Independent studies in philosophy may be completed by reading books and taking an exam based on them. Books from the following list provide basic knowledge in the fields that the subject of Philosophy in Joensuu specialises in. Students who have not studied philosophy before are advised to begin from this list (and from its first item). Advanced students may look up the study guide of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies and select literature from other fields of philosophy also.
5313380 Introduction to Philosophy 3 ECTS
Objectives: To introduce to the student the main areas and problems of Western philosophy and to enhance the students’ critical thinking skills
Content: Basic problems, theories and philosophers of Western philosophy
Modes of study: Independent studying of the course literature and a book exam based on it
Study materials: Papineau, David: Philosophy. Duncan Baird Publishers, 2009 (or 2004)
Evaluation: 0-5
Teachers: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011- Spring semester 2012
5313381 History of Philosophy 3 ECTS
Objectives: To familiarize the student with the history of Western philosophy
Content: Key thinkers and phases in the history of Western philosophy
Modes of study: Independent studying of the course literature and a book exam based on it
Study materials: Kenny, Anthony: Brief History of Western Philosophy. Blackwell, 1998.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teachers: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011 – Spring semester 2012
5313382 Ethics 2 ECTS
Objectives: To provide materials for the development of the student’s ethical thinking
Content: Key theories and problems of philosophical ethics
Modes of study: Independent studying of the course literature and a book exam based on it
Study materials: Almond, Brenda: Exploring Ethics. Blackwell,1998.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teachers: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011- Spring semester 2012
5313383 Political Philosophy 4 ECTS
Objectives:
To teach the student to think philosophically about the state and other human communities
Content:
Key theories, ideologies and thinkers of political philosophy
Modes of study:
Independent studying of the course literature and a book exam based on it
Study materials: Kymlicka, Will: Contemporary Political Philosophy – An Introduction. Oxford University Press, 1991.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teachers: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011 – Spring semester 2012
5313384 Philosophy of Law 2 ECTS
Objectives: To familiarize the student with the main philosophical problems connected with law
Content: Basic theories, concepts and an overview of the history of philosophy of law
Modes of study: Independent studying of the course literature and a book exam based on it
Study materials: Tebbit, Mark: Philosophy of Law. Routledge, 2000.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teacher: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011- Spring semester 2012
5313385 Philosophy of Science 2 ECTS
Objectives: To teach the student to reflect philosophically on the nature of science and scientific reasoning
Content: Basic theories, concepts and problems of philosophy of science
Modes of study: Independent studying of the course literature and a book exam based on it
Study materials: Okasha, Samir: Philosophy of Science – A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2002.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teacher: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011- Spring semester 2012
5313386 Plato 2 ECTS
Objectives: To familiarize the student with the argumentation style of one of the classics of Western philosophy
Content: The philosophical arguments of Plato
Modes of study: Independent studying of Plato’s dialogues and a book exam based on them
Study materials: Plato: Five Dialogues (Euthyphro, Apology, Meno, Phaedo). Hackett Pub. Co, 1990.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teacher: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011 – Spring semester 2012
5313387 Aristotle 3 ECTS
Objectives: To introduce to the student the classical work on virtue ethics
Content: Aristotle’s ethical theory
Modes of study: Independent studying of the course literature and a book exam based on it
Study materials: Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. Hackett Pub. Co, 2000.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teacher: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011- Spring semester 2012
5313388 Descartes 2 ECTS
Objectives: To introduce to the student the classic work of theory of knowledge
Content: Descartes’ philosophical arguments
Modes of study: Independent studying of Descartes’ text and book exam based on it
Study materials: Descartes, R.: Meditations on First Philosophy. Hackett Pub. Co, 1993.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teacher: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011 – Spring semester 2012
5313389 Hume 2 ECTS
Objectives: To introduce to the student the classic work of philosophy of religion
Content: The philosophical arguments of Hume
Modes of study: Independent studying of the course literature and a book exam based on it
Study materials: Hume, David: Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. Hackett Pub Co, 1998.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teacher: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011- Spring semester 2012
5313390 Kant 2 ECTS
Objectives: To introduce to the student the classic work on deontological ethics
Content: The fundamentals of Kant’s ethical theory
Modes of study: Independent studying of the course literature and a book exam based on it
Study materials: Kant, I.: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals. Hackett Pub. Co, 1992.
Evaluation: 0-5
Teacher: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: Autumn semester 2011- Spring semester 2012
Code: to be announced) Classics of Legal Theory 5 ECTS
Objectives: The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the philosophical and theoretical foundations that underlie the main fields and concepts of law (such as contracts, rights, punishment). The course will also enable the students to practice their discussion skills in English.
Content: Philosophical and theoretical background of the key concepts of general jurisprudence.
Modes of Study: The course will consist of independent studying of classic texts, discussing them together in class, and writing an essay. The discussion group will meet regularly about once a month. The teacher will provide the reading materials at the first meeting.
Evaluation criteria: 0-5
Teacher: Maija Aalto-Heinilä
Time: October 2011- April 2012
Further information:
The course is suitable for post-graduate students and advanced undergraduate students of law or philosophy
