Study Programmes 2015-2016
PHIL0005-2  
Methodology of philosophy
Duration :
30h Pr
Number of credits :
Bachelor in philosophy4
Lecturer :
Arnaud Dewalque
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The course aims at getting students used to the method of scientific research in the field of philosophy. It is made up of three parts:
  • documentary research, including for instance the use of on-line resources and of reference works available in the libraries;
  • analysis of a philosophical text with regard to its argumentative structure (theses, arguments, examples, etc.);
  • writing of an analysis paper and learning of formal conventions for typographical standardization (quotations, references, etc.).
Each part will give rise to working sessions.
Learning outcomes of the course :
At the and of the course students should be able:
  • to use bibliographical tools
  • to read and analyze philosophical texts from an argumentative point of view
  • to write an analysis paper which respects the requirements of clarity and shortness as well as typographical standards.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Prerequisite: Good command of French language. Co-requisite: having attended the course on Contemporary Philosophy (PHIL0019-1, Prof. A. Dewalque), which is also part of the Bachelor cursus in Philosophy. Moreover, as the course includes working sessions, students are required to take part to the sessions. For each not received work, one point will be deducted from final report.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Working sessions based on notes which will be made available to the participants. The sessions will be devoted to topics and/or philosophers studied in the course of Contemporary Philosophy (PHIL0019-1).
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
The course takes place during the second term, 2 hours/week. See http://cipl82.philo.ulg.ac.be/horaires
Recommended or required readings :
Notes will be made available in the first lessons. Lessons devoted to the analysis of a philosophical text will focus on a classical reading related to the course of Contemporary Philosophy (PHIL0019-1). In 2015-2016 set book will be:
  • J.L. Austin, Sense and Sensibilia, G.J. Warnock éd., Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1962 (french transl. Le Langage de la perception, trad. fr. P. Gochet revue par B. Ambroise, Paris, Vrin, 2007).
Participants are required to have the book for working sessions. On the other hand students who desire to complete the methodological indications given during the lessons can refer to the following manuals:
  • G. Paradis, S. Auclair, C. Sautereau, Guide de la recherche documentaire en philosophie, Québec, Presses de l'Université Laval, 2008 (available at the library, please contact the librarian).
  • Ph. Choulet, D. Folscheid, J.-J. Wunenburger, Méthodologie philosophique, Paris, PUF, 1992, reprint "Quadrige" 2013 (introduction to some french standards).
  • Z. Seech, Writing Philosophy Papers, Belmont, Wadsworth, 1993 (introduction to some american standards, available at the library: SL 5/1 E).
Assessment methods and criteria :
Written exam in June. - The test will consist in mentioning some bibliographical references (33%) and in writing an analysis paper consistent with the methodological indications given during the lessons (66%). Evaluation will focus on the following criteria:
  • compliance with typographical standards
  • clarity of expression and structuring of ideas
  • quality of language
  • relevancy of analysis
Works made during the course are subject to formative evaluation. Nevertheless, (i) for each not received work, one point will be deducted from final report, and (ii) when the scores of the works are superior to that of the analysis paper written during the exam, the average of the scores will be calculated.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
Teacher
Arnaud Dewalque
Dpt of Philosophy
7, Place du 20-août, Building A1/2nd floor
B-4000 Liège
Phone 0032 (4) 366 55 92
E-mail a.dewalque@ulg.ac.be