History of Modern Philosophy I (PH301) | GSÜ

Content

Objective

The aim of this course is to provide the comprehension of the contunuity of 17th century philosophy with Ancient and Medieval thoughts and to discuss its proper aspects of on the bases of Descartes’ and Leibniz’s texts.

Course Content

Descartes’ metaphysics
Leibniz’s metaphysics

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning fundamental characteristics of Descartes’ philosophy
Learning fundamental characteristics of Leibniz’s philosophy
Development of the capacities of analyzing and criticizing

Teaching and Learning Methods

Analyzing and criticizing texts

References

Descartes: Principles of Philosophy
Leibniz: Monadology

Weekly Contents

Theory Topics
Week	Weekly Contents
1	Presentation of the course content, Descartes’ life and works.
2	Doubt, Cogito, Thinking, Proofs of God’s existence.
3	Infinite and indefinite, Source of our errors.
4	Freedom of will, God’s omniscience and human freedom, Clear and distinct perception, Prejudgments, Substance.
5	Attribute, mode, Numbers, Universals, Distinctions.
6	Existence of material substance, Extension as the nature of corps, Space, Place, Vacuum, Atom.
7	Motion, Source of motion, Laws of motion.
8	Midterm Exam
9	The nature of monad.
10	Perception, Appetition, Consciousness.
11	Memory, Imagination, Reason, Principle of contradiction, Principle of the sufficent reason, Reasoning.
12	Proof of God’s existence, Action-passion Point of view, God’s pre-knowledge.
13	Corps, Living things.
14	Pre-established harmony.

Assessment System

Contribution to Overall Grade
Activities	Number	Contribution
Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade	1	50
Contribution of final exam to overall grade	1	50
Total	2	100

In-Term Studies
Activities	Number	Contribution
Assignments	0	0
Presentation	0	0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	50
Project	0	0
Laboratory	0	0
Other Applications	0	0
Quiz	0	0
Term Paper/ Project	0	0
Portfolio Study	0	0
Reports	0	0
Learning Diary	0	0
Thesis/ Project	0	0
Seminar	0	0
Other	0	0
Total	1	50

Relation of Proficiency

No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Analyze philosophical texts with analytical and critical rigor;					X
2	Get an exhaustive knowledge on the history of philosophy; from antiquity to 20th century;				X
3	Provide access to information and expertise in the fields of systematic philosophy, such as ethic, esthetic, history of science, philosophy of society;		X
4	Establish the relation between philosophy and other fields of knowledge, such as, history, psychology, anthropology, sociology and other positive sciences;				X
5	Learn the theories of political science and the philosophical evaluation of historical and actual events;
6	Have a sufficient level of French and English in order to follow philosophical debates;		X
7	Have a sufficient level of the ancient Greek, Latin and Ottoman languages for reading philosophical texts written in these;	X
8	Develop a creative thinking and a knowledge of aesthetic theories which will allow the analysis of artworks and the history of art;
9	Acquire academic research methods and writing ability as well as to develop analytical skills, interpretation and criticism.				X

ECTS

Activities	Number	Period	Total Workload
Class Hours	14	3	42
Working Hours out of Class	13	5	65
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	10	10
Final Examinations (including preparation)	1	30	30
Total Workload			147
Total Workload / 25			5.88
Credits ECTS			6