Existentialism and its Origins | PHIL1021 | University of Southampton

Module overview

How should I live my life and does it matter that I do so in good faith? What is it to live an authentic existence in light of the fact that that existence will at some point end? How is living authentically or in good faith related to being oneself, an individual, as opposed to being just one of the crowd? These are among the central questions that ‘existentialist’ thinkers, such as Kierkegaard, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Heidegger, try to answer. This module aims to introduce you to the different perspectives that some of the most prominent existentialists have on such questions, and to give you the chance to reflect on these issues in light of their work.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

some of the central themes in the work of existentialist thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Heidegger.
what it means to live in good or bad faith, to lead an authentic existence, and to be an individual.
how the different perspectives provided by the existentialists relate to each other.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

contribute to discussion of controversial issues in a dispassionate fashion
take notes from talks and written materials.
work effectively to deadlines.
present ideas clearly and concisely in writing.
undertake, with adequate supervision, independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

compare and contrast different views on the issues the module concern.
critically evaluate the ideas and arguments the existentialists advance.
interpret complex texts and positions.
present and debate ideas in writing, in an open minded and rigorous way.

Syllabus

The syllabus may vary from year to year. Topics may include:

good and bad faith
authenticity
anxiety and death
individuality
becoming or overcoming who you are
fate
the death of God

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

Lectures
In class discussion
One on one consultation with the module coordinator

Learning activities include:

Attending classes
Contributing to class discussion
Doing independent research for and writing assessed essays

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	117
Teaching	33
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Blackboard.

Textbooks

T Flynn (2006). Existentialism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Essay proposal

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	50%
Essay	50%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External