PH 207.25 REALITY AS EXISTENTIAL

Spring, 2002

Back
Home
Search Caldwell's Site

Course Description

 “There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide.  Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy.”

                                                Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus

This course consists of a study of that experience and philosophy which may be said to most clearly be representative of the Western world in the twentieth century.  The course will be divided into two parts: the first studying the roots of Existentialism in the writings of two nineteenth century thinkers and the second studying selected works from twentieth century existentialist writers.  These works are of two types – literature and philosophical essays.  Together they provide a good introduction to some of the fundamental issues and themes that characterize existentialist thought.

Definition and Purpose of a Writing Intensive Course:  A writing intensive course is designed to foster excellence in writing and the development of critical thinking skills while improving comprehension of the course material.  A writing intensive course is composed of several learning-based writing tasks.  Generally speaking, a writing intensive course will have:

1.      a meaningful and relevant portion of the grade based on writing assignments;

2.      opportunities to revise at least half of the formal assignments;

3.      some type of weekly writing activity.

Writing intensive courses require deep revision writing.  Deep revision is content revision that stresses re-seeing, rethinking, reframing and rewriting.  Deep revision is NOT just polishing, editing and proofreading.  Those are separate processes that come after the deep revision stage.

Writing and learning go hand in hand.  Through writing, students learn to review and reflect upon the ideas they read, hear or express.  It is through writing that students learn to connect the terms, concepts, theories, methodologies, and ideas of a discipline.  Writing encourages students to be independent thinkers; to analyze, evaluate, apply, reflect, and comprehend subject matter.

TEXTS

S. Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling, Princeton University Press

F. Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morals, Vintage Books

J.-P. Sartre, Existentialism in Existentialism and Human Emotions, Citadel Press

A. Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus, Vintage Books

M. Heidegger, What is Philosophy?, College and University Press

W. Barrett, Irrational Man, Anchor Books/Doubleday (Background Readings)  

REQUIREMENTS

1.                  Careful preparation of reading assignments before the class meeting.

2.                  Regular attendance, prompt arrival, and alert participation at all class meetings. Students are asked not to leave the room in the middle of class as it is disruptive for both the instructor and other students.

3.                  Weekly, in-class writing assignments on a topic based on the reading for that class.  These writing assignments will normally take place during the first 10 to 15 minutes of the Monday class.  They will be collected by the teacher, reviewed and returned at the beginning of the Wednesday class.  Students will be required to keep a portfolio/folder of  these writing assignments for the entire semester.  No make-ups will be given for assignments missed because of absence from class. (15% of final grade)

4.                  Three essays, three to four pages each, on topics assigned by the instructor.  Students will be required to submit a first draft of each paper by an assigned date.  This draft will then be reviewed by the instructor and returned with comments but without a grade for deep revision by the student.  The final grade for the paper will be based on both the first draft and the final version.  The student must also keep each of these in the writing portfolio/folder.  (15% of final grade for each paper)

5.                  Two tests scheduled during the course of the semester (10 % of final grade each) and a final exam.  The final exam is scheduled for May 13th at 9 AM (20% of final grade)

6.                  Students are reminded that they are obligated to abide by the college’s Policy on Academic Integrity found on pages 49-51 of the 2001-02 Undergraduate Catalog.

SEMESTER SCHEDULE

PART I: The Roots of Existentialism

Background to Existentialism -                              Jan.23, 28

            Reading:          Barrett, Irrational Man, pp. 3 – 41 (Background)

1.  Søren Kierkegaard -                                       Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 11, 13, 20

             Readings:        Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling, pp. 27 – 123

                                   Barrett, Irrational Man, pp. 149 – 176 (Background)

Kierkegaard on the Web

FIRST PAPER on Kierkegaard

2.  Friedrich Nietzsche -                                       Feb. 25, 27, Mar. 4, 6, 11

             Readings:        Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morals, pp. 24 – 96

                                   Barrett, Irrational Man, pp. 177 – 205 (Background)

Nietzsche on the Web

FIRST EXAM                                     Mar. 13

PART  II: Existentialist Writers

3.  Jean-Paul Sartre -                                             Mar. 18, 20, 25, 27

             Readings:        Sartre, Existentialism, pp. 9 – 51

                                    Barrett, Irrational Man, pp. 239 – 263 (Background)

Sartre on the Web

SECOND PAPER on Sartre

4.  Albert Camus -                                                 April 8, 10, 15, 17

             Reading:          Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus, pp. 3 – 91

Camus on the Web

THIRD PAPER on Camus

SECOND EXAM                                 April 22

5.  Martin Heidegger -                                            April 24, 29, May 1, 6, 8

             Readings:        Heidegger, What is Philosophy?, pp. 19 – 97

                                    Barrett, Irrational Man, pp. 206 – 238 (Background)

Heidegger on the Web

Threaded Discussion

Office Hours

Students may schedule an appointment to see me in my office, Administration Building #104, by calling my Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Lee, at extension 3212 (973-618-3212).  I can also be reached by e-mail at pdouilla@caldwell.edu.