Norwegian Philosophy
About the course
Mandatory course in the master’s program in philosophy. Can also be taken as a single course.
This is an advanced course in modern history of philosophy that facilitates the study of Norwegian thinkers and thinkers situated in Norway. It offers an in-depth exploration of some central Norwegian philosophers, and some broader questions concerning philosophy in a Norwegian context.
The focus of the course may vary according to the areas of expertise of the lecture(s) and the students’ interests. It may for example cover philosophers such as Peter Wessel Zapffe, Arne Næss, Else Wiestad, Jon Elster and Toril Moi, and may discuss questions such as:
- How do the ideas of the Norwegian philosophers that are covered in the course relate to those of philosophers pursuing similar ideas elsewhere?
- What philosophical themes are treated in the works of notable Norwegian authors like Sigrid Undset, Henrik Ibsen, Cora Sandel, Dag Solstad, Jon Fosse and Karl Ove Knausgård?
- In which ways are philosophers and philosophy influenced by time and place, and how does philosophy shape our ideas about our time and place?
- Is it useful to speak about "Norwegian philosophy" as such? And can we speak of a separate Sami or indigenous philosophy in Norway?
Admission requirements
Bachelor’s degree with a specialization of at least 80 ECTS in philosophy or equivalent. A basic knowledge of history of philosophy is recommended.
Application code 9371
Objectives of the course
Knowledge
The student
- has knowledge of central themes and issues related to Norwegian philosophy and its historical development.
- has knowledge of central themes and debates taken by thinkers situated in Norway and understand their relation and significance within the broader history of philosophy.
- knows central meta-ethical discussions in Norwegian philosophy and history of philosophy.
- is familiar with the differences between philosophy and the history of ideas.
Skills
The student can
- discuss the relationship between philosophy as a modern, professionalized discipline and philosophy understood as a view of life.
- assess the strengths and weaknesses of different views on philosophy.
- work independently with the application of philosophical knowledge.
- apply the knowledge to other fields of study and to other parts of philosophy.
- communicate their research results to a specialized and to a general audience.
Competence
The student is able to
- convey key subject matter to both specialists and non-specialists both orally and in written.
- apply knowledge and management skills to complete complex assignments.
- place and apply philosophical knowledge in a local context and contribute relevant input in specific contexts.
- distinguish between philosophy as a place-dependent and philosophy as a universal discipline.
Prerequisites
Anbefalte forkunnskaper
FIL-1030 History of Philosophy I, FIL-1031 History of Philosophy II, FIL-2050 Philosophy of life
Teaching methods
Language of instruction and examination
Lecturing: English
Exam: English, Norwegian, or other Scandinavian language
Schedule
The schedules are normally finalized and published well in advance of the start of the semester, often a few weeks beforehand. This gives students the opportunity to organize their studies and prepare for upcoming activities.
It is recommended to check the schedule regularly, as changes may occur.
Information to incoming exchange students
Examination
| Oral exam | Duration: 30 Minutes Weighting: 1/1 |
Grade: A–E, fail F |
| Term paper | Weighting: 0/1 |
Grade: A–E, fail F |
To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements
| Written essay/presentation | Grade: Approved – not approved |
Everything you need to know about before, during, and after the exam; registration, absence, appeals, and diplomas: UiT Exams homepage
More info about the coursework requirements
The student must either complete a written essay (1200 - 1600 words (3-4 pages)) or give an oral presentation (15 minutes) of the topic and problem for the term paper within a given deadline.More info about the assignment
Individual term paper of 3200 - 4000 words (8-10 pages). The topic and problem for the term paper are clarified with the lecturer(s)
Your term paper is the foundation of the exam. It is graded on how well you:
- Show understanding of the relevant knowledge and theories.
- Build convincing and well-structured arguments.
- Present your ideas clearly and precisely.
More info about the oral exam
Individual oral exam of 30 minutes where both the term paper and other parts of the syllabus are discussed.
The oral exam is an opportunity to further develop and defend your work. The grade you received on the term paper can be adjusted here, primarily based on:
- How well you can explain and justify the theoretical choices and arguments made in your term paper.
- How well you can show critical knowledge of the course topics discussed in class and covered in the syllabus.