Thesis Bachelor Philosophy

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/W_BA_THES

Course Objective

Goal of the thesis is to acquire skills to treat and elaborate upon a topic in historical philosophy, practical philosophy or theoretical philosophy in writing. Learning objectives: 1) You are able to articulate a well-worded, well-demarcated philosophical question. 2) You can structure your thesis well, with a table of contents that shows how the question will be answered, and a conclusion in which the main question and (if applicable) sub-questions will be answered in full. 3) You have the ability to embed your argumentation into relevant and actual discussions in a well-founded manner. 4) You are able to choose literature of a sufficiently level of difficulty independently and paraphrase its content correctly in your own words. 5) You can make clear who is speaking and from which sources ideas are taken, through complete references that follow one particular system. 6) You have the ability to think your argumentation through well, implement it in a valid manner and explain it by means of relevant (in the light of your question) examples
- so that the thesis convinces. 7) You can apply an academic, lively and attractive style, with precise, clear and consistent sentences that also contain definitions of the most relevant philosophical concepts. 8) You are able to formulate your main question independently, to search the sources to answer it, and to argue for your conclusions. 9) You work in accordance with a schedule that is agreed upon by you and the supervisor(s) and you keep your own deadlines. 10) You are able to articulate your own train of thoughts, adding to the existing literature and inciting reflection, while you fruitfully receive and process feedback from your supervisor(s) with an open attitude.

Course Content

You will choose a topic and research question in consultation with your thesis supervisor(s), and will also consult and decide with her or him upon your thesis plan, timeline, and literature to be used. You will work independently insofar as possible in accordance with the agreed-upon planning, understanding that you will ask and receive feedback from the teacher at regularly chosen moments.

Teaching Methods

The student will contact, after consulting the coordinator of the Bachelor Thesis Seminar, one of the teachers of the Philosophy Department (FGW) to ask them to supervise the thesis.

Method of Assessment

The thesis is a written work and will be graded by the first reader (the supervisor) and the second reader in accordance with the grading form
- in which at least the mentioned learning goals will be looked into. More elaborate criteria concerning length, form and conventions, among other things, can be found in the thesis manual.

Target Audience

BA Philosophy

Entry Requirements

The entire 1st year and 48 EC from the 2nd year must be completed. Students for whom Philosophy is the 2nd program must have completed at least 78 EC before starting the thesis.