Phil 4140W Existentialism

Professor Janet Donohoe

MWF 1-1:50pm Humanities Room 206

 

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

 

NOTE: A “W” designation after a section number of a 3000- or 4000-leve course signifies that the course is a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) course. WAC accepts as a guiding principle the idea that writing is a valuable tool for learning and communication. Therefore, the writing components of a course so designated are designed to help you learn the material and communicate what you have learned. Students are required to take two “W” courses for an undergraduate degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.

 

There are two types of exercises we will be involved with in the writing aspect of this course: Writing-to-Learn assignments, and Writing-to-Communicate assignments.  WTL: Writing-to-Learn exercises will help you realize the idea-generating potential of writing and its value even when it is not formally graded.  Primarily, these writing strategies help you focus your ideas as you prepare to write formal, writing to communicate activities. Further, by using writing-to-learn activities, you will gain practice in the sort of single-draft writing expected of you in exam situations or quick-draft career writing projects.  WTC: WTC denotes at least one formal writing assignment appropriate to the discipline of philosophy. Together we determine the appropriateness of a paper topic that you choose.  I will evaluate one rough draft and offer constructive feedback, which should lead to a high quality, finished product. The paper will be evaluated on content, form, grammar, and spelling and should represent a sustained effort on your part.

 

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)         WTL response papers and in-class writing                       20%

                        c)         WTL in-class written midterm exam                                25%

                        d)         WTC 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 8:30-11:00 am and 2:00-3:00 pm.

Office:  TLC 2250

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

 

A course reader will be made available with readings from the following:

DeBeauvoir       selections from The Second Sex

Calendar

August

15                    Introduction

17                    Themes of the course.  What is Existentialism?

20                    Dostoevsky       Notes from Underground

22                    Notes from Underground

24                    Notes from Underground

27                    Notes from Underground

29                    Notes from Underground

31                    Nietzsche          Beyond Good and Evil Part I

September

3                      Labor Day—No Classes

5                      Beyond Good and Evil            (first response paper due) Part I

7                      Beyond Good and Evil Part V

10                    Beyond Good and Evil Part V

12                    Beyond Good and Evil Part VII

14                    Beyond Good and Evil Part VII

17                    Beyond Good and Evil Part IX

19                    Sartre   “Existentialism is a Humanism”

21                    “Existentialism is a Humanism”   (in-class writing assignment)

24                    “Existentialism is a Humanism”

26                    “Existentialism is a Humanism”

28                    DeBeauvoir       The Second Sex – Introduction

October

1                      The Second Sex – Introduction    (2nd response paper due)

3                      The Second Sex – The Data of Biology

5                      The Second Sex – The Data of Biology

8                      The Second Sex – Situation and Character

10                    The Second Sex – Situation and Character

12                    Fall Break—No Classes

15                    The Second Sex – Conclusion

17                    The Second Sex – Conclusion

19                    Midterm Exam

22                    Camus              The Plague Part I

24                    The Plague       (in-class writing assignment) Part II through p. 110.

26                    The Plague Part II

29                    The Plague Part III

31                    The Plague Part IV

November

2                      The Plague Part IV

5                      The Plague Part V

7                      Kierkegaard       Fear and Trembling (3rd response paper due)

9                      Fear and Trembling

12                    Fear and Trembling

14                    Fear and Trembling

16                    Fear and Trembling      (paper due)

19                    Fear and Trembling

21-23                Thanksgiving Break—No Classes

26                    Fear and Trembling

28                    Atheist Existentialism

30                    Existential Belief

December

3                      Concluding Remarks

5                      Review