HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY – PROGRAMME SUBJECT IN PROGRAMMES FOR SPECIALIZATION IN GENERAL STUDIES (HIF1-01)

The main subject area The ancient world and myths is concerned with human beings, social conditions and ideas from ancient cultural societies. It deals with myths and ways of comprehending the world, as well as history as storytelling. The understanding of time and what non-written sources of information can tell us about these societies are also included in the main subject area.

The main subject area Classical Antiquity and the art of discourse is concerned with the growth of cultures around the Mediterranean. Natural and Athenian philosophies, and their views on humans and society, are included in this main subject area. This subject is concerned with the earliest historical accounts created by man, and the significance of narratives and accounts for historical research. Philosophical discourse and conceptual development are key themes of this main subject area.

The main subject area The Middle Ages and the use of source documents is concerned with changes in society and in modes of thought during this period in history. The meaning and significance of religions and philosophies for the spread of culture and human thought are central to this subject. This main subject area is concerned with assessing historical sources and the significance of the "grand narratives,” the division of historical time into specific periods (periodization), continuity and change.

The main subject area The Renaissance and explanation is concerned with understanding society and the development of ideas during the Renaissance. It also includes the Reformation and the importance of the art of printing for developments in Europe at the time. Important concepts of history, such as comparison, explanation, motif, cause and effect, are included in the main subject area.

The main subject area The Age of Enlightenment and perspectives is concerned with the spread of ideas following the Scientific Revolution, and the development of the ideal of freedom. Ideas that prominent thinkers of the time had about the notion of State and Society during this period are included in this main subject area. Also dealt with is the manner in which history can be evaluated from a variety of perspectives and viewpoints and be perceived in different ways.

The main subject area Modern times and critical thinking is concerned with the growth of industrial society and the meaning of industrialization for human beings and society. This subject covers ideological upheavals during this period. Also included in this main subject area are the development of history as a science and how different philosophical traditions and ways of understanding history have made their mark on human identity, culture, the individual and the collective social setting. The subject also is concerned with the reasons why critical thinking is important to the science of history and philosophy.

The main subject area Human beings in modern times covers modernization processes that began in the mid-19th century, and how these both form and are formed by human beings. Philosophical discussions about Modernity, Postmodernism and human thought in society are central themes in this subject. Also included are ways in which human beings gain historical experience and develop an awareness of history in modern times.

The main subject area Knowledge and the pursuit of truth is concerned with the scientific method. This main subject area covers the ideas of truth and objectivity and the ways in which science has left its imprint on modern societies. The limitations and challenges in the field of the natural sciences and the development of new methods are included in this main subject area.

The main subject area Existence and meaning is concerned with how man thinks about existence and ethical questions when encountering social change in modern times. Identifying and discussing human viewpoints and historical identities is a central theme is this main subject area.

The main subject area Community, production and consumption is concerned with how changes in production and consumption have left a mark on people’s day-to-day lives and their outlook on life. This subject is concerned with how a sense of social belonging and ethnicity has limited human beings, and how these limits have been challenged, surmounted and altered. Views on society, cultural understanding and how philosophers discuss culture and society are included in this main subject area.

The main subject area Political ideas and ideologies is concerned with how ideas and modes of thought form the basis of ideologies. Also dealt with is the way in which ideologies have influenced people, political thought and social institutions in recent times. The main subject area also includes the relationship between authoritarian and democratic thinking and between ideals, goals and methods in politics.

The main subject area Understanding, awareness and application of history is concerned with how history is understood and the use to which it is put by individuals, groups and societies. This subject is concerned with views of history and how knowledge about the past is moulded through recollection, critical enquiry and discussion.