PHIL20600 Nietzsche: Nihilism as a Philo

Academic Year 2020/2021

The seminar will firstly focus on both the critical method of genealogy in Nietzsche’s thinking. We shall therefore examine in which manner Nietzsche reads the philosophical tradition from Plato to Hegel. In this sense, we will understand why and how Nietzsche calls for a “reversal of Platonism” and consequently insists on the necessity to critically dismantle the predominance of inherited values and their hierarchies. This first analysis on Nietzsche’s « method » of reading the philosophical tradition will enable us to deploy the modalities for what the German philosopher calls a « renewal » of thinking through which is redefined the role and activity of human existence in history. This will lead our seminar into a profound understanding of the four capital notions in Nietzsche’s writings (“nihilism”, “will to power”, “superman” and the “eternal return of the same”) which all culminate, according to Nietzsche, in the possibility to “think beyond onto-theological values” and thus towards the “force” of a “justice” for thinking which remains irreducible and thus dissociated from the traditional significance and “economy” of “truth”.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

The student will acquire a sound knowledge of Nietzsche's philosophical writing and place in the history of European continental philosophy.
The student will develop critical hermeneutical tools as well as a solid grasp of central concepts in contemporary European continental philosophy.

Indicative Module Content:

Fundamental concepts in Nietzsche's philosophy.
Interpretation of major philosophical and historical currents in Nietzsche's intellectual context.
Relation between Nietzsche's thought and the history of philosophy.
Influence of Nietzsche's thought and writing in contemporary continental philosophy.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

8
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Autonomous Student Learning

93
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This Module will be lecture based and cover all major concepts in Nietzsche's philosophical writing. One-on-one meetings with all registered students will be conducted at the mid-term mark as well as in Week 12 of term in order to identify any learning and comprehension difficulties encountered by students as well as enhance writing skills and planning of the final essay. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Class Test: Assessment based on text by author. Week 6 n/a Graded No

25
Class Test: Assessment based on text by author. Week 12 n/a Graded No

25
Essay: Final 3000 word essay based on series of essay questions which will be given in Week 2 of Term. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

One-on-one interviews and meetings will be set up with all registered students at mid-term and end of Module in order to identify any problems with comprehension of materials covered as well as to enhance writing skills and methodology for the final essay.

Primary sources:
Nietzsche, Genealogy of Morals
Nietzsche, Will to Power
Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil
Nietzsche, The Birth of Tragedy

Secondary sources:
Deleuze, Nietzsche and Philosophy, 1962
Heidegger, Nietzsche, Volumes I -IV, 1936-1942
Name Role
Seckin Goksoy Tutor
Fanqi Sun Tutor