Philosophy

The primary focus of the Department of Philosophy lies in the fields of cultural philosophy and cultural theory, social philosophy, political philosophy and aesthetics. Here, the emphasis is on contemporary French philosophy, Critical Theory, phenomenology, affect theory, and Marxism.

Philosophy in Lüneburg is characterized by its proximity to cultural studies. On the one hand, it takes up contemporary debates in cultural studies and, in doing so, interrogates the philosophical canon, bringing to the fore feminist, decolonial, and queer perspectives, among others. As such, the Department is characterized by a distinctive orientation towards contemporary issues and problems. On the other hand, it interrogates the theoretical foundations of discourses within cultural studies, unpacking and explicating the theoretical-historical traditions that shape current debates and questions.

As a critical practice of thought, philosophy investigates the conditions of knowledge; it provides content and methodological impulses that shape disciplines across the humanities, social and natural sciences. Philosophy makes an important contribution to the evaluation of rules and norms as well as current social problems. Through the study of philosophy, students become acquainted with different forms of thought as well as with contrasting and even contradictory approaches to reasoning that are drawn both from the tradition of classical texts and from contemporary debates. Students strengthen their critical analytical skills in reading and argumentation, and learn to evaluate conflicting claims by critically examining the reasons and counter-reasons for each.

The Department includes two professorships, one junior professorship, and several positions for research assistants and visiting scholars. It is involved in the teaching of the Bachelor's and Master's programs, Complementary Studies, the Leuphana Semester and doctoral courses. In addition, it is responsible for the Minor in Philosophy and participates in the DFG Research Training Group Cultures of Critique and in the Center for Critical Studies (CCS).

More detailed information on the contents of the Bachelor's and Master's programs in Cultural Studies and the Minor in Philosophy can be found in the respective subject-specific schedule and module handbooks.