IST3013-1-WI14 - Kierkegaard &ExistentialistTheology;

Edward Antonio
E-mail: eantonio@iliff.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment

Course Description

This course is a critical exploration of the writings of some of the key figures associated with the movement in philosophy, theology and literary criticism known as Existentialism. The course examines the work of Søren Kierkegaard alongside that of thinkers such as, Martin Heidegger, Fredrick Nietzsche, and Jean-Paul Sartre.

The course will be particularly focused on how the major themes of Existentialism intersect with religious and theological concerns at many crucial points. Thus special attention will be given to topics such as guilt, faith, decision, self-consciousness, responsibility, fear, being, death and many others.

1. Special Needs/ADA Statement

   If you have concerns about accommodations as stipulated in the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact your assigned adviser to initiate the process of requesting accommodations. You can contact your adviser through the Advising Centre at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303.765.1146. Students enrolled in the Joint PhD Program should also contact Disabled Persons’ Resources at the University of Denver. Accommodations for D.U. classes are coordinated through this office, which is located in Driscoll Center South, Suite 036, 303-871-2585 V/TDD.

2.  

   Use of Laptops

   Please make sure that your cell or mobile phones are switched off when in class. Note also that if you wish to use your laptop, tablet and smartphone  to take notes you must do so responsibly. Do not use your laptop,tablet or smartphone in class to check email, do online shopping, play games,  and consult Wikipedia,or other sites to fact check lecture or class presentation content. You can do that afterwards. Respect yourself, your instructors, and your fellow students.
   

3. Course Objectives

   The course has four basic aims:

   1. To introduce students to the context, methods, commitments, movements and basic claims of Existentialism as both a movement and a set of philosophical claims through through an analysis of Kierkegaard's legacy;
   2. To familiarize students with some of the critical and substantive contribution of Existentialism to theology and to religious studies;
   3. To explore particular issues arsing out of this ‘tradition’ of thinking that are currently shaping philosophical discussion;
   4. To equip students to develop a critical and carefully reasoned appreciation of the contribution of both Kierkegaard and the thinkers covered in this course.

4. Course Requirements

   • Attendance at all classes
   • Complete all prescribed  assignments
   • You are required to do all the assigned weekly readings which will serve as the basis for class discussion
   • Active participation in class, including participation in group  and online discussions
   • Observance of class etiquette and protocols

5. Books for the Course

   Primary  and Required Texts

   Soren Kierkegaard, Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments Vol. 1. Edited and Translated by Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong. NJ Princeton University Press, 1992; 0-691-02081-7.

   Soren Kierkegaard,  Practice in Christianity: Soren Kierkegaard’s Writings Vol. 20 Edited and Translated by Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong. NJ Princeton University Press; 1991: ISBN: 13 978-0-691-02063-1 and 10: 0-1691-02063-9.

   Soren Kierkegaard, Either/Or Part 1. Vol. 3 Edited and Translated by Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong. NJ Princeton University Press 1978. ISBN 0-691-02041-8.

   Charles Guignon and  Derk Pereboom, Existentialism: Basic Writings: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. Indianapolis/Cambridge 1995: 0-87220-215-1 and 087220-214-3.

    

   Secondary and Highly Recommended Texts

   Martin J. Matustik and Merold Westphal, Kierkegaard in Post/Modernity. Bloomington and Indianapolis 1995. 0-253-20967-6.

   Jonathan Ree and Jane Chamberlain, Kierkegaard: A Critical Reader. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1998.0-631-20199-8.

    

   See Taylor Library's list of online book sellers for purchasing options.

6. Books for the Course

   Primary  and Required Texts

   Soren Kierkegaard, Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments Vol. 1. Edited and Translated by Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong. NJ Princeton University Press, 1992; 0-691-02081-7.

   Soren Kierkegaard,  Practice in Christianity: Soren Kierkegaard’s Writings Vol. 20 Edited and Translated by Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong. NJ Princeton University Press; 1991: ISBN: 13 978-0-691-02063-1 and 10: 0-1691-02063-9.

   Soren Kierkegaard, Either/Or Part 1. Vol. 3 Edited and Translated by Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong. NJ Princeton University Press 1978. ISBN 0-691-02041-8.

   Charles Guignon and  Derk Pereboom, Existentialism: Basic Writings: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. Indianapolis/Cambridge 1995: 0-87220-215-1 and 087220-214-3.

    

   Secondary and Highly Recommended Texts

   Martin J. Matustik and Merold Westphal, Kierkegaard in Post/Modernity. Bloomington and Indianapolis 1995. 0-253-20967-6.

   Jonathan Ree and Jane Chamberlain, Kierkegaard: A Critical Reader. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1998.0-631-20199-8.

    

   See Taylor Library's list of online book sellers for purchasing options.

7. Class Format

   Seminar

   Each member of the class will be required to make a presentation to class on a  topic chosen from one of the class readings. I will guide the discussion, answer questions and expound on obscure points or points of concern to students.

8. Quality Class Participation Defined

   Class Participation is not:

   • Attending class. While on the one hand, the simple fact of turning up  and being in class does not count as participation, on the other, repeated and unexcused  absence from class will count against you
   • Uninformed  comments, statements, claims and would-be arguments do not count as participation
   • Over-participation: Be warned of the dangers of being besotted with the sound of your own voice and  the appearance of your own ideas.This can lead to monopolizing the floor, over-participation, irrelevance and the exclusion and silencing  of other voices.

   Quality Class Participation is comprised of:

   • Comments  that contribute to the continuity and focus of the class discussion.This disallows off-the-wall comments

   • Comments that are relevant and connect with the input and contributions of others

   • Comments that are focused, critical while being constructive and, if necessary, controversial without being rude or disrespectful

   • Comments that demonstrate in-depth analysis and  are well supported by good arguments, solid data and relevant sources

   • Comments that make connections between material and ideas in different parts of the class or between this and other classes

   • Comments that provide examples from your own observations or experience of the subject under discussion

   • Active participation in group or team activities in class

   Finally, civility in the give and take of rigorous and critical class discussion is a requirement. Discussion questions in class will be formulated to provoke passion and disagreement, and, of course, there always is more than one viable approach to resolving problems presented in any context. Again, disagree without being disagreeable.
   

   These comments are intended to give you a general sense of what I am looking for in class discussions. These comments are not intended to be an exhaustive checklist of the precise and only criteria I will use.

9. Kierkegaard Seminar Winter 2014: Class Presentations Roster

    

   January 23:               Either/Or;  pp. 167-230

   January 30:               Either/Or; pp.233-445

   February 06:             Practice In Christianity; pp.1-262

   February 13:             Concluding Unscientific Postscript; pp.5-125

   February 20:             Concluding Unscientific Postscript; pp.129-251

   February 27:            Concluding Unscientific Postscript; pp.301-360

   March 06:                 Nietzsche and Heidegger,

                                         Guignon and Pereboom, Existentialism: Basic Writings…pp. 85-246

   March 13:                 Sartre

                                          Guignon and Pereboom, Existentialism: Basic Writings…pp.246-340.

    

    

    

10. This class cannot be taken on a pass/fail basis.
    You are reminded that plagiarism is an offense for which you will be severely penalized. It is your responsibility to consult the Masters Student Handbook for a definition of plagiarism and other instances of academic dishonesty.
    

     

    I will not entertain incompletes except in cases of a demonstrated medical or other emergence or reported learning disability as per ADA requirements which clearly prevents you from completing the assignment in the allotted schedule.

     

     Lack of proper planning on your part does not count as an emergence.

11. Etiquette

    • Please always address  your professors by title or by last name unless they indicate otherwise
    • Respect your fellow students at all times
    • Always wait your turn to speak and do not monopolize the floor
    • Allow others who may be less forthcoming to make their contribution before you return to the floor