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PH924-20 Nietzsche

Department
Philosophy
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Keith Ansell-Pearson
Credit value
20
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

This module provides an advanced introduction to Nietzsche, one of the most seminal thinkers in the tradition of continental philosophy.

Module aims

The principal aim of this module is to provide an advanced introduction to Nietzsche and a rich appreciation of aspects of his intellectual development and philosophical character. To aid the inquiry the module draws upon the best recent and current Anglo-American research on Nietzsche, as well as making use where relevant of seminal texts from within the history of Nietzsche-reception. The focus is on the texts of Nietzsche’s fertile but often neglected middle period. Whilst early commentators such as Havelock Ellis considered these writings to be the pinnacle of Nietzsche’s intellectual maturity, core aspects of them remain under-studied to this day and they have played little role in the ‘continental’ reception of Nietzsche. The module aims to show that these writings are of crucial importance to any genuine appreciation of Nietzsche’s philosophical practice. Texts to be studied include the volumes of Human, all too Human, Dawn, and The Gay Science.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1: Introduction to Nietzsche's intellectual Development, the Middle Writings, and the Art of the Aphorism

Reading:

HAH 35-38

On Readers and Writers: MOM 129, 142, 153, 156, 165, 168, 396; WS 87, 88, 92, 109, 110, 125, 128, 214.

Week 2: On Philosophy and the Philosopher

On the 'closest things': WS 5-6, 7, 16, 310.

MOM 5, 27, 28, 31, 182, 184, 201, 211, 223, 271, 326, 332, 337, 356, 380, 386, 401, 408.

WS: 1-4, 8, 18-19, 72, 86, 171, 213, 227 (see also 192), 267, 269, 295, 308, 329.

See also: D 440, 530, & 547; GS 99.

Week 3: On Morality, Freedom of the Will, and Punishment

MOM 33, 71, 88, 90, 236.

WS 21-22, 40-41, 44, 45, 70, 216

On 'freedom of the will' see: WS 9-12, 23-24, 28, 318.

See also: HAH 39, 42, 43, 45, 57, 68, 92, 95, 97, 99, 102, 105, 107; and D 9, 16, 18, 19; D 202.

Week 4: On Vanity & the Passions

Vanity: MOM 46; WS 31, 60, 181, 304

See also: HAH 43, 79, 82, 89; and D 105, 365, 385, 521, 552; and GS 21: GS 87, 162.

The passions: HAH 60, 62, 103; MOM 148, 220; WS 33, 37, 53, 222; see also: WS 29-30, 33-34, 69, 237, 259; see also: GS 290, 359: GS 302-303.

On joy see: MOM 62, 187; WS 183, 332, 350; see also D 422; GS 239, 338.

Week 5: On Compassion/Pity & the Sympathetic Affects

HAH: 45-46, 49, 50, 72, 103, 104; MOM 68; WS 45, 50; D 18, 30,

D 142, D 174; TSZ: 'Of the Compassionate'.

D 132-148; D 383

GS 13, 118, 119, 338.

READING WEEK

Week 7: On Love and Friendship

Love: HAH 69, MOM 37, 75, 95, 287; WS 301; D 150, 151, 309, 479, 488, 532; GS 14, 263 & GS 363.

Friendship: HAH chapters, 6, 7, and 9, e.g. 305, 354, 376, 378, 491, 499; D 287, 503, 532; GS 14, 61, 279.

Week 8: On Poets, Literature, and Art

MOM 31, 99, 111, 113, 162, 169, 170-172, 174-178, 227; WS 140; see also D 551; GS 84.

Week 9: On Nature & On Music

For nature see: MOM 49; WS 195, 200, 201, 205, 338; see also D 423 (& 483), 427.

For music see: MOM 134, 159; WS 154, 166-168; see also: D 114, 142, 172, 216, 255; GS 103, 183, 317, 368.

Week 10: On Christianity and On Politics

On Xitianity: MOM 96-98, 224-225; WS 57, 81, 83-85; see also D 39, 58, 60, 61, 62, 64, 68, 73, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 87, 92, 96 plus 321; GS 135, 138, 139.

On Politics: MOM 179, 304, 310, 323; WS 187-189, 218, 220-221, 275-276, 279, 281, 284, 286, 288, 292-293; see also HAH Chapter eight 'A Glance at the State'.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • By the end of the module students should have a sound and scholarly understanding of Nietzsche’s middle writings, including an appreciation of its importance in his intellectual development and for his campaign against morality; they should also be able to discuss incisively and critically his key concepts and ideas both in seminar discussions and written work.
Indicative reading list

Nietzsche, Human, all too Human in two volumes (Stanford UP)
Nietzsche, Dawn (Stanford UP)
Nietzsche, The Gay Science (Random House)

Subject specific skills

Close textual reading skills.
Hermeneutic skills.
Advanced reasoning skills.
Fluency in essay writing.

Transferable skills

Strong presentation skills, verbally and in writing.
Skills in logical and analytical reasoning.
Skills in creative thinking.

Study time

Type Required
Seminars 9 sessions of 2 hours (9%)
Private study 182 hours (91%)
Total 200 hours
Private study description

No private study requirements defined for this module.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time
5000 word essay 100%
Feedback on assessment

Feedback on essays will be provided on the coversheet for the essay, addressing standard areas
of evaluation and individual content.

Courses

This module is Core option list A for:

  • TPHA-V7P2 Postgraduate Taught Continental Philosophy
    • Year 1 of V7P2 Continental Philosophy
    • Year 2 of V7P2 Continental Philosophy

This module is Option list A for:

  • TPHA-V7PM Postgraduate Taught Philosophy
    • Year 1 of V7PM Philosophy
    • Year 2 of V7PM Philosophy

This module is Option list B for:

  • TPHA-V7PM Postgraduate Taught Philosophy
    • Year 1 of V7PM Philosophy
    • Year 2 of V7PM Philosophy

This module is Option list C for:

  • TPHA-V7PM Postgraduate Taught Philosophy
    • Year 1 of V7PM Philosophy
    • Year 2 of V7PM Philosophy