History Part (Q1): Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
· Identify the major authors and works of contemporary philosophy, as well as their intellectual context.
· Define and explain the central concepts and issues of this period (by situating them within their original works).
· Compare the theses of different contemporary philosophers on a given issue.
· Analyse contemporary issues (social, political, ethical, epistemological) in light of the conceptual tools derived from these works.
· Critically assess the relevance of these tools for deciphering the complexity of today's world.
Texts Part (Q2): Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
· Read and contextualise significant excerpts by contemporary philosophers (other than those covered in the History course).
· Reformulate the main thesis of an excerpt and situate it within the author's overall argumentation.
· Explicate the presuppositions, concepts, and argumentative structure of a philosophical text.
· Comment on a text in a structured manner, drawing on contextual elements and relevant references.
· Construct an argued judgement on the thesis defended in the text under study.
History Part (Q1): The aim of this course is to provide access to some of the major works that constitute contemporary philosophy and to familiarise students with the key issues and concepts of this period. It also aims to show the extent to which these philosophical works provide tools for critically deciphering the complexity of our contemporary world.
Texts Part (Q2): To complement the History of Contemporary Philosophy course through direct engagement with important excerpts from contemporary philosophers (preferably other than those covered in the History course). To introduce students to the explanation and commentary of philosophical texts.
History Part (Q1): The guiding thread of this year's course (2026-2027) is the concept of work. Starting from the philosophies of Hegel and Marx, we will see how this concept and its effective conditions of realisation have evolved since the 19th century; how it was reactivated and rethought in the 20th century through the thought of Weil and that of Arendt. The late 20th and early 21st centuries will be addressed through feminist and decolonial critiques of the concept of work.
History Part (Q1) : Part I : Hegel and Marx ; Part II : Weil and Arendt ; Part III : Beauvoir and feminist views on work ; Part IV : capitalism and colonisation.
History Part (Q1) : doesn’t apply.
History Part (Q1): lecture course taught in French
Texts Part (Q2): lecture course and practical exercises taught in French
History Part (Q1) : oral exam
Texts Part (Q2) : written and oral exam
History Part (Q1): The course materials (PowerPoint slides) and text excerpts are made available on the WebCampus platform.
Texts Part (Q2): A bibliography is handed out at the beginning of the course.
| Training | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Philosophy | 2 | 6 | Yes |
| Bachelor in Philosophy | 3 | 6 | Yes |