Admission requirements
Admission to (one of) the programme(s) listed under Part of in the information bar on the right
Description
In this course we reflect on the foundations of major different philosophical methods from the continental tradition that have found their way into the humanities broadly (e.g. dialectics, phenomenology, critical theory, hermeneutics, semiotics, deconstruction). It is a characteristic of continental philosophy that a strict separation between method and content is often not possible. Questions of method (of the different kinds of writing, style, logic or argumentation) often cannot be dissociated from substantive views on the task of philosophy and of the humanities. The use of a certain method often implies a diagnosis of the culture in which the humanities operate, and specific views on, among other things: what the most important questions and challenges for the humanities are, what it means to think and reflect critically, and what the responsibilities are of intellectual thought. Special attention is given to methods and modes of interpretation that employ a kind of logic, style or language that seems different from more conventional theoretical or scientific method.
Edition 2025-2026: “…yet there is method in 't”: Philosophical Approaches to Hamlet
One of the most enigmatic, rich and heavily commented on of Shakespeare’s plays, Hamlet forms an exemplary case study that is of some significance to almost all directions of study in the humanities. In this course we will study different philosophical approaches to Hamlet by Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Benjamin, Cavell, Freud, Lacan, Schmitt and Derrida. We will study their methods and/of interpretations and ask what it means to interpret a work: to what extent do these thinkers ‘apply’ philosophical methods in their approach to Hamlet and to what extent does ‘application’ of preconceived methods run into up against its limits? These readings are at their most interesting when they do not see Hamlet as mere illustration of a preconceived philosophical theory, but when they take something to happen in Hamlet that theory alone does not show. This also raises questions about the relation of art and philosophy in general, and about why Hamlet is taken by many to be Shakespeare’s most ‘philosophical’ play. Concerning philosophical topics raised by Hamlet, our focus will be on (tragic) decision and its relation to hesitation, action and heroism; the task of becoming oneself in relation to history and inheritance; justice and its relation to vengeance; love and desire (in family, friendship and romance); mortality and mourning.
Edition 2023-2024: “…yet there is method in 't”: Philosophical Approaches to Hamlet
One of the most enigmatic, rich and heavily commented on of Shakespeare’s plays, Hamlet forms an exemplary case study that is of some significance to almost all directions of study in the humanities. In this course we will study different philosophical approaches to Hamlet by Hegel, Kierkegaard, Benjamin, Lacan, Schmitt and Derrida. We will supplement these readings with texts by these authors on method and interpretation, in order to ask what it means to interpret a work: to what extent do these thinkers indeed ‘apply’ the methods they describe in their approach to Hamlet? And to what extent does ‘application’ of preconceived methods run into up against its limits?
Course objectives
Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:
- the nature, function and value of different philosophical methods from the continental tradition that have found their way in to the humanities broadly.
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
reflect critically on the possibilities and the problems inherent in the ‘application’ of philosophical methods;
critically apply considerations on the methods under discussion to a case or to problems in philosophy as well as in the humanities broadly.
Timetable
The timetables are available through MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
- Seminars
Assessment method
Assessment
Active participation (pass/fail)
Weekly questions for discussion (pass/fail)
Mid-term: written examination with essay questions (three hours; 40%)
Paper proposal (pass/fail)
Final paper (65%)
Weighting
Mid-term examination (40%)
Final paper (60%)
Resit
The resit consists of one final paper that replaces all previously earned grades. No separate resits are offered for mid-term papers. A condition for taking the resit is that all other course requirements have been met (active class participation, discussion-questions, presentations, paper proposal, mid-term and end-of-term-papers).
Inspection and feedback
Everyone will receive written feedback on mid-term paper and end-of-term paper via e-mail. Paper-proposals are discussed in person by appointment. It is always possible to request extra feedback on any (part) of the assignments by making an appointment.
Reading list
All texts will be published on Brightspace with one exception: you are expected to have read Shakespeare’s Hamlet. You may use any edition you like. Here is some advice:
Thompson, Ann, and Neil Taylor, eds. Hamlet: Revised Edition. Arden Shakespeare. 3rd series. London: Bloomsbury, 2016.
- The comprehensive choice. Very good and detailed introduction and back-matter. Many notes (perhaps to the detriment of reading experience). Equally good if not better is its predecessor: the second series edited by Harold Jenkins (1982).
Hibbard, G. R., ed. Hamlet. Oxford World’s Classics. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1987.
- Slightly more pocketable. Authoritative text. Good introduction and back-matter. This is based on the Folio-edition: a number of (sometimes famous) passages have been relegated to an appendix.
Gill, Roma. Hamlet: Oxford School Shakespeare. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1992.
- This is one of many good student/school editions that give more help and simpler explanations on the text.
Whichever you get, consider buying from an independent bookstore or antiquarian.
A list of sources for further reading (as well as information on film versions of Hamlet) will be published and updated on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the information bar at the right hand side of the page.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc., contact the Education Administration Office Huizinga
Remarks
Not applicable.