Duration
30h Th, 15h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English | 5 crédits | |||
| Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : general | 5 crédits | |||
| Bachelor in philosophy | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Topic: Illusion, appearance and Reality.
This introductory course (30h Th) offers an overview of the major philosophical currents from 1900 to the present day, namely (i) analytic philosophy, (ii) phenomenology, (iii) analytic metaphysics and philosophy of mind. Focusing on the notion of analysis, we'll challenge the usual presentation of these currents, which have been often described as monolithic and competing traditions. By contrast to this common picture we'll see how they embody different and often complementary ways of engaging into philosophical analysis.
Questions at issue will include the following: Does sense-perception provide us with an acquaintance with reality? How are we to describe the relation between reality and appearence? What difference is there between perceiving, dreaming, and hallucinating? Can sense-perception justify our beliefs about the external world, and if so, how? What is the relation between what we perceive and the words we use to describe it? In virtue of what is sense-perception distinct from other mental states (thinking, imagining, etc.)? Granted that we perceive what really is, what are the ingredients of reality? What type of "entities" are there in the world? And what's the place of mind in reality?
For students enrolled in Philosophy, theoretical classes are supplemented with training classes (15h Pr), which are devoted to the guided reading of a philosophical book related to the course content.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
General objectives:
- to provide an introductory overview of contemporary theoretical philosophy.
- to clarify a certain number of key concepts prior to a more in-depth study of contemporary philosophy (cf. course given during the 2nd and 3rd Bachelors in Philosophy: "History of contemporary philosophy" and "Contemporary philosophical texts").
- to raise students' awareness of the classic philosophical problems concerning our perceptual relationship to the world and the alternatives of idealism and realism.
- place authors studied during class into their contemporary philosophical setting.
- explain the meaning of concepts used.
- clearly explain, using examples, the arguments in favour of a particular philosophical position covered in class.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
None.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is made up of two parts, a theoretical part (30h) and a practical part (15h).
Students enrolled in Modern Languages and Information and Communication are exempted from the obligation to follow the practical part.
Part 1 - theory (all students): Lectures with powerpoint presentation. Each lesson is based on some quotations of classical philosophical texts which will be made available to the listeners both in original language and in french translation.
Part 2 - practice (students enrolled in Philosophy): Guided reading and discussion of the book by John Austin, Sense and Sensibilia.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
First term.
Detailed schedule will be made available in the "teaching material" tab.
Recommended or required readings
PART 1 - theory (all students)
A bundle with excerpts from classical philosophical texts will be made available at the beginning of the course. Moreover, the set book is:
- Thomas Nagel, What Does It All Mean? A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1987.
PART 2 - training (students in philosophy)
Reading:
- John austin, Sense and Sensibilia, G. J. Warnock ed., Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1962 (French translation: Le Langage de la perception, trad. fr. P. Gochet, revue par B. Ambroise, Paris, Vrin, 2007).
Assessment methods and criteria
PART 1 (all students):
- Oral exam with a short preparation time.
The exam is made up of four questions which are selected at random: you are asked (1) to give a full-blown presentation of one school/author, (2-3) to explain two concepts, (4) to expose one definite chapter of the set book (students are allowed to bring their own exemplar of the book with margin notes).
Assessment criteria are:
- mastering of the course content
- clarity of the presentation
- ability to restitute and/or comment on a chapter of the set book.
- Written exam
Assessment criteria are:
- clarity and logical articulation of ideas
- language quality (correct spelling, syntax, style)
- relevance of the proposed explanation
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Students enrolled in Modern Languages, Communication, etc., are most welcome. Extracts of philosophical texts will be made available both in original language (English and German) and in french translation.
Contacts
Teacher
Arnaud Dewalque
Département de Philosophie
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
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session
Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning
Assessment subjects
Same as for the January exam session.
Assessment methods
Remote written exam (for further details, please refer to the description in French and/or feel free to email the professor).
Contacts
Email: a.dewalque@uliege.be
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session
Assessment subjects
Unchanged.
Assessment methods
Same as for the May-June exam session.
Contacts
Email: a.dewalque@uliege.be
Items online
Texts and Sources
Excerpts and references that will be quoted during the classes.
Printed version available at the Presses de l'ULiège.