French Existentialism (277-0-20)

Instructors

Scott P Durham
8474914660
1860 S. Campus Drive, Crowe Hall #2-141

Noran Mohamed

Meeting Info

University Hall 122: Mon, Wed 10:00AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

This course, taught in English, will serve as an introduction to existentialism, which not only defined the literary, philosophical and political culture for French intellectuals of the post-war period, but also remain indispensable for an understanding of various currents of contemporary literature and culture. We shall begin by discussing the philosophical and literary foundations of existentialism. Then we will examine the moral, social and political questions central to existentialism, as worked out in the fiction, drama, and essays of such authors as Sartre, Beauvoir, Beckett, and Fanon. Finally, we will consider the extent to which post-existentialist thought and culture may be read as a continuation of or as a reaction against existentialism.

Class Materials (Required)

1. Beauvoir, The Second Sex

2. Beckett, Waiting For Godot

3. Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth

4. Genet, The Screens

5. Sartre, What is Literature?

6. Sartre, Nausea

7. Sartre, The Flies

Class Attributes

Interdisciplinary Distro-rules apply
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Ethics & Values Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - Kresge Cent. Hall 2-380 Kaplan: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - Kresge Cent. Hall 2-380 Kaplan: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-325: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-331: Fri 3:00PM - 3:50PM