IDE2038 – Women in the History of Ideas

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

There are a number of significant women in the history of ideas. Yet they have often been marginalized, ignored or forgotten. But the wind has turned: There is now an ever-increasing interest in women’s contributions to the extensive history of knowledge, from antiquity to modern times. In this course you will get acquainted with key female thinkers. What questions have women been concerned with? How have they interpreted the society around them, and what have been their solutions to contemporary challenges? The curriculum consists of political, religious, philosophical and literary texts written by women. The texts reflect their intellectual breadth and social and political engagement through different periods. The course thus contributes to a richer understanding of the history of ideas and a more nuanced picture of the canon, which has traditionally consisted of men.

Learning outcome

The overall aim of the course is to:

  • Provide you with knowledge about significant women in the history of ideas
  • Provide you with and understanding of a number of issues that intellectual women were concerned with in early modern Europe.
  • Develop your skills in reading and analysing primary sources in various genres and locating them in a historical framework
  • Develop your skills in creating your own title and argument for the semester assignment in consultation with your teacher
  • Develop your skills in historical interpretation and textual analysis
  • Develop your skills in presenting texts and ideas and raising relevant questions in an historical context.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

This course will be taught in Norwegian spring 2026.

14 double-sessions of seminars will be taught throughout the semester.

All students are expected to attend on a regular basis and to participate actively. The course has the following compulsory tuition activities

  • A written text (individual assignment) of 3-4 pages to be submitted by the first seminar
  • An oral presentation (group work)

Examination

Home exam of 7-9 pages. List of references is not included in the total number of pages. Recommended font is Times New Roman, 1,5 line spacing.

All compulsory tuition activities must be completed and accepted as satisfactory in order to be able to hand in the term paper.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Nov. 6, 2026 11:25:15 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Bachelor
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring
The course is offered on an irregular basis.
Examination
Spring
Teaching language
Norwegian

Contact

Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas