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PHIL20500

Academic Year 2024/2025

Phenomenology & Existentialism (PHIL20500)

Subject:
Philosophy
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Philosophy
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Danielle Petherbridge
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course offers an introduction to and critical assessment of some of the key figures of the phenomenological tradition, the most prominent European philosophical movement of the twentieth century, and the movement that inspired the existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Merleau-Ponty, and others.

In the first part of the module we generally explore the work of key phenomenological figures such as Husserl, Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty, and consider their views on the nature of human existence, meaning, consciousness, perception and relations to others. We then look at the existentialism of Sartre, Beauvoir and Camus and consider their views on the anxiety, alienation, freedom, being and nothingness. In the final third of the module we examine the way contemporary philosophers draw on phenomenology to critique issues such as racism, social invisibility and solitary confinement in prisons.

There are three components of assessment: (1) An essay due in week 7 (40%); (2) A final assignment that may take the form of a written essay or other written format as advised by your module coordinator due in week 14 (45%); (3) Participation in tutorials throughout the semester (15%). Further and final information will be provided in lectures.

If you are taking this module as an elective - you may be interested in pursuing a Structured Elective programme in Philosophy (this will entail taking two more Philosophy electives). Your University Transcript could show that you have a Structured Elective in Existential Philosophy & Critical Theory, as appropriate. For further details: See: https://www.ucd.ie/students/electives/structuredelectives.html

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Understand the meaning of the phenomenological approach; (2) Be able to apply the phenomenological method to critically analyze a range of different areas central to human experience (such as human nature, sociality, consciousness); (3) Have a clear sense of the development of the phenomenological tradition and existentialism in the twentieth century; (4) Appreciate the manner in which phenomenology relates to other movements in twentieth century philosophy (hermeneutics, critical theory, deconstruction); (5) Be able to read and comprehend critically classical phenomenological and existential texts.

Indicative Module Content:

This course offers an introduction to and critical assessment of some of the key figures of the phenomenological tradition, the most prominent European philosophical movement of the twentieth century, and the movement that inspired the existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Merleau-Ponty, and others. Particular attention will be given to the works of Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, and Beauvoir, as well as key influences on the development of phenomenology. Themes treated may include some or all of the following: intentionality, perception, consciousness, the life-world, the nature of human existence, freedom, embodiment, relations between self and other, empathy and intersubjectivity. Details will be updated before the commencement of the module.

If you are taking this module as an elective - you may be interested in pursuing a Structured Elective programme in Philosophy (this will entail taking two more Philosophy electives). Your University Transcript could show that you have a Structured Elective in Existential Philosophy & Critical Theory, as appropriate. For further details: See: https://www.ucd.ie/students/electives/structuredelectives.html

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

98

Lectures

20

Tutorial

7

Total

125


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, tutorials, independent learning, feedback on assignments.

Please note, according to the UCD Generative AI Use in Module Assignments Traffic Light Warning System, the assignments in this module will adhere to the Amber Warning Light System. This means you may only use generative Al for assignments in this module for certain purposes only and only under the guidance of your module coordinator and within academic integrity guidelines. (‘Amber’)

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is recommended that students doing this module should have already done 3 stage 1 modules. You are advised to consult the module co-ordinator in advance of choosing this module if you have not done philosophy before.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL30010 - Phenomenology & Existentialism


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): First Essay on a topic from the first half of the module. Week 7 Graded Yes
40
Yes
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in Tutorials throughout the trimester Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10 Graded No
15
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Final Essay Week 14 Graded Yes
45
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given to individual students post-assessment.

Name Role
Juliana Bezerra de Albuquerque Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Denise Kelly Tutor
Ms Aisling Phipps Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Tues 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Tues 11:00 - 11:50