Johns Hopkins University 3 credits Humanities - Liberal Arts
Through readings, discussions, and critical analysis, students will explore existentialist perspectives on freedom, choice, authenticity, and the search for meaning in life. The course will consider existentialist literature, art, and film to contextualize philosophical concepts within broader cultural and historical contexts. Existentialist authors that will be discussed include: Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Buber, Musil, Sartre, Beauvoir, and Kundera. We will try to understand what the existentialist angle on life is, and whether it is applicable to the 21st Century.Unlike traditional approaches to philosophy, the thinkers discussed in this class do not attempt to provide final answers to a traditional set of questions, such as “What is human nature?” “What is the meaning of life?” “What is truth?” Rather, philosophical inquiry emerges within the context of specific practical concerns of human beings, who live in a finite world with no objective standards as guidance. There is a sense of predicament, alienation, estrangement, radical freedom, and responsibility common to these thinkers. What do these characteristics of human life imply for how we (should) relate to ourselves, others, and the world? What kind of society should we build? How can we find consolation and meaning in life? Despite significant differences, all authors discussed in this class do what all good philosophy does: they make you think and ask questions. Upon completion of this class, you will be able to:-Understand the historical development and key concepts of existentialist philosophy.-Analyze existentialist texts and critically engage with primary sources.-Explore existentialist themes such as freedom, choice, alienation, authenticity, and the absurd.-Examine existentialist perspectives on ethics, morality, and the nature of existence.-Apply existentialist insights to contemporary issues and personal experiences.The culmination of this class will be topics selected by students as part of an engaging group work assignment.
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