The course not only focusses on scholarly specialisation, but also on broadening our perspective. One means to that end is to study intensively important texts from the German intellectual history. We chew and ruminate the texts, until we have understood them thoroughly and we try to use the insights we get from them to have a better understanding of our own world. Students who take part in this course in their German language curriculum, perform the assignments in German. The German proficiency is part of the expectations about the performance. Students who take this course from another curriculum, perform the assignments in English or, on condition that this is understandable for all participants, in Dutch or French.
About the course
Content
This course aims to discuss texts (of a limited length) that were written by thinkers who occupied a key position in the development of the German Geistesgeschichte and intellectual history in general, ranging from the late 18th century up till today. Authors that are likely to be taken into account are a.o. Kant, Hegel, Goethe, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Freud, Marx, Simmel, Kraus, Husserl, Benjamin, Buber, Bloch, Heidegger, Wittgenstein, Adorno, Canetti, Blumenberg, Habermas, Arendt, Gerhard, Frank, Enzensberger, Luhmann, Sloterdijk, Szondi, Frevert, Busch, Rosa, Vogl. Students and instructor decide jointly which texts will be read. The professor will introduce the students to each of the authors and supervises the joint discussion of crucial passages from the texts. With respect to each of the texts one or more students will make an topicality exercise, by means of which they will demonstrate how the text can help us obtain a deeper comprehension of our own time. If the number of participants allows to do so, the topicality exercise will be done jointly by one UGent and one Enlight or exchange student. All texts are available on the electronic learning platform. Students go through one text of their own choice autonomously in preparation of the exam.
Learning outcomes
- To have a profound insight into advanced issues from the German Geistesgeschichte
- To be able to report orally and in writing one's own research results; to be able to handle (digital) resources in a responsible and transparent manner; to be able to have a specialist discussion about research results.
- A profound familiarity with the German intellectual and philosophical tradition
- A profound insight into the discursive and communicative specifics in the German Geistesgeschichte.
- To be able to go through and discuss autonomously one text from German intellectual history.
Teaching methods
Group work, Seminar, Independent work, Peer teaching
Extra information on the teaching methods:
- Seminar (25h): introductory questions; group discussion of 10 cases out of German intellectual history; concluding discussion
- Independent work (15h): preparation of an topicality exercise with respect to at least one text; preparation of the discussion of the other texts.
This course is a hybrid seminar; students can either attend the seminar on campus or online (via Teams).
Assessment
Assessment moments: continuous assessment
Examination methods in case of continuous assessment: Oral assessment, Participation, Peer and/or self assessment, Assignment
Possibilities of retake in case of continuous assessment: examination during the second examination period is possible in modified form
Extra information on the examination methods:
Students write an essay of appr. 1000 words, in which they articulate their own insight with respect to one of the questions that emerged during the semester in a compact and sharp way. Students who take up this seminar as part of a German studies programme are expected to write the essay in German. Other students can write the esssay in English, French or Dutch.
The "oral exam" is a dialogue of 20 minutes, in which the essay is discussed before the background of all texts read and discussed in class. Students have made themselves familiar with the line of argument of each of the texts and are able to make connections flexibly. We also discuss the students have selected and gone through autonomously. The language requirements of the "oral exam" are consistent with those of the other sections of this course.
The presentation is to demonstrate the topicality of one or more of the texts that are read in class.
Participation: participation in the discussion.
Calculation of the examination mark:
In-sessional evaluation (40%):
- Presentation topicality exercise: 20%
- participation in discussion: 20%
Extra- and post-sessional evaluation (60%):
- Paper: 20%
- Oral examination: 40%
The oral exam has a twofold objective: 1) to assess how thorough participants have assimilated the content of the course (open questions about the authors and texts discussed, and about the topicality exercises), and 2) to question the students on substantive and methodological aspects of their paper. Therefore, the assessment of the paper depends in part on the student's performance in the "oral exam".
Failure to participate in the evaluation of one or more components will result in failure to pass the entire course unit; the final grade, if higher than 7/20, will be reduced to the highest non-passable grade (7/20). Those who fail the periodic evaluation will obtain a maximum of 9/20 for the course as a whole, even if the calculated final score is higher.
Students who have a calculated final score of 10/20 or more and voluntarily participate in professionalization assignments as part of the "Bonus Program" and report on them in a favorably evaluated manner will acquire an additional credit (1/20) for this. If the reporting is not evaluated favorably, they will be given the opportunity to rework and resubmit it after feedback
Lecturers
Biebuyck, Benjamin: lecturer-in-charge
Course dates
This course takes place in the second semester of academic year 2025-2026:
- Educational activities: February 9 to May 16, 2026
- Catch-up activities: May 18 to May 23, 2026
- Easter Recess: April 6 to April 18, 2026
- Examination period: May 26 to July 4, 2026
- Resit Examination period: August 17 to September 12, 2026
There will be one online lecture per week from February 23, 2026, to May 16, 2026. This will take place on Tuesday from 8.30h to 11.15h (CET) (to be confirmed). Active participation by students is expected.
For those who incidentally cannot attend a lecture, lectures will be recorded; participation will then be replaced by an alternative assignment.
How to apply?
Entry requirements
- Bachelor of Arts
- Passive knowledge of German (reading, understanding) is necessary.
How to apply
- Check whether you meet the entry requirements listed above. You cannot apply if you don’t meet the entry requirements.
- Check with your home faculty or study programme to confirm whether this course can be included in your curriculum, so the ECTS credits will be recognized. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to your home university’s ENLIGHT office.
- Apply by completing the Ghent University form by December 19, 2025. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Register at Ghent university. Registration instructions will follow after application.
Information per university
- University of the Basque Country:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Bern:
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Comenius University Bratislava:
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - University of Göttingen:
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