PHIL 759 : European Continental Philosophy 3

Arts

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Discussion of selected topics in European continental philosophy.

Course Overview

This course will focus on one of Friedrich Nietzsche’s most popular and influential books, Thus Spoke Zarathustra -- A Book for All and None (1883-85). We will work through the book section by section and will discuss his key ideas which include the Superhuman, the Will to Power, the Eternal Recurrence, and the Death of God. We will also consider importantly Nietzsche’s associated views on the relativity of truth, the value of suffering, and the meaning of human life. In conjunction with the original text, we will compare and contrast the views of contemporary interpreters of Nietzsche’s positions as expressed in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and consider alternative interpretations of the character of Zarathustra in this key work.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of of advanced philosophical texts (Capability 1.1 and 3.1)
  2. Critically evaluate and write informatively about advanced philosophical texts (Capability 1.1 and 2.1)
  3. Think seriously and to write about meaning-of-life and suffering-in-the-world related issues (Capability 4.1 and 6.3)
  4. Explain the development and influence of Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical thought (Capability 1.1 and 4.2)
  5. Communicate the results of one's research in an oral presentation to one's peers (Capability 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay 100% Individual Coursework

There will be one 6,000 word essay due at the end of the semester.  Development of the essay will involve an essay proposal, consultation with the instructor, and approval of the topic.

Next offered

The content of PHIL 759: European Continental Philosophy changes each time it is offered.  The last time Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra was taught in this course was in 2016.

Module

There are no module details for this postgraduate course.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course.  For this course, there will be 24 hours of lectures with the added expectation of 8 hours of reading and thinking about the content per week in conjunction with 30 hours of work applied to the 6,000 word coursework essay (=150 hours for a 15 point course).

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance and participation is seriously expected at the scheduled activities of the course, namely, each two-hour weekly meeting.  Each student is expected to attend every class meeting.


Lecture recordings may not be available in this postgraduate course.  It is significantly a discussion course not particularly suitable for recording and the class typically meets in  a small seminar rooms, some of which are not recording-equipped.


The course will not include live online events.  We will meet in the classroom where a presentation by the instructor and class discussion of the course readings will take place each week.  Everyone is expected to prepare the readings for each week in anticipation of the discussion.


The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery.

Learning Resources

We will be reading Friedrich Nietzsche's 1883-1885 work Thus Spoke Zarathustra.  Everyone is expected to have a copy of this book, which is available free online in some translations.  The Walter Kaufmann translation is preferred.  All other materials will be provided electronically on the course Canvas webpage.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 22/12/2020 04:46 p.m.