Syllabus for Between Fiction and Non-Fiction

Mellan fiktion och icke-fiktion

Syllabus

  • 7.5 credits
  • Course code: 5FT179
  • Education cycle: Second cycle
  • Main field(s) of study and in-depth level: Theoretical Philosophy A1N

    Explanation of codes

    The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:

    First cycle

    • G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
    • G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
    • G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
    • GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

    Second cycle

    • A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
    • A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
    • AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

  • Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
  • Established: 2023-02-27
  • Established by: The Department Board
  • Applies from: Autumn 2023
  • Entry requirements:

    120 credits, or equivalent, including 60 credits in philosophy, aesthetics, musicology, literature or art history. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

  • Responsible department: Department of Philosophy

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to introduce the student to philosophical problems and theories concerning fiction, how they relate to the difference between fiction and non-fiction, and the possibilities for works that include both fictional and non-fictional elements.

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

  • describe the main theories of fiction and their views on the difference between fiction and non-fiction
  • analyze different approaches to the difference between fiction and non-fiction and the philosophical problems they relate to
  • contextualize discussions of fiction and non-fiction within epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of language
  • analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the theories being studied.

Content

This course discusses philosophical theories of fiction and how they account for the difference between fiction and non-fiction. Many philosophers have traditionally held that there is a sharp distinction between fiction and non-fiction, and have regarded this demarcation as of fundamental importance, morally, epistemologically, metaphysically, and in many other ways. Others have questioned this sharp divide between fiction and non-fiction. We will examine some of these debates.

The course aims to look at works that may be described as both fiction and non-fiction, or as neither fiction nor non-fiction. These may include, for example, memoirs, documentaries, the use of perspectival and metarepresentational devices in history writing, certain kinds of religious language, and forms of satire or parody.

We examine such topics mainly from within the philosophy of language, but with a view to particular areas of metaphysics and epistemology.

Instruction

The course is taught as a combination of seminars and lectures. A high degree of participation in discussion is expected of students. The course is conducted in English.

Assessment

The examination for the course is an essay of 3500 words on a freely chosen topic related to the content of the course.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

The course may run jointly with the first cycle course 5FT181.

The course may also run jointly with a PhD course. The assessment of PhD students is based upon an essay of 4500 words on a freely chosen topic related to the content of the course.

Reading list

Reading list

Applies from: Autumn 2023

Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.

Reading List

Information on course readings is announced here or in Studium at the latest five weeks before the start of the course.

Print syllabus and reading list
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