Course Objectives

The course aims to provide students with insight into what characterised the major shift in Western ideas and culture in the eighteenth century. The eighteenth century is often referred to as the Age of Enlightenment, and during this century new ways of thinking developed. These are included in the cultural complex called modernity. The course will therefore place great emphasis on how the Age of Enlightenment radically changed the world of ideas and how this became a part of modern man’s reality and self-perception.

Course Description

The total syllabus consists of roughly 800 pages, of which 500 pages are original texts from the period. These are texts, which are included in various debate contexts, and the course focuses on 6 of these main thematic contexts: (1) Enlightenment, tolerance and belief in progress; (2) what is man?; (3) the human being in society; (4) religion’s criticism and the defence of God; (5) changing aesthetic ideas; (6) theory of knowledge.
The course will focus on the conflicts and connections between the various ideas and positions within the debate contexts. The original literature consists mainly of philosophical and fictional texts.

Learning Methods

Lectures and seminars – up to 3 hours per week.

Assessment Methods

The mid-term examination counts for 40% of the final grade. The final written examination will count for 60%. Students must receive passing marks for both the mid-term examination and the final examination in order to achieve a final passing grade for the course. Graded marks.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean