������ý

Students deepen their knowledge and understanding of history of ideas based on skills components involving critical interpretation of short and long texts of high complexity, such as historical sources and current research articles. Themes introduced in History of Ideas I (empirical philosophy, theory of science, and cultural history) are developed in the light of theoretical and problematising perspectives. In all modules, students practise different degrees of text interpretation and close reading, which are central to the subject History of Ideas.

The course comprises four course modules (7.5 ECTS credits each). The order in which the modules are offered may vary.

Module 1.Global History of Ideas (7.5 ECTS cr)
In this module, non-European cultures are studied from a global and comparative perspective. The overarching theme is world views, with the aim to relate some of their main features, primarily beyond Western and Abrahamitic cultural spheres, to a traditional history of ideas canon. The encounters of Europeans with alien cultures and their effects on understandings of the world are treated. An important aspect in this context is non-European conceptions of Europeans. The importance of the colonial heritage to the dissemination of ideas is studied with the help of postcolonial theories placed in a history of ideas context. The concept of globalisation and the emergence of global cultural patterns are also analysed.

Module 2. Meta Theories: Science, Culture, Politics (7.5 ECTS cr)
The course has a meta-scientific approach, focusing on the theory of science and philosophy of science from positivism to postpositivism as well as contemporary cultural theory and political philosophy, studied from the perspective of history of ideas. Students are expected to reflect critically on the theoretical and social basis of science, the relation between knowledge and power, the challenges to contemporary democracy, and different views of the general conditions and crises of Western culture.

Module 3. Theoretical and Methodological Traditions of the History of Ideas (7.5 ECTS cr)
The aim of the course is to introduce the distinguishing character of History of Ideas while providing methodological tools to read and interpret texts in the field as a basis and preparation for an independent project. The module has two main themes. The first one concerns the special conditions of History of Ideas, its traditional identity and recent applications, different views on its emergence and development and theoretical problems associated with research in the field. The second theme comprises a study of some current interpretation theories and a survey of collection and analysis methods in the field, including source criticism, information retrieval, and the handling of archived material.

Module 4. Independent project (7.5 ECTS cr)
Students complete a small independent project, based on a delimited topic and on relevant questions, theories, and methods. How to find, use, analyse, and interpret primary and secondary sources is discussed in seminars along with the characteristics of History of Ideas in terms of purpose, research questions, issues of delimitation, outline, referencing, language use, and meticulousness. At the end of the course, students present and review their projects in a final seminar.

Instruction is in the form of lectures, presenting overviews of essential content, and mandatory seminars in which students discuss their understanding of course content in the light of course literature, orally and in writing.

Progressive specialisation: G1F (has less than 60 credits in first‐cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Education level: Undergraduate level

Selection:

Selection is usually based on your grade point average from upper secondary school or the number of credit points from previous university studies, or both.

This course is included in the following programme

• Culture, Policy and Management Programme (studied during year 2)