Continental philosophy Cato Sluyts
STUDY LAB 1 – 03/04
How is continental philosophy going?
First reading: ‘skim’ the texts by reading the whole text in one go and trying to
understand the whole picture, mark the concepts or sentences you do not understand
à highlight or take notes to make the second reading most fruitful
How to do well in this course?
Suggestion 1: goal-oriented studying
Sample question:
“What is the origin of the term ‘continental philosophy?’ In what sense does the origin
of the term exclude the ‘unspeakable’ from philosophical discourse, and how does
continental though reopen this domain?”
How to answer a question?
à do not just explain but argue; present evidence to prove the answer
ECTS file
, Continental philosophy Cato Sluyts
Syllabus
- Evaluation: the final exam will be a written exam about the lectures (90% of the
grade). It will be based on the content discussed in the course and presented in
the power point. We also expect you to be acquainted with the literature treated
in the seminars.
Exam instructions (sample of 2024)
- Answer 3 questions
- You have 3 hours to complete the exam (unless you have special permission to
take more time).
- Paginate your answer papers and write down your name and student number on
ALL pages.
- In answering your questions, you MUST refer to texts we discussed in class. You
MAY also draw on sources not on our reading list, but you are not expected to.
- Answer each question as completely as possible, but stay focused on the
question. Do not digress, and do not provide information that is irrelevant and
does not contribute to your argument.
- Argue always on the basis of a given position, theory or concept.
- Attempt to write at least 1 page per answer.
Sample Question
“What is the origin of the term ‘continental philosophy’? In what sense does it exclude
the 'unspeakable' from philosophical discourse, and how does continental thought
reopen this domain?”
How to prepare to answer a question?
Main challenges:
- What are the topics, themes, …
- … who are the authors…
- … and what is the big picture?
Where to find the big picture?
Suggestion 1: concepts > themes > big picture
- What are the main themes of the sections?
- What are the key concerns, concepts, problems of the section?
- How do the authors connect to the topics of this section and, consequently, the
themes of the module?
Suggestion 2: find the big picture in the course overview
How do all of these fit together:
- Section 1: Philosophy in the 20th century; Is it a theory or practice? Is the concept
of truth still important?
o Marx & Engels, Nietzsche, Freud, Heidegger
- Section 2: What is modernity and our relation to it? What is post-modernism?
STUDY LAB 1 – 03/04
How is continental philosophy going?
First reading: ‘skim’ the texts by reading the whole text in one go and trying to
understand the whole picture, mark the concepts or sentences you do not understand
à highlight or take notes to make the second reading most fruitful
How to do well in this course?
Suggestion 1: goal-oriented studying
Sample question:
“What is the origin of the term ‘continental philosophy?’ In what sense does the origin
of the term exclude the ‘unspeakable’ from philosophical discourse, and how does
continental though reopen this domain?”
How to answer a question?
à do not just explain but argue; present evidence to prove the answer
ECTS file
, Continental philosophy Cato Sluyts
Syllabus
- Evaluation: the final exam will be a written exam about the lectures (90% of the
grade). It will be based on the content discussed in the course and presented in
the power point. We also expect you to be acquainted with the literature treated
in the seminars.
Exam instructions (sample of 2024)
- Answer 3 questions
- You have 3 hours to complete the exam (unless you have special permission to
take more time).
- Paginate your answer papers and write down your name and student number on
ALL pages.
- In answering your questions, you MUST refer to texts we discussed in class. You
MAY also draw on sources not on our reading list, but you are not expected to.
- Answer each question as completely as possible, but stay focused on the
question. Do not digress, and do not provide information that is irrelevant and
does not contribute to your argument.
- Argue always on the basis of a given position, theory or concept.
- Attempt to write at least 1 page per answer.
Sample Question
“What is the origin of the term ‘continental philosophy’? In what sense does it exclude
the 'unspeakable' from philosophical discourse, and how does continental thought
reopen this domain?”
How to prepare to answer a question?
Main challenges:
- What are the topics, themes, …
- … who are the authors…
- … and what is the big picture?
Where to find the big picture?
Suggestion 1: concepts > themes > big picture
- What are the main themes of the sections?
- What are the key concerns, concepts, problems of the section?
- How do the authors connect to the topics of this section and, consequently, the
themes of the module?
Suggestion 2: find the big picture in the course overview
How do all of these fit together:
- Section 1: Philosophy in the 20th century; Is it a theory or practice? Is the concept
of truth still important?
o Marx & Engels, Nietzsche, Freud, Heidegger
- Section 2: What is modernity and our relation to it? What is post-modernism?
