LN253GC Half Unit
European Literature and Philosophy (Spring Semester)
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Olga Sobolev PEL 6.01a and Dr Angus Wrenn PEL 6.01a
Availability
This course is available to General Course ‘Spring Semester’ students.
Pre-requisites
Although an A-level pass or equivalent in Literature is useful, it is not an absolute requirement (especially for General Course students).
Course content
(a) Literary treatment of the major philosophical trends of the twentieth century, including Nietzsche's perspectivism, the analytical school of Russell; political philosophy of Isaiah Berlin, the existentialism of Heidegger and Sartre, the paradox of the absurd of Camus, French and East European Phenomenology; Wittgenstein and philosophy of language (b) Related trips to galleries and theatre productions during the year; (c) Use of archive recordings of authors, and video; (d) Students encouraged to draw upon background in their main discipline, and to read widely.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 1 hour of lectures and 1 hour of classes in the ST.
Structured activities during the reading week in the LT. Revision workshops and tutorals in the ST.
This course has a reading week in week 6 of the Lent term.
Formative coursework
One essay per term; topically based research presentations.
Indicative reading
Dostoevsky Crime and Punishment (extracts) & The Grand Inquisitor (extracts); Kafka Metamorphosis; St-Exupery The Little Prince; Solzhenitzyn One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich; Camus L'Etranger & The Myth of Sisyphus; Kundera The Unbearable Lightness of Being; Stoppard Dogg's Hamlet Cahoot's Macbeth
Assessment
Exam (80%, duration: 3 hours) in the summer exam period.
Presentation (20%) in the LT.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Language Centre
Total students 2019/20: Unavailable
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Capped 2019/20: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills
