Existentialism, Hermeneutics and Phenomenology

1. Discuss the meaning, origin, and basic teachings of existentialism, hermeneutics, and phenomenology.
2. Explain the historical development of existentialism, hermeneutics, and phenomenology.
3. Examine the basic themes and issues in existentialism, hermeneutics, and phenomenology.
4. Identify the major authors/figures associated with existentialism, hermeneutics, and phenomenology.
5. Apply the concepts of existentialism, hermeneutics, and phenomenology to contemporary issues.

13 weeks, about 42 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Conceptual Clarifications

   • Unit 1: Existentialism · 2 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 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..

2. Week 2Module 1: Conceptual Clarifications

   • Unit 3: Hermeneutics · 2 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 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..

3. Week 3Module 2: Some Major Themes in Existentialism

   • Unit 1: Freedom, Choice and Responsibility · 3 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..

4. Week 4Module 2: Some Major Themes in Existentialism

   • Unit 2: Meaning of Life · 3 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..

5. Week 5Module 2: Some Major Themes in Existentialism

   • Unit 3: Man and Society · 2 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 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..

6. Week 6Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

   • Unit 1: Sören Kierkegaard · 3 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..

7. Week 7Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

   • Unit 2: Friedrich Nietzsche · 3 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..

8. Week 8Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

   • Unit 3: Martin Heidegger · 3 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..

9. Week 9Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

   • Unit 4: Jean-Paul Sartre · 3 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..

10. Week 10Module 3: Key Figures in Existentialism

    • Unit 5: Martin Buber · 3 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..

11. Week 11Module 4: Understanding Phenomenology

    • Unit 1: Edmund Husserl and the Method of Phenomenology · 3 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..

12. Week 12Module 4: Understanding Phenomenology

    • Unit 2: The Phenomenological Method · 3 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..

13. Week 13Module 4: Understanding Phenomenology

    • Unit 3: Epoche as a Key Theme in Phenomenology · 3 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..