Wijsbegeerte

subject	Politics and society I
code	163004
lecturers	prof.dr. S. Griffioen (e-mail [e-mail]); dr. J.W. Sap (e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. R. Kuiper (e-mail [e-mail])
credits	6
period	2
aim	You will get a thorough understanding of the key concepts of modern political and social thought. An overview of the content and development of these concepts will be given and you will get acquainted with the important currents and thinkers. We will read sections of original texts and sources, from the most eminent thinkers of this period. Systematically this course is related to the following themes: Individual and society/burden and challenge of societal life; Social structures and power/patterns of cultural developments; State and the public domain/political partiest and social movements; Market-economy, welfare-state and globalization; International conflict and cooperation/clash of civilizations. The course is designed as the complementing part of Politics and Society II.
content	You will be introduced into the main concepts of modern social and policital thought. This will be done by an exploration of the idead of such thinkers as Althusius, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Arendt, Sennett. This exploration starts when society appeared to be a res publica, a shared responsibility of modern citizens. Concepts like 'covenant' and 'contract' were coined to understand the nature, origin and purpose of this 'civil society'. You will learn to discern the differences between the 'contractarians'. You will also learn about the deep hesitations and social criticism as result of the period of the French Revolution. Conservative traditionalism, liberal attempts to structure a 'public life', the shaping of welfare states served as answers to the discontents of modern society. The breakthrough of individualism and mass society caused lingering problems in the background. You will get acquainted with the related philosophical discussions and will be able to compare these discussions with the development of Christian social and political thought.
literature	Johannes Althusius, Politica, (Liberty Fund: Indianapolis, 1995); John Locke, Second treatise of Government (several editions); Abraham Kuyper, Lectures on Calvinism (several editions); J. Maritain, Man and the State (1951); Secondary literature to be announced at the beginning of the course.
mode of assessment	You will write a paper and evaluate the main issues and currents of thought introduced during this course. This paper serves as a basis for the oral examination.
entry requirements	Philosphical Foundations I and II.

subject	Politics and society II
code	163005
lecturers	prof.dr. S. Griffioen (e-mail [e-mail]); dr. J.W. Sap (e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. R. Kuiper (e-mail [e-mail])
credits	6
period	2
aim	This course aims at understanding the contours of a Christian theoretical framework regarding politics and society. Therefore, we will read together relevant key texts. You will be introduced into the main concepts of Christian social and political thought and learn the basic ideas and distinctions (like 'sphere sovereignty'), designed to understand modern society. You will also learn to apply these Christian notions to issues such as human rights, globalization, public life, the clash of civilizations and the role of religion. You will also understand notions like apocalypse and eschaton in relation to these issues. You will learn to enter into a critical (but fair) dialogue with modern and postmodern thought in relation to the themes of the course; as well as to apply relevant theoretical concepts to concrete issues in society and politics. This course is designed as the complementing part of Politics and Society I.
content	You will get a systematic and historical introduction to Christian social and political thought. Starting with the issue of how 'being human' and 'social being' can be understood, you will be introduced to Abraham Kuyper's thoughts about spheres, social structures and responsibilities in society. You will proceed to Dooyeweerd's theory about social institutions. Especially Dooyeweerd's public philosophy and theory of the state will be studied. These insights will be enhanced when you learn about constitutionalism and the growing importance of supranational cooperation, for instance in the European Union. Subsequently, you will be introduced to the discussion of values and pluralism in society. How is integration of society possible, given the different value orientations, globalizing forces and liquid individualism? You will learn to distinguish between different types of pluralism (structural, directional, contextual).
mode of assessment	You will write a paper about the main issues and currents of thought introduced during the course. This paper serves as a basis for oral examination.
entry requirements	Philosophical Foundations I and II.

subject	Paper
code	163006
co-ordinator	dr. G.J. Buijs (room 13A-39, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail])
lecturers	dr. G.J. Buijs (room 13A-39, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. H.G. Geertsema (room 13A-31, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. S. Griffioen (e-mail [e-mail]); dr. J.W. Sap (e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. R. van Woudenberg (room 13A-36, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. R. Kuiper (e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. G. Glas; prof.dr.ir. H. Jochemsen; prof.dr. J.S. Reinders (room 13A-24, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); drs.ir. J. van der Stoep (room 13A-28, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail])
credits	6
aim	You will have a first exercise in how to apply the knowledge you have acquired in the first two periodes by writing a short paper (15 to 20 pages). This exercise concerns both the development of a theoretical framework from a Christian perspective and formal requirements. As to the development of a theoretical framework you have to pay attention to the following points: consistency with a Christian commitment (e.g. creation, evil, redemption, understanding God, the human person and diversity and coherence in reality); the inner coherence and relevance of a theoretical framework as a tool for analysis (basic distrinctions, theories, concepts); the possibility of communication with people of other convistions (avoidance of implicit assumpiots, use of empirical evidence). The formal requirements concern: composition (a clear structure of introduction, plan of sections of the main text and conclusion); clarity as to the topic and research question; clarity as to analysis (elaboration of the research question in subquestions) and argument (clear logical structure).
content	Because the main purpose of the paper is an exercise in applying the knowledge acquired in period 1 and 2 in relation to the development of a Christian perspective you can choose to make an extended study of one of the themes in these periods. Another possibility is that a new subject is chosen related to the fields of period 1 or 2, but not discussed as such.This subject too needs to be discussed on the basis of the acquired knowledge. You can also choose between developing a theme as such or give a critical analysis of some other's view. In both cases it is important to realise that it is only a first exercise. The limits are in time: a period of 4 weeks, and in pages: 15 to 20. Your focus should be to learn how to apply independently the insights that are the results of the study in period 1 and 2. The literature to be used you can choose from the required or recommended literature in period 1 or 2. But it is also possible to use some other literature. Important is that a well defined and limited subject is chosen. You haven to formulate a clear problem or question that you then will discuss in the paper. In the introduction you present the subject and formulate the question. In the main part you discuss the subject and work it out in sub-questions and their answers. At the end you formulate your conclusion and the way you have reached it. Some possible topics are: a comparison between Charles Taylor's and Dooyeweerd's view and assessment of modernity; a critical analysis of the idea of substance; a comparison between Huntington's idea of a clash of civilisations and Griffioen's idea of a pluralism of horizons; a critical assessment of a concrete practical situation in you own field (healthcare or social work) with the theoretical tools you have learned. These possibilities are mentioned just to give you an indication what kind of subjects you can chose.
mode of assessment	Evaluation of the paper by the supervisor both as to content and formal aspects.
entry requirements	Philosophical Foundations I and II and either Politics & Society I and II, Science, Technology and Responsiblity I and II or Ethics, Healthcare, Social Work I and II.

subject	Personal reading
code	163007
supervisoren	dr. G.J. Buijs (room 13A-39 tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. H.G. Geertsema (room 13A-31, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. S. Griffioen (e-mail: [e-mail]); dr. J.W. Sap (e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. R. van Woudenberg (room 13A-36, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. R. Kuiper (e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. G. Glas (e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr.ir. H. Jochemsen; prof.dr. J.S. Reinders (room 13A-24, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); drs.ir. J. van der Stoep (room 13A-28, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail])
credits	9
aim	The personal reading will introduce you in the literature that is important for your thesis. So it will give you a general orientation concerning the topic you have chosen. Once you start the writing of the thesis you will deal with other, more specific publications. Another aim of Personal Reading is to give you a training in an independent critical analysis and assessment of important literature. You will also learn how to analyze different publications in relation to one another. You will also have an exercise in the selection of relevant literature around a theme by making use of bibliographies, journals and internet.
content	The content of your Personal Reading depends on the topic you have chosen for your master's thesis. You will select relevant literature and present a list to your supervisor. The final list is decided upon by the agreement of the supervisor. The total amount of literature you have to study is between 1200 and 1500 pages.
mode of assessment	list of your Personal Reading will be divided in 2 parts. For each part you will write a report in which you give an analysis and some critical assessment of the books and articles concerned. In the report you will show an awareness of the relationship between the different publications. You will have a separate discussion with your supervisor about each report. The supervisor will base the final assessment both on the written reports and the oral discussions.
entry requirements	Philosphical Foundations I and II and either Politics & Society I and II, Science, Technology and Responsibility I and II or Ethics, Health Care, Social Work I and II. Also the short paper (163006) needs to be completed.

subject	General research supervision
code	163008
supervisor	prof.dr. H.G. Geertsema (room 13A-31, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail])
credits	3
aim	This class will help you to develop your ability to write a scholarly paper. You will learn how to formulate a research question and how to work it out in subquestions. You will get training in analysing and discussing different texts, relate them to each other and argue about them in a consistent way. You will also be trained in formal abilities like composing a text and referring to sources. This class is also meant to further assist you in developing a theoretical framework from a Christian perspective of your own and how to apply this both in a theoretical and a practical way.
content	During the course you will be given some lectures concerning the nature of a Christian perspective and how to make use of it in analysing and discussing other views. The main content will be a discussion of papers and presentations of yourself. Both the formal aspects and the content thereof will be assessed. Important issues are: what is meant by a conceptual framework and how do you apply it? What is required of a conceptual framewrok to be consistent with a Christian commitment? How can you communicate from such a position with people of a different conviction? This class will be a support to writing a paper and thesis and to the study of the personal reading assignment. There also will be guest lectures concerning Christian Thought either from a historical or from a thematic perspective. And you will be introduced in some basic issues to Responsible Leadership.
mode of assessment	active participation during class.
entry requirements	Anthropology, Science and Technology I and II or Politics and Society I and II or Ethics, Health Care and Social Work I and II.

subject	Thesis
code	163009
supervisoren	dr. G.J. Buijs (room 13A-39, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. H.G. Geertsema (room 13A-31, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. R. van Woudenberg (room 13A-36, tel [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. S. Griffioen (e-mail [e-mail]); dr. J.W. Sap (e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr. R. Kuiper (e-mail [e-mail]); prof.dr.ir. H. Jochemsen; prof.dr. J.S. Reinders (room 13A-24, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail]); drs.ir. J. van der Stoep (room 13A-28, tel. [phone], e-mail [e-mail])
credits	18
aim	With the thesis you complete your study in the master's program Christian Studies of Science and Society. You will show your ability to do independent research by writing a scholarly paper (60 to 80 pages). You will apply the knowledge you have acquired to a specific topic and show your competence both concerning the use of a theoretical framework from a Christian perspective and concerning formal requirements. The theoretical framework you apply has the following characteristics: consistency with a Christian commitment (e.g. creation, evil. redemption, understanding God, the humand person and diversity and coherence in reality); the inner coherence and relevance of a theoretical framework as a tool for analysis and critique (basic distinctions, theories, concepts); the possibility of communication with people of other convictions (avoidance of implicit assumptions, use of empirical evidence). Your thesis also answers the following formal requirements: competent use of sources; clarity of composition (a clear structure of introduction, plan of sections of the main text and conclusion); clarity as to the topic and research question; clarity as to analysis (elaboration of the research question in subquestions) and argument (clear logical structure). As an optional goal you might choose as part of the preparation of your thesis involvement in actual social and political practices to understand how insights from a Christian perspective might help to understand and pursue these practices.
content	The topic of your thesis, which you should have chosen before you started your participation in Christian Studies of Science and Society, will apply the knowledge you have acquired during your study to the analysis of a subject that belongs to the field you studied before you entered this program. The preparation for the master thesis might include an internship. If you choose this optional part of the preparation of your thesis you will have interviews and discussions and (to a limited extent and if possible) participation in the work that is done by staff members of institutions that are operating from a Christian perspective in a variety of societal spheres like political parties, labour organisations, broadcasting companies, research institutions in the field of education, medical ethics or technology, or in institutions in the field of health care and social work.
mode of assessment	Your thesis will be assessed bij your supervisor and by a second reviewer. Once it is accepted by both of them, you have to defend it in a (public) meeting with the examination committe which consists of the chairperson of the committe together with your supervisor and second reviewer.
entry requirements	You cannot hand in your thesis unless you have completed all the other parts of the program.

subject	Responsible Leadership
code	163011
co-ordinator	dr. G.J. Buijs (room 13A-39, tel. [phone], e-mail:[e-mail])
lecturer	prof.dr. M. Verkerk (and others to be invited.)
credits	3
aim	You will learn and discuss how insights from Christian social and policital thought can play a role within the actual policies (long-term and/or on a day to day basis) of organisations that claim to work from a Christian perspective.
content	The lectures of this part of the program are obligatory for all the students of Christian Studies of Science and Society and belong to General Research Supervision. As an optional part you can study some extra literature about responsible leadership and write a short paper about the content of the lectures and the literature you studied.
form of tuition	lectures and discussion. Active participation of students is required.
mode of assessment	assessment of the paper.