PHIL31150 Phenomenology and History

Academic Year 2024/2025

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 speculative dialectic and Husserlian / Heideggerian phenomenology in relation to the question of historical meaning and consciousness.
Excellent understanding of fundamental concepts in Hegel, Husserl and Heidegger as well as contemporary phenomenology.
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, singularity and universality, the intentionality in and of historical events, rationality and narrative in and of history, meaning and signification, recognition, intersubjectivity, historical objectivity, ethics, temporality.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Practical

11
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

145
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The Module will be based on lectures and class-discussion. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL30970 - Phenomenology and History


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment(Including Essay): 4000 Words minimum end of module essay on 1 of 5 philosophical questions presented. Individual meetings with each student will be held in order to supervise research. n/a Graded Yes

50
Exam (In-person): In Class examination based on textual excerpt(s) from primary philosophical literature discussed and presented in the Module. n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
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 both prior to and post evaluations: Full reviews of both In Class Examinations will be given (and recorded) in advance of the date of the examination (week 5 for In Class Examination no. 1; week 11 for In Class Examination no. 2) to best prepare students. Individual meetings with each student will be scheduled to supervise the research and orient the redaction of the final essay component of the Module.