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PHL312Arts3 Unitsintermediate

Existentialism, Hermeneutics and Phenomenology

This course introduces students to existentialism, hermeneutics, and phenomenology. It explores the meaning, nature, and fundamental themes within these philosophical traditions. Students will learn about the historical development, key figures, and core issues in each discipline. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these influential philosophical movements and their impact on contemporary thought.

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208h

Study Time

13

Weeks

16h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

ExistentialismPhenomenologyHermeneuticsPhilosophyInterpretation

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📚

Math Level

No Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Existentialism

2

Phenomenology

3

Hermeneutics

4

Freedom and Responsibility

5

Meaning of Life

6

Man and Society

7

Theistic and Atheistic Perspectives

Total Topics7 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

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Counselor

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Educator

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Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AcademiaTheologySocial WorkCounselingResearch

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: Conceptual Clarifications

4h

Unit 1: Existentialism

2 study hours

•Read Unit 1: Understand the etymology of 'existentialism' and its philosophical significance.
•Explore Kierkegaard's concept of 'infinite interest in existence'.
•Identify the historical context of existentialism as a reaction against systems of thought.

Unit 2: Phenomenology

2 study hours

•Define 'phenomenology' and its focus on direct description of experiences.
•Differentiate between phenomenon and noumenon according to Kant and Husserl.
•Examine the historical usage of 'phenomenology' by Brentano, Mach, Pfander, and Hegel.

Week

2

Module 1: Conceptual Clarifications

4h

Unit 3: Hermeneutics

2 study hours

•Trace the etymology of 'hermeneutics' to the Greek god Hermes.
•Understand hermeneutics as the art of interpreting texts in literature, religion, and law.
•Explore the development of hermeneutics from biblical studies to a philosophical theory.

Unit 4: Existentialism, Phenomenology and Hermeneutics: A Synthesis

2 study hours

•Synthesize the relationship between existentialism, phenomenology, and hermeneutics.
•Understand how existentialists adopt the phenomenological method.
•Explore how the application of phenomenology to existentialism influenced hermeneutics.

Week

3

Module 2: Some Major Themes in Existentialism

3h

Unit 1: Freedom, Choice and Responsibility

3 study hours

•Define freedom, choice, and responsibility within the context of existentialism.
•Discuss the inherent relationship between these concepts.
•Examine Sartre's perspective on freedom and responsibility.

Week

4

Module 2: Some Major Themes in Existentialism

3h

Unit 2: Meaning of Life

3 study hours

•Explore the existentialist notion of life and death.
•Understand why existentialists emphasize the priority of existence over essence.
•Examine the factors that assail human existence: facticity, anguish, and death.

Week

5

Module 2: Some Major Themes in Existentialism

4h

Unit 3: Man and Society

2 study hours

•Discuss the existentialist notion of man and his relationship with the world.
•Explain the relationship between man and other members of society.
•Understand the concepts of authentic and inauthentic existence.

Unit 4: Existence vs non-existence of God

2 study hours

•Differentiate between theistic and atheistic existentialism.
•Discuss the position of theistic existentialists on the existence of God.
•Examine the arguments of atheistic existentialists against the existence of God.

Week

6

Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

3h

Unit 1: Sören Kierkegaard

3 study hours

•Discuss the person of Søren Kierkegaard and his influence on existentialism.
•Examine Kierkegaard's concept of the three stages of existence.
•Understand Kierkegaard's critique of Hegelian philosophy.

Week

7

Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

3h

Unit 2: Friedrich Nietzsche

3 study hours

•Discuss the person of Friedrich Nietzsche and his influence on existentialism.
•Examine Nietzsche's concept of the 'will to power' and 'superman'.
•Understand Nietzsche's critique of traditional morality and religion.

Week

8

Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

3h

Unit 3: Martin Heidegger

3 study hours

•Discuss the person of Martin Heidegger and his influence on existentialism.
•Examine Heidegger's concept of 'Dasein' and 'being-in-the-world'.
•Understand Heidegger's ontological approach to hermeneutics.

Week

9

Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

3h

Unit 4: Jean-Paul Sartre

3 study hours

•Discuss the person of Jean-Paul Sartre and his influence on existentialism.
•Examine Sartre's concept of 'existence precedes essence' and 'bad faith'.
•Understand Sartre's views on freedom, responsibility, and anguish.

Week

10

Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

3h

Unit 5: Martin Buber

3 study hours

•Discuss the person of Martin Buber and his philosophy of dialogue.
•Examine Buber's concepts of 'I-Thou' and 'I-It' relationships.
•Understand Buber's views on the importance of encounter and mutuality.

Week

11

Module 4: Understanding Phenomenology

3h

Unit 1: Edmund Husserl and the Method of Phenomenology

3 study hours

•Discuss the motivation behind Husserl's phenomenological views.
•Examine Husserl's idea of phenomenology as a rigorous science.
•Explain the notions of descriptive and transcendental phenomenology.

Week

12

Module 4: Understanding Phenomenology

3h

Unit 2: The Phenomenological Method

3 study hours

•Discuss the basic features of the phenomenological method.
•Explain the two forms of attitudes connected to the phenomenological method: natural and phenomenological.
•Understand the importance of bracketing and reduction in phenomenology.

Week

13

Module 4: Understanding Phenomenology

3h

Unit 3: Epoche as a Key Theme in Phenomenology

3 study hours

•Understand the meaning of epoche and its centrality in the phenomenological method.
•Explain epoche as the method of reductions.
•Discuss the various forms or types of reduction that epoche characterizes: phenomenal, eidetic, and transcendental.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking key themes across existentialism, phenomenology, and hermeneutics.

2

Compare and contrast the views of major figures like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, and Heidegger.

3

Practice applying phenomenological reduction to analyze everyday experiences.

4

Develop arguments for and against the existence of God from an existentialist perspective.

5

Review key definitions and terminology from each philosophical tradition weekly.

6

Focus on understanding the historical context and intellectual influences of each philosopher.

7

Outline the main arguments and counterarguments for each major philosophical position.

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