Twentieth-Century Continental Philosophy
Philosophy 3060
Spring, 2005
Dr. Kristen Brown

Time: M/W 1:00
Place: CC 22
Office Hours: tba
Email: brownkm@millsaps.edu
Home Phone: 353-3704 (please no calls after 10:00 pm)

DESCRIPTION:
This course will focus on continental (i.e. European) philosophy of the twentieth century, with a special emphasis on phenomenology, a key lineage within the continental tradition. While the tradition of phenomenology can be shown to have practical applications to the way we live our lives and participate as citizens in our communities, our focus in this class will be on understanding the theory of phenomenology moreso than possible applications of it to our ethical and political lives.

TEXT TO PURCHASE:

Continental Philosophy: An Anthology, eds., William McNeil and Karen S. Feldman

EVALUATION:

One 4-5 page Paper 20%

Two 5-7 page Papers 40%
I will comment on an early draft
if I receive it at least 3 days
(72 hours) prior to due date

Participation and Homework 15%

Final Exam 25%

ATTENDANCE: you are permitted three absences. For every additional unexcused absence your final exam grade will be lowered one-third of a grade. Once you have received a TOTAL OF FOUR absences I will notify you and your adviser. Any additional absences may result in your receiving a grade of AF@ for the semester.

PARTICIPATION: I will keep my eyes peeled to note those who come to class prepared (having read) and who stimulate or contribute fruitfully to discussion. Such habits are good and will pay off in your participation grade in the end!

LATE PAPERS: Unexcused late papers may be docked one full grade for each day they are late. If you foresee conflicts in your schedule, please tell me well ahead of time and I will be happy to grant you an extension. (One or two days before paper is due does not count as Awell ahead of time@).

Daily Schedule (tentative)

Date Reading

Week 1
Introduction to the Course

Hussurl, pp 97-106
Week 2
Hussurl, pp 97-106

Heidegger, pp 107-122
Week 3
Heidegger, pp 107-122

Heidegger, pp 107-122
Receive Sartre Handout (excerpt from Being and Nothingness)
Assign 4-5 Page Paper

Week 4
Sartre (handout)

Sartre (handout)
Week 5
Sartre (handout)

Due: 4-5 Page Paper (today is a Wednesday and we don=t meet for class on
Wednesdays--just place the paper on or under my door by noon).

Merleau-Ponty, pp 167-175

Week 6
Merleau-Ponty, pp167-175
Assign 5-7 Page Paper

Merleau-Ponty, pp 167-175
Week 7
Review and discuss Sartre and Merleau-Ponty in light of one another.

Levinas, pp 176-185
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 8
Spring Break
______________________________________________________________________________Week 9
Levinas, pp 176-185

Due: 5-7 Page Paper (on or under my door by noon).

Levinas, pp 176-185;: A'Secret Sewers of Vice,' Disgust, Bodies and the Law@ by Martha Nussbaum
Week 10

Gadamer, pp 186-193

Week 11
Gadamer, pp 186-193

Gadamer, pp 186-193
Week 12

Derrida, pp 354-364
Assign 5-7 Page Paper

No class; instructor out of town
Week 13
Derrida, pp 354-364 .

Derrida, pp 354-364
Week 14
Irigaray, pp 421-428

Irigaray, pp 421-428

Week 15
Irigaray, pp 421-428

Due: 5-7 Page Paper

Conclusion; Q & A period in preparation for Final Exam
Finals week
Final Exam: Date and Time to be announced