Fundamental texts in the European tradition - Phenomenology module (PI42014)

• Level 4
• Semester 1
• Philosophy - School of Humanities
• Coursework 100%

Description

Phenomenology fundamentally shaped contemporary Continental Philosophy, and in this module we will take a closer look at some of the most fundamental texts and issues that phenomenologists are concerned with. In 2017/18 we will look at the issue of time. Nowhere is the break with the tradition more evident than with this issue. For phenomenologists time was not to be considered an abstract form of measuring seconds, hours and days, it is the stuff that makes life interesting and relevant.

In this module will investigate the role of History, Temporality and Time in Heidegger's early work (Being and Time and in the lecture History of the concept of time: Prolegomena) as well as his later writings by looking at the historicity of being and writings on the event.

Convenor

Dr Tina Rock

Teaching

The module consists of 22 lecture seminars and 11 tutorials. These two ways of teaching complement each other. The lecture seminars are the key medium for the delivery of the course’s philosophical content. Here we will read and analyse texts together. Tutorials are more participatory. The students will be expected to give a short group presentation (2 people per group) of the material discussed during the week, which will be the basis of the discussions in the tutorials.

Assessment

This module is assessed 100% by coursework, as follows:

60% Essay

15% Presentation and Hand-out

25% Essay Outline

Reading

We will engage with one or more famous works by following authors (or similar authors):

• Franz Brentano

• Edmund Husserl

• Martin Heidegger

• Maurice-Merleau Ponty

• Hannah Arendt

Access the online reading list system

Module Aims

1. engaging intensively with a classic and seminal philosophical text in the phenomenological tradition.

2. Close attention will be paid to reading the text, not only as a historical document but principally with regard to its on-going contribution to philosophical thinking.

3. to improve students' ability to read, understand and critically assess philosophical texts from a specific tradition.

4. to assess how these texts influence contemporary thought.

5. to become familiar with the phenomenological perspective and its application to various questions/various practical or theoretical issues

Intended learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding.

to improve students' ability to read, understand and critically assess philosophical texts from a specific historical period

Subject-specific practical and intellectual skills and attributes.

Familiarity with some central theories and arguments in phenomenology

Alertness to opportunities for employing phenomenological methods to illuminate contemporary debates.

Appreciation of the wide range of application of techniques of philosophical reasoning

Transferable, employability and enterprise skills and attributes.

Development of the necessary skills to engage with unfamiliar material applying to new contemporary contexts.

Enhancement of research and presentation skills.

Development of the necessary skills to undertake collaborative group work.