This course examines some of the literary works of the fiction writers from the 20th century, whose basic themes and approaches are essentially existential. As a crisis literature, the existential essays to be covered in this course will come from familiar grounds, formal categories, as well as "regions of the mind", and the more recent developments in Existential Philosophy.
Primarily this course aims to explore the nature, development, and value of existential thought in philosophy. Consequently, this course enables the student a thorough grasp and understanding of what Existentialism is all about as well as to give the learner a chance to appreciate this crisis literature as a means for further self-discovery and understanding of self, others and the world.
Lectures, oral reports, group discussions, and creative writing.
Quizzes (35%),class participation (15%), major exams (35%), other class requirements (15%).
I. INTRODUCTION.
What is Existentialism? A historical survey of Existentialism and existential themes. Some existential philosophers. Five existential categories. The Realm of Existentialism
II. FIRST CATEGORY: THE SEARCH FOR SELF
TEXT: "The Beginning of Consciousness" by Vladimir Nabokov, "Discovering the Self" by James E. Miller, "What Life Means to Me" by Jack London, "When the Other Dancer Is the Self" by Alice Walker, "The Company Man" by Ellen Goodman
III. SECOND CATEGORY: PARENTS AND CHILDREN
TEXT: "Discovery of a Father" by Sherwood Anderson, "The Anger of a Child" by Adrienne Rich, "In My Day…" by Russell Baker
IV. THIRD CATEGORY: MEN AND WOMEN
TEXT: "Lesson 15" by Deepak Chopra, "Fiction: Happy Endings" by Margaret Atwood
V. FOURTH CATEGORY: CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
TEXT: "Leisure Will Kill You" by Art Buchwald, "A Trip Abroad" by Lewis Thomas, "Broadway and the Satellites" by Arthur C. Clarke, "Artificial Intelligence" by Grant Fjermedal
VI. FIFTH CATEGORY: FREEDOM AND HUMAN DIGNITY
TEXT: "The Man Who Was Put in a Cage" by Rollo May, "Three Days to See" by Helen Keller, "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King, Jr.
An Autobiography will be part of the requirement of this course.
Chopra, Deepak. THE WAY OF THE WIZARD: Twenty Spiritual Lessons for Creating the Life You Want. New York: Harmony Books, 1995.
The Conscious Reader. 4th Ed. New York: MacMillan Pub. Comp. , 1988.
http://amychaves.bizland.com/courses/existentialism/philo50.htm