ENGL
4447 / PHIL 4950 ~
Existentialism
in Philosophy and Literature ~ Fall 2004
Instructors: Dr. Mary Magoulick, English
Dr. Jim Winchester, Philosophy
Office: A&S 3-21
110
Humber White House
Email: mary.magoulick@gcsu.edu
james.winchester@gcsu.edu
Hours: W 11-12, TR 3:30-4:30
M 12-4, W 12-1, Thurs. 12-1
Office Phone: 445-3177
445-2178
LINKS
Final Essay Assignment -- Philosophy
Option
Final Essay Assignment -- Literature Option
General Tips for Writing a Successful Essay
Abe, Kobo. The Woman in the Dunes. New York: Vintage International, 1991.
De
Beauvoir, Simone. She Came to Stay. New York: W.W. Norton &
Company, 1954 (reissue 1999)
Dostoevsky,
Fyodor. Notes from Underground. New York: Vintage Classics, 1994.
Hale, Janet Campbell. The
Jailing of Cecelia Capture. Albuquerque: Univ of New Mexico Press, 1986.
Kafka,
Franz. The Trial. New York: Schocken Books, 1998.
Kierkegaard,
Søren. Fear and Trembling / Repetition. Princeton: Princeton
University Press, 1983.
Kundera,
Milan. The Unbearable Lightness of Being. New York: Harper & Row,
1984
Nietzsche,
Friedrich. Twilight of the Idols. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing
Company, 1997.
Sartre,
Jean-Paul. No Exit and Three Other Plays. New York: Vintage
International, 1989.
Course Description
We will consider
various classic and contemporary works of modern literature, especially those
considered existential. Existentialism is a branch of philosophy that ponders
the meaning of existence, especially in terms of the subjectivity and
finiteness of the human experience, and how we are all restricted to our own
situation. This is in opposition to rationalism, which assumes the world and
our experiences all logically fit together and that the thinker’s
perspective may be infinite (which existentialists find presumptuous). A key
observation of existentialism is the actuality of existence, that the infinite
human spirit is lodged in finite flesh, lending an ironic paradox to
existence. We will look for themes dealing with this inherent paradox or
contradiction of existence in all our readings. This course will involve
lectures and discussions of the works students will read outside the classroom
as homework. The professors will offer background and contextual information
for each of the works to be considered and will lead students in careful
textual analysis of the novels we read. You will write short critical
responses to selected readings, a final, in-depth, analytical, researched
essay, and will be responsible for in-class writing assignments (possibly
quizzes), and a short presentation on one or more of the readings.
Course
Objectives
As a result of this course, the students will be able to do the
following:
* Understand and articulate the
major concepts, patterns, and precepts of the branch of
philosophy known as existentialism
* Distinguish the ideologies,
periods, and aesthetics of various examples of existential literature;
* Evaluate the literary
significance of certain representative writers of existential literature, as
well as certain influential texts;
* Be familiar with major
theoretical strands in philosophy and literary criticism related to
existentialism;
* Begin to show awareness of
existential literature in its biographical, historical, artistic, and
intellectual contexts.
* Articulate a written critical
argument that requires analytical close reading of modern fiction.
T
Three critical responses to assigned readings (5 pages each).
You do not have to do any research or additional reading but should write
detailed analysis of one particular passage, theme, concept or issue from one
or more of our readings in which you demonstrate detailed analysis.
T
An in-depth, final, researched analytical essay
(10-12 pages) in which you explore one or more works of existential literature
and philosophy, either according to a theoretical or contextual framework from
class, or an equivalent one you research on your own. You must discuss your
topic with at least one of the professors before beginning work on the
assignment. Part of the grade for this assignment will be based on mandatory
completion of a written proposal and annotated bibliography of your sources.
(More details below)
T
A presentation in which you respond in class
(from prepared notes) to an assigned reading. This will require you to lead
the discussion for no more than 10 minutes of class time.
Everyone will give one classroom presentation–either individually or with
another person. The presentation should be short (about 7 minutes). On the day
that you give your presentation you must turn in during class time a
three-page paper that summarizes the reading and poses a question on the text.
T
In-class written responses to the readings
(grade-wise these may count as quizzes but may not be formatted as traditional
quizzes).
T
Regular, active attendance. Be prepared to ask and answer
questions, and to raise and discuss issues of significance to this class.
T
Timely completion of all assignments. Readings
are to be completed before the lecture on the day on which they are to
be discussed.
Critical Responses: 30%
Participation
(quizzes, etc.):
20%
Presentation:
10%
Final
Essay:
20%
First
Draft
10%
Proposal
10%
Grades
on individual assignments will be based on effort and thoughtfulness as well
as correctness of logic and development of ideas. Critical responses should
use the text as a guide in analysis. Prior to mid-semester, you will
receive feedback on your academic performance in this course.
Contact
E-mail
us if you have any questions or concerns about the class, readings, or
assignments. It is your responsibility as a student to keep up with work and
any changes in the syllabus (even for classes you may miss). Late work will
not be accepted and make-up tests will not be possible. Attendance in this
class is mandatory. Respectful participation is expected. This syllabus is a
guide and is subject to revision. It is your responsibility as a student to
note and adhere to any changes.
Participation
This course will be a
seminar – that is a discussion where everyone is encouraged to participate.
Participation counts toward your final grade. Active, respectful participation
means listening to others’ opinions, presentations, and ideas even if an
initial reaction is to disagree. Responses should be thoughtful, respectful,
and based on readings or class information. Critical thinking (the basis of
all college education and higher reasoning) requires you to attend to various
sides of issues. You should learn to evaluate, compare, and judge information
based on reason and logic rather than emotion. Active participation involves
listening attentively and respectfully as much as it involves speaking.
Aggressive or rude behavior will not be tolerated and will result in lower
participation points.
Attendance Policy
Since one of the most important goals of this seminar is to
interpret these texts together, attendance is mandatory. More than two
absences will result in the assignment of extra work and/or the down grading
of a student's final grade. If you must be absent and have a documented excuse
(legitimate excuses include documented medical problems, documented extreme
family emergency, or a documented official school activity), be sure to inform
us of your absence and show us your documentation. You must always keep track
of (and still turn in on time) any work or assignments you miss. More than two
absences (including excused absences) in one semester are not allowed except
in extreme situations (which must be discussed with us promptly).
Academic Honesty
Cheating and plagiarism are unethical and
unacceptable (and a waste of your tuition). Doing your own work helps you
learn and makes the most of your experience here. Any time that a student quotes more
than five words from someone else without quotations and proper footnoting,
this constitutes plagiarism. Proven
cases of plagiarism will result in a grade of "F," which cannot be
made up. On your written assignments we are asking for a close reading of the
text. This does not mean that you are simply to copy the text. Again, if you
copy more than five words from the text without using quotation marks and
without footnoting your source you are guilty of plagiarism. Egregious
cases of plagiarism will result in the failure of the course and/or reporting
of the offense to the college.
Incompletes
The grade of incomplete will be given only in special
circumstances such as illness, accident, or death in the family.
Special Notice to Students in
Milledgeville
In the event of a fire alarm signal students should exit the
building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit.
First and Second floor classes should exit through ground level exits;
Third floor classes through the nearest stairwell to a ground level exit.
Do not use an elevator. Third
floor stairwells are areas where disabled people may communicate with rescue
workers. Be familiar with the
floor plan and exits of this building. (Source:
GC&SU Coordinator of Environmental Health and Occupational Safety)
Requests for Modifications
Any student requiring instructional modifications due to a
documented disability should make an appointment to meet with the instructor
as soon as possible. An official
letter from GC&SU documenting the disability will be expected in order to
receive accommodations. (Source: GC&SU Special Education Coordinator).
Calendar
of Classes / Readings
Readings should be
completed before the beginning of class on the date assigned
Week
1
Wed.
8-18
Introduction to Class, syllabus distributed, first lecture on
existentialism
Week
2
What is existentialism? Read:
Essays by Sartre, “Existentialism is a Humanism”
& Heidegger, “Letter on Humanism”
Week
3
Wed.
9-1
Read and discuss Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling (1843) (read
pp. 55-123)
Week
4
Wed.
9-8
Read and discuss Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground (1864) (read
all)
1st Critical Response DUE
Week
5
Wed.
9-15
Read and discuss Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols (1888) (read
all)
Week
6
Wed.
9-22
Read and discuss Kafka, The Trial (1925/1914) (read pp. 3-110)
Week
7
Wed.
9-29
Read and discuss Kafka, The Trial (1925/1914) (read pp. 111-231)
ESSAY PROPOSAL DUE (appts. for conf. before this time)
Weeks
8
Wed.
10-6
Read and discuss Sartre, No Exit (1946) (read pp. 3-46)
& Begin to Read and discuss de Beauvoir, She Came to Stay
(1954) (read pp. 1-68)
2nd
Critical Response DUE
Week
9
Wed.
10-13 Read
and discuss de Beauvoir, She Came to Stay (1954) (read pp. 69-211)
Weeks
10
Wed.
10-20 Read
and discuss de Beauvoir, She Came to Stay (1954) (read pp. 215-404)
Week
11
Wed.
10-27 Read
and discuss Abe, The Woman in the Dunes (1964) (read pp. 3-120)
Week
12
Wed.
11-3
Read and discuss Abe, The Woman in the Dunes (1964) (read pp.
120-239)
1st Draft of Paper due
Week
13
Wed.
11-10 Read
and discuss Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984) (rd pp.
3-127)
Week
14
Wed.
11-17 Read
and discuss Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1984) (rd pp.
131-314)
Week
15
Wed.
11-25 THANKSGIVING
– NO CLASS
Final Draft due Monday 11-23 in our offices
Wed. 12-1
Read and discuss Hale, The Jailing of Cecelia Capture (1985)
(read all)
Week
17
Final Critical Response DUE
Thursday December 2 by noon in our offices
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