PHIL 305 Existentialism and Phenomenology (Not offered 2006-2007; to be offered 2007-2008) (W)
According to Jean-Paul Sartre, the only philosopher to ever refer to himself as an
"existentialist," existence precedes essence. What is essential to human being is
not any fixed set of characteristics, but rather what a human being becomes and
how it defines and creates itself under conditions it does not choose. In this
course we address key themes and figures from two of the most influential
movements in twentieth century European philosophy, namely, existentialism
and phenomenology, a philosophical approach to which existentialism is indebted. We will discuss major works (philosophical, literary, visual) by such figures as Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Richard Wright, Ingmar Bergman and Jean-Luc Godard. We will raise questions concerning the task of philosophy, the structure and meaning constituting function of consciousness, the
relationship between self and other, the mind-body relationship, freedom, authenticity, and absurdity.
Format: seminar. Requirements: short critical response papers, occasional short
class presentations based on outlines of the text, and three 5- to 6-page papers.
Students will be required to re-write one of the three papers in lieu of a final
exam.
Prerequisites: Philosophy 101 or 102 or 240 or 271T or 304T or permission of
instructor. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected 10-15). Preference given to majors
and those considering a major in philosophy.