Phil 4140 Existentialism
Professor Janet Donohoe
Fall 2009
1. Learning
Outcomes: The aim of this course
is to examine critically the central arguments of existentialist philosophers
through reading, writing about, and discussing primary philosophical texts. By the end of the semester students will be
able to:
·
Identify at least
three major existentialist philosophers
·
Exhibit a
familiarity with the basic philosophical positions of at least three
philosophers.
·
Clearly explain
and critically address a philosophical position in both written and oral form.
·
Exhibit a
familiarity with existentialist vocabulary
·
Analyze
philosophical position of major figures in existentialism
·
Recognize the
difference between atheist and religious existentialism
2. Requirements: To achieve the above goals will require a new
way of reading and thinking. We will not
just read the texts, but we will question and challenge them both through
discussion and writing assignments.
Because this is a Writing Across the Curriculum
course, the writing element will be substantial and will involve in-class
writing as well as formal paper writing.
The requirements for the class are fivefold.
a) class discussion and participation 10%
b) response papers 20%
c) in-class
written midterm exam 25%
d) final paper of 2100-3000 words 25%
e) in-class
written final exam 20%
In
order to meet these requirements, it will be necessary to attend class
regularly and to do the assigned reading.
It will be evident if you have not done the reading and this will not be
beneficial to your success in this class.
Papers absolutely will not be accepted after the due date unless you
have discussed it with me prior to the due date.
The Department of English and Philosophy
defines plagiarism as taking personal credit for the thinking of others as it
is presented in electronic, print, and verbal sources. The Department expects that students will
accurately credit sources in all assignments.
Plagiarism is grounds for failing the course and may result in further
consequences of being expelled from the University.
3. Availability: I am available outside of class during office
hours, or by appointment. If there are
questions or problems, do not hesitate to see me.
Hours: MWF 9:00-11:00 am and 1:00-2:00 pm.
Office: TLC 2230
Phone: 678-839-4743
e-mail: jdonohoe@westga.edu
4. Book List:
The books listed below should be available in the book store.
Dostoevsky Notes from Underground
Nietzsche Beyond
Good and Evil
Kierkegaard Fear
and Trembling
Camus The
Plague
Sartre Existentialism
and Human Emotions
Other
readings will be made available through Docutek with
readings from the following:
DeBeauvoir selections from The Second Sex
Calendar
14 Introduction
17 Themes of the course. What is Existentialism?
19 Dostoevsky Notes
from Underground
21 Notes from Underground
24 Notes from Underground
26 Notes from Underground
28 Notes from Underground
31 Nietzsche Beyond Good and Evil Part I
2 Beyond Good and Evil Part I (first response paper due)
4 Beyond Good and Evil Part V
7 Labor Day—No Classes!
9 Beyond Good and Evil Part V
11 Beyond Good and Evil Part VII
14 Beyond Good and Evil Part VII
16 Beyond Good and Evil Part IX
18 Sartre
“Existentialism is a Humanism”
21 “Existentialism is a
Humanism”
23 “Existentialism is a
Humanism”
25 “Existentialism is a
Humanism”
28 DeBeauvoir The
Second Sex – Introduction
30 The Second Sex – Introduction (2nd response paper due)
October
2 The Second Sex – The Data of
Biology
5 The Second Sex – The Data of
Biology
7 The Second Sex – Situation and
Character
9 The Second Sex – Situation and
Character
12 The Second Sex – Conclusion
14 Midterm Exam
16 Fall Break—No Classes!
19 Camus The Plague Part I
21 The Plague Part II through p. 110. (3rd response paper due)
23 The Plague Part II
26 The Plague Part III
28 The Plague Part IV
30 SPEP
Conference—No Class
November
2 IAEP Conference—No Class
4 The Plague
Part IV
6 The Plague Part V
9 Kierkegaard Fear and Trembling (4th response paper
due)
11 Fear and Trembling
13 Fear and Trembling
16 Fear and Trembling
18 Fear and Trembling
20 Fear and Trembling
23 Fear
and Trembling (paper due)
25-27 Thanksgiving Break—No Classes!
30 Existential
Belief
December
2 Atheist Existentialism
4 Review
Final Exam will be Monday,
December 7, 2009 at 11:00 am.