness: what matters here is that you have seriously thought about the tasks and prepared for the seminar.\linebreak Weight: 20%. Deadline: Each teaching week at noon on the day before the seminar. Tasks that are late without authorisation can at most score a grade of 4 (mere pass).

The essay outline and essay are to be submitted on Moodle, preferably as pdf file, with all identifying information (name, student ID) in the text, file name, and file metadata removed to facilitate anonymous marking. Delayed submissions get a marking penalty of +0.2 for each day (24h) of lateness, although this penalty does not lead to a failing grade. If your submission is delayed for reasons outside of your control, e.g. illness, please contact me via email as soon as possible.

I will only look at and mark assessments after the deadline, irrespective of how early you submit, and will then mark them within four weeks. If you need your mark earlier, e.g. if you are on an exchange semester, please explicitly request this by email to felix.pinkert@univie.ac.at

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

A positive evaluation requires students to achieve a pass grade (4) in all three assessment components, and to actively attend the seminar. Two unauthorized absences will be excused. A pass grade in the weekly tasks requires a pass average and that the tasks have been completed on time for at least 60% of the seminars.

Examination topics

You can write your essay outline and essay on any topics linked to the seminar themes and texts. You are encouraged to develop their own research topics, and to consult with me on your writing plans.

Reading list

The reading list is posted on Moodle, and contains selected historical and contemporary texts in practical philosophy.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Sa 08.07.2023 00:17