C. Guignon &  D. Pereboom, Existentialism: Basic Writing, 2nd. Ed.
Friedrich Nietzsche, Nietzsche Selections
Jean-Paul Sartre, Nausea
Albert Camus, Myth of Sisyphus

This course is designed to introduce students to a recent movement in philosophy that has left a profound influence on contemporary western thought.  Movements in philosophy which are not simply variations of an older theme, but which are truly original, are rare. Existen-tial-ism is one of the more recent of such genuinely innovative movements. Jean-Paul Sartre’s works from the middle decades of the 20th Century are some of the most influential texts of this movement. Accordingly, we will spend considerable part of the term becoming familiar with Sartre’s thought. However, we will also seek to come to an understanding of the development of the existentialist outlook. To this end we will begin with readings from two precursors to 20th Century existentialism, namely Nietzsche and Kierkegaard.  We will then move on to consider the most important existentialist thinker besides Sartre, Heidegger, whose thought lays the groundwork for Sartre’s own.

The readings for the course will all be primary texts from important existentialist philosophers. This will give students a firsthand feel for these influential thinkers. While existentialism has been a movement whose influence extends far beyond the confines of philosophy to literature, film, theater, and graphic arts, we will be largely concerned with its manifestation as a philosophical position. At the same time, however, our texts will include some literary selections in addition to the philosophical texts.


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Students will be expected to attend every class and to have prepared the reading for each class.  If there is some legitimate reason that you cannot be in class, please notify the instructor beforehand. Class participation will be graded on the basis of student performance in three areas: attendance; prep¬aration; the quality of in-class participation (including in-class writing exercises and on-line forums). The class participa¬tion grade will be given the same weight as paper grade (18% of the course grade).

Students will be required to submit two papers (target length = six pages). These papers will be due at assigned times during the course of the semester and the topic area will be given out by the instructor at least one week prior to their due date. Both papers may be rewritten and resub¬mitted for a grade change, however, only significantly revised papers will be considered. Re-write submissions must include the previously submitted version with instructor’s comments, along with the new version. There is no maximum number of times a student may submit a rewritten paper, There will be no specific due dates for voluntary rewrites (although none will be accepted after the last class day). The grade for rewritten papers will replace the previous grade if it is higher.  Each paper will count 18% of the course grade. 

Each student will also required to complete two examinations during the course of the semester. These exams will typically involve a significant essay component.  Each exam will be weighted equally (23% of course grade).

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