This page contains the course
syllabus for PHI 307-01 as well as additional useful information,
including:
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE PREFIX AND NUMBER: PHI 307 - 01
Fall 2004
COURSE
NAME:
TOPICS
IN MODERN PHILOSOPHY (EXISTENTIALISM & NIHILISM)
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr.
Philip Blosser
Contact info: Russell House, No. 7;
P.O.
Box 7211; Tel. ext. 7186.
Webpage: http://www.lrc.edu/rel/blosser/Homepage.htm;
OR
to find this webpage easily from
the LRC website, type
“Blosser” into the website SEARCH window, click on “Search,” then find
“Blosser’s homepage.”
Note:
for access to course materials online, click on the blue bar designated “Student
Course Materials” on my homepage and follow the links for your class (“Topics
in Modern Philosophy”) and course materials (daily assignments, study
sheets, etc.).\
TEXTS:
1.
Robert C. Solomon, ed., Existentialism (New York: Random House, 1974)
2. William Barrett,
Irrational Man (Garden City: Anchor, 1962, 1990).
3.
Max Scheler, Ressentiment (Marquette University Press, 1998)
4. Michael
Allen Gillespie, Nihilism before Nietzsche (University of Chicago Press,
1995)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A
study of selected philosophers and movements, including Anglo-American and
Continental European, from approximately 1850-present.
Course may be repeated with different topics and the permission of the
instructor. Three credits. (Even Fall)
SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES/COMPETENCIES:
This
course is designed to introduce the student to (1) the major texts and figures
of 19th and 20th century existentialism; (2) the thinkers and texts and
methodological approach of the phenomenological movement that forms the
background of 20th century existentialism; (3) an close analysis of Max
Scheler’s phenomenological study of Ressentiment;
(4) an ongoing analysis of the problems of meaning, individuality, and
freedom that form the basic themes of existentialism; and (5) an in-depth study
of the origins and development of philosophical nihilism.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Selected
readings, reaction papers/presentations, participation
in internet discussion group, a research paper and in-class
presentation based on it, a mid-term, and a final examination.
TOPICAL OUTLINE:
1. Historical background of 19th century existentialism
2.
Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Dostoevsky
3. The Phenomenological Movement: Husserl & esp. Scheler
4. Max Scheler, Ressentiment
5.
20th century existentialism: Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty
6. The
History and Development of Nihilism
EVALUATION:
Regular
class participation will be weighted heavily.
This includes not merely attendance and reaction papers, but informed
contribution to class discussions on a regular basis. 30% of the final grade will be determined by such
participation. The balance will
fall out as follows: research paper and in-class
presentation (30%), mid-term and final exams (40% each, or 20% each).
Exams: excepting
extenuating cases, tests may be taken only on days scheduled.
If a test is missed, there is no penalty.
However, the material covered by the missed test will be included as
part of a cumulative final examination (i.e., for the person who has missed a
test, the final will be cumulative with respect to the material on the missed
test).
Attendance
policy: only 3 excused absences per semester without affecting final
grade.
Academic
integrity is expected and respected.
Cheating (copying, plagiarism, etc.) is morally reprehensible, will not
be tolerated, and if discovered will result in automatic failure of the
course.
Final
exam time: Monday, Dec. 11, 2004, at 10:30 a.m.
- 12:30 p.m. (The final is required and cannot be re-scheduled.)
Continued
enrollment in the course is taken as contractually binding agreement
between the student and the instructor (and institution) to the terms
specified above.
Grading Scale
| A- |
92-93 |
| A |
94-100 |
| B+ |
90-92 |
| B |
84-89 |
| B- |
82-83 |
| C+ |
80-81 |
| C |
74-79 |
| C- |
72-73 |
| D+ |
70-71 |
| D |
64-69 |
| D- |
62-63 |
| F+ |
60-61 |
| F |
52-59 |
| F- |
0-51 plus a lashing !!!!!!! |