PH9HE-30 Beauvoir's Existentialism
Introductory description
This module introduces one of the most important thinkers in 20th Cent. French Philosophy: Simone de Beauvoir. Through Beauvoir's work, we will explore central themes in 20th Century French Philosophy across different philosophical areas, including philosophy of mind, feminism, philosophy and literature, and social and political philosophy.
Module aims
This module aims (a) to provide students with a broad and deep introduction to a leading figure in 20th Cent. French Philosophy, (b) to provide them with an understanding of how such work engages with other philosophical interlocutors; (c) to get them to think clearly and critically about the positions espoused; and (d) to encourage them to develop their own original philosophical arguments and research projects. No prior knowledge of 20th Cent. French thought is required.
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.
Weeks 1-3: Foundational Themes (Ethics of Ambiguity, Pyrrhus and Cineas)
Weeks 4-6: Identity and Existentialism (The Second Sex)
Weeks 7-9: Philosophy by Other Means (selected essays on literature, She Came to Stay)
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand and write critically on one of the major figures of the twentieth-century French tradition in philosophy.
- The ability to expound and explain difficult modern philosophical texts in written form.
- Understand and interpret certain texts that are central to modern Continental philosophy, and relate them to on-going philosophical debates.
- Understand a significant portion of the modern Continental philosophical landscape.
- The ability to expound and explain difficult modern philosophical texts in oral form.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Subject specific skills
Students will acquire an in-depth knowledge of 20th Cent. French Philosophy.
Students will acquire a familiarity with and develop a critical assessment of key figures in post-Kantian European philosophy.
Students will acquire greater skill in explaining and assessing complex philosophical positions.
Transferable skills
Communicate clearly and substantively at an advanced level both in speech and in writing on the main issues addressed in the module.
Provide a clear analysis of complex arguments and consistently compare the substance of different philosophical views.
Properly evaluate conflicting interpretations and critically engage with them.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 2 hours (6%) |
| Private study | 282 hours (94%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Private study and essay preparation
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 A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| 5000 word essay | 100% | Yes (extension) | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Written feedback on essays
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:
- Year 1 of TPHA-V7PN Postgraduate Taught Philosophy and the Arts
This module is Option list D for:
- Year 2 of TPHA-V7PM Postgraduate Taught Philosophy
This module is Option list E for:
- Year 1 of TPHA-V7PM Postgraduate Taught Philosophy