Philosophy (B.A.) (2 subjects/teaching profession)

Features

What can we know, how should we act? Who are we, what is all this around us? The really big, fundamental questions are approached methodically in Philosophy. It is not tentative pondering that is required here, but precise argumentation. In this degree programme, you will be taught the ability to treat philosophical problems academically. To do this, classical and modern standpoints will be studied and discussed. Structure: 4 basic modules in all areas: Theoretical Philosophy, Practical Philosophy, History of Philosophy and Logic. Optional foci will be available afterwards.

Programme:: Philosophy
Degree:: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (2 subjects / teaching profession)
Standard period of study:: 6 semesters
Start:: Only the winter semester
Language of the programme:: German
Admission:: restricted admission (application to the University)
Orientation events:: at the beginn of your studies orientation events are offered

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Subject description

Philosophy deals with the fundamental question of theoretical world interpretation and practical formation of life. It examines aspects that can be clarified through methodical contemplation. In order to do so, the ability to logically analyse abstract theoretical problems as well as to argument logically correctly must be acquired. The course of study comprises systematic parts (theoretical and practical philosophy) as well as historical (history of philosophy). Disciplines belonging to theoretical philosophy are epistemology, scientific theory, and philosophy of language, philosophy of mind as well as aesthetics. Practical parts include, among others, ethics, political philosophy, law and social philosophy. The historical part is studied using selected texts of classic philosophic authors and based on philosophical-historical epochs.

Studies in the two-subject bachelor's programme aim to make the students appropriately comprehend problems and conceptions of philosophy, deal with them scientifically and to communicate their basic principles in a manner understandable to all. The graduates should especially have the skills to appropriately use the scientific aids of the study of philosophy, to understand and apply methods of philosophical thought and argumentation, to understand and classify philosophical texts in their historical interpretation and systematic connection, deal with philosophical problems of intermediate difficulty in written and oral form with precise terminology, to weigh arguments against each other in an appropriate manner, and to be able to convey philosophical topics in a school and out-of-school education environment.

Subject areas and research focuses in Göttingen

Research and teaching focuses at the Department of Philosophy at the Universität Göttingen are:

Philosophy of mind, phenomenology, philosophy and ethics of artificial intelligence, epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of technology, philosophy of language; theoretical and applied ethics, philosophical anthropology, philosophy of law; philosophy of antiquity, esp. Plato and Aristotle, history of philosophy in modern times; philosophy of education and philosophy didactics; analytic feminist philosophy

Recommended subject combinations

For a teaching profession, a combination with one of the following subjects is recommended: German, English, French, Spanish, Latin, Mathematics or Physics.

Language recommendations

In order to read subject-specific texts, proficiency in English language is recommended.

Related and consecutive/graduate programmes

Related programmes

Consecutive/graduate programmes

Features

Structure

The central disciplines of Theoretical Philosophy include epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind and metaphysics; phenomenology, aesthetics, philosophy of nature and parts of philosophy of religion are also counted as Theoretical Philosophy.

The core disciplines of practical philosophy are: Ethics, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy, Theory of Action. It also includes more specialised areas such as the philosophy of history, parts of the philosophy of religion, the philosophy of education and culture, and philosophical anthropology.

The history of philosophy deals with texts of philosophy from different epochs. Its aim is to understand the philosophical positions and problems contained in them from a historical and systematic point of view.

It serves to survey complex argumentations and to check their conclusiveness. In a basic module, the understanding of elementary basic concepts of logic is taught, the ability to logically analyse and formalise simple statements and conclusions as well as the knowledge of a logical calculus.

In the didactics of philosophy, basic knowledge of important didactic theoretical approaches and fundamental skills for teaching philosophical problems and theories as well as methods of rational argumentation in school and non-school contexts are acquired.

In our Bachelor's training programme for the teaching profession, you study two subjects under the umbrella of one degree. Some combinations of subjects must be approved.

A combination with the subjects German, English, French, Latin, Spanish, Mathematics or Physics is recommended.

Subject combinations (PDF)

Amount: 66 Credits

Modules can be chosen from a selection:

of subject A or B
of the area of key competences
of teaching profession PluS

Amount: 10 Credits

In addition to studying the basics of educational science, you will gain practical experience in a school-based and an out-of-school internship. Supporting classes help you prepare for and reflect on the internships.

Amount: 20 Credits

Integrated into the subject didactic modules of the two teaching subjects is the introduction to school-related teaching skills, which are deepened in the subsequent Master's programme.

Amount: 6 Credits

The Bachelor's thesis is a scientific paper of 30-35 standard pages. It can be written in the field of theoretical philosophy, practical philosophy, history of philosophy or logic.

Amount: 12 Credits

Info brochure B.A. Philosophy (in German)

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Application

Combination of subjects for the teaching profession

Some combinations of subjects must be approved:

Subject combinations (PDF)

Admission

Start:: Winter semester only

1st subject semester:: restricted admission (application to the University)
2nd to 6th subject semester:: open admission (enrolment without previous application)