Module description
This course aims to introduce students to certain keys literary texts and the philosophical topics they explore. It also aims to introduce students to certain key conceptual issues concerning the relations between philosophy and literature. Topics that will be raised in the course will include: what is the distinctive contribution that literature and philosophy each make towards an understanding of religion and morality in the broadest senses of these terms? Are there topics which can best be understood from a philosophical, rather than literary, point of view, or vice versa? What kinds of critical concepts do we need in exploring philosophical, alternatively, literary texts? Can we even speak of texts as ‘literary’ and ‘philosophical’ in such a broad-brush way? And, most importantly, what are the respective contributions of philosophy and literature to a humane education?
There is no requirement to read foreign language texts in the original languages, but students will be encouraged to do so if possible.
For more information please refer to the module description.
Assessment details
2 hour exam (100%)
Semester 1 only Study Abroad students will be set an alternative assessment in lieu of an exam.
Teaching pattern
Two-hour weekly classes over 10 weeks
Suggested reading list
Preliminary reading
Key texts (to be used throughout the course)
- Conrad, Heart of Darkness
- Svevo, La coscienza di Zeno (Zeno’s Conscience [or Confessions of Zeno])
- Camus, La Chute (The Fall)
- Sebald, Die Ringe des Saturn (The Rings of Saturn)