Course
Course 7.5 credits • ILHB33
This course gives you the opportunity to properly acquaint yourself with a selection of the main theoretical works in the Western tradition. At the same time, you will acquire a basic understanding of intellectual developments in the West from classical antiquity to the modern era.
Teaching – autumn semester of 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our courses and programmes. Teaching and assessment during the first half of the autumn semester 2021 will be conducted both online and on campus. From 1 November more elements will be conducted on campus – the current schedule is available on course websites and/or in Canvas.
The readings introduce some of the most important ideas in the history of thought, including contributions to philosophy, religion, politics, and science. And, as you will discover, these texts are in many cases also wonderful pieces of writing and a pleasure to read.
During the course, different approaches to the reading of theoretical texts will be discussed and evaluated, including close reading, historical contextualization, and various critical interpretations. Hence, the concept of the “classic” will be dealt with from both a critical and historical perspective.
The ideas contained in these classics have been hugely influential and in many ways remain with us – which serves as a good reason why we should understand where they came from originally, and what problems they were intended to solve. These and other questions will be treated during the course.
Study period:
autumn semester 2021
Type of studies:
part time, 75 %,
evening
Study period:
2021-08-30 – 2021-10-15
Language of instruction:
English
Eligibility:
General requirements for university studies in Sweden
Application code:
LU-E2101
Application code:
LU-31241
Teachers:
David Bowling,
Henrik Brissman,
David Dunér,
Frits Gåvertsson,
Bruno Hamnell,
Jimmy Jönsson,
Matthew Norris
First Admission Round
Internationell ansökan
Spring semester 2026
Last application date
15August 2025
Second Admission Round
Nationell ansökningsomgång
Autumn semester 2025
Late application
Opens 15 July