(International Classroom): Sapere Aude

Full course description

Introduction
This Philosophy in Action (PhiA) week of the second year is devoted to the book project. Students read an academic book and write a book review. In this book-review they identify and present the central line of argumentation, any relevant key-concepts of the book, as well as its main narrative. In addition they critically reflect on the content and the argument of the book and embed it in a broader context. To this end, students make use of the reflective capacities, they have developed during the previous PhiA weeks.

Students choose from a pre-given list of books, covering topics interesting and relevant for all four streams. During the week, they follow a lecture (general) on the relevance of academic books, the difference with academic journal articles and academic books and on the role and relevance of book-reviews. In two practical’s, students discuss the book under the supervision of a teacher and together with fellow-students. Based on these discussions and on a guideline on how to write a book-review, students individually write a book review.

Procedure
During the week students read the book, gather surrounding information and write a book review. In addition, they collect and read additional literature that supports them in understanding the line of thought developed in the book as well as to embed it into its broader context. Before the start of the PhiA week at the opening lectures of the PhiA week in block 2.4. the book-project will be briefly introduced and students will be presented with a list of books from which they can choose. All students are requested to have a version of their book at their disposal at the beginning of the PhiA week.