PHIL30970 Phenomenology and History

Academic Year 2023/2024

The fundamental question of this Module will be: in which manner and according to which Law are we to confront the question pertaining to the meaning of History. Our primary task will therefore lie in deploying the Hegelian systematic appropriation of historical becoming through the dialectical actuality of reason. Following the speculative elaboration of the question pertaining to the meaning of History, we will analyse the contestations and critiques of the Hegelian dialectical structure of reason in history in order to open and liberate, through Husserlian and Heideggerian phenomenology, a novel approach to historical events and thereby to signification in History. This passage from Hegel's dialectic of History to transcendental phenomenology (Husserl) and fundamental ontology (Heidegger) will mark a significative leap from the speculative appropriation of meaning in History to the constitution and comprehension of History as a the donation of singular events which exceed the pretentions of reason. Specific attention will therefore be brought to the signification of this leap in philosophical thinking and its effects on ethics and responsibility, memory and testimony, truth and judgment, representation and freedom.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Excellent comprehension of Hegelian dialectic and Husserlian / Heideggerian phenomenology.
Excellent understanding of fundamental concepts in Hegel, Husserl and Heidegger.
Excellent understanding of fundamental questions in the history of contemporary continental philosophy.

Indicative Module Content:

The fundamental concepts which will be studied are:
Speculative dialectic, Transcendental phenomenology, Fundamental ontology, memory, subjectivity, history, truth, testimony, justice, historical events, reason in history, meaning and signification, recognition, intersubjectivity, historical objectivity, ethics.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

7
Autonomous Student Learning

98
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The Module will be based on lectures and class-discussion. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Knowledge with German Idealism from Kant to Hegel is recommended.
Familiarity with phenomenology (Husserl and Heidegger) is recommended.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Final Essay Submission (4500 words approx.) End of trimester MCQ n/a Graded No

50
Assignment: In Class written assignment based on textual excerpts. Week 12 n/a Graded No

25
Assignment: In Class written assignment based on textual excerpts. Week 6 n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
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, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given to each student individually both prior and after each assessment in meeting with Module coordinator.

Hegel, Reason in History
Husserl, The Crisis of European Sciences and Transcendental Phenomenology
Heidegger, Being and Time
Ricoeur, Memory, History, Forgetting
Gadamer, Truth and Method
Name Role
Nathan Mulder 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 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn