This course provides an overview of existential philosophy. It is a 4-credit course offered in Spring 2020 that will be delivered both asynchronously and synchronously online due to COVID-19. Key topics include freedom, existence, embodiment, and death. Assignments include exams, an interview, and course engagement activities. The course aims to help students understand existential concepts and their relation to contemporary issues.
This course provides an overview of existential philosophy. It is a 4-credit course offered in Spring 2020 that will be delivered both asynchronously and synchronously online due to COVID-19. Key topics include freedom, existence, embodiment, and death. Assignments include exams, an interview, and course engagement activities. The course aims to help students understand existential concepts and their relation to contemporary issues.
This course provides an overview of existential philosophy. It is a 4-credit course offered in Spring 2020 that will be delivered both asynchronously and synchronously online due to COVID-19. Key topics include freedom, existence, embodiment, and death. Assignments include exams, an interview, and course engagement activities. The course aims to help students understand existential concepts and their relation to contemporary issues.
This course provides an overview of existential philosophy. It is a 4-credit course offered in Spring 2020 that will be delivered both asynchronously and synchronously online due to COVID-19. Key topics include freedom, existence, embodiment, and death. Assignments include exams, an interview, and course engagement activities. The course aims to help students understand existential concepts and their relation to contemporary issues.
Course Credits This course combines approximately 120 hours of instruction, online activities, and assignments for 4 credits.
Prerequisites None
Professor: Dr. S. Jenkins
Email: jenkstep@oregonstate.edu Virtual Office Hours Only Office Hours: Thursdays, 4:00-5:30pm or by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Hunter Davidson
Email: davidshu@oregonstate.edu
Course Logistics Due to the COVID-19 remote transition, we will be using a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous learning delivery mechanisms: • Asynchronous: Pre-recorded content will be offered weekly via Canvas, which you may watch at your own pace. • Asynchronous: You will participate in a weekly discussion board chronicling your pandemic experience. • Synchronous: Virtual class will be held via Zoom on Tuesdays only during regularly scheduled class time. The lecture portion of class will be recorded and uploaded to Canvas, as a backup measure for those who are not able to attend. • Synchronous: Optional, open office hours will be held during our Thursday course time. Attend via Zoom to check in with your professor and peers. Join SHPR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/osu.shpr
Course Description “Philosophy is an axe. Everything you believe is questionable. How deeply have you questioned it? The uncritical acceptance of beliefs handed down by parents, teachers, politicians, and religious leaders is dangerous. Many of these beliefs are simply false. Beliefs can be handed down. Knowledge can perhaps be handed down. Wisdom can never be handed down. The goal of philosophy is wisdom. Trying to hand down philosophy is unphilosophical. Wisdom requires questioning what is questionable. Since everything is questionable, wisdom requires questioning everything. That is what philosophy is: the art of questioning everything.” –Daniel Kolak & Raymond Martin
Who are you? Why are you here? Does your life matter? Existentialism is a kind of philosophy that attempts to understand the meaning of human existence. The exact definition and scope of this label has been heavily debated in the discipline of philosophy; some so-called “existentialists” lived and wrote long before the term was coined and Heidegger even denied that he was one. Despite these disputes, essential common ground is shared among these key historical thinkers: the creative power of freedom, the disenchantment of the modern world, the primacy of the individual, etc.
Through the examination of these and other major themes in the field of existentialism, we will seek to understand the broader philosophical issues at stake, such as the very meaning and importance of freedom, existence, embodiment, and death. Over the course of the term, students will learn to identify and analyze philosophical problems related to existential philosophy and literature.
Baccalaureate Core
Successful completion of this course partially fulfills OSU’s Baccalaureate Core
course requirements in the Perspectives category under Western Culture.
Students in Western Culture courses shall:
1. Identify significant events, developments, and/or ideas in the Western cultural experience and context. 2. Interpret the influence of philosophical, historical, and/or artistic phenomena in relation to contemporary Western culture. 3. Analyze aspects of Western culture in relation to broader cultural, scientific, or social processes. For more information, including details on other ways to meet this requirement, visit: http://oregonstate.edu/main/baccalaureate-core
By focusing on existential philosophy as an aspect of Western Culture, PHL 203 will
incorporate these learning outcomes into required readings, class discussions, and assignments. Your work will be evaluated according to course-specific measurable student learning outcomes.
Measurable Student Learning Outcomes
1. Recognize, define, and explain significance of core concepts and themes in existential philosophy 2. Interpret the significance of historical events, art, and Western culture in relation to existential philosophy 3. Analyze central existential concepts and themes in relation to contemporary cultural, social, and political events and concerns
Required Learning Resources:
All course resources are available online. Check Canvas modules for weekly schedule. Assigned readings & resources Canvas CMS Zoom account WeCroak smartphone application Camus, The Plague (Vintage International, Stuart Gilbert translation)
Course Requirements: 1. Mid-term Exam 2. Final Exam 3. Interview assignment 4. Course engagement (Pandemic Journal & other assigned activities)
Evaluation & Grading
Evaluation of Student Performance
Term grades are based on the following scale.
Grade Percentage Grade Percentage
A 93-100% C 73-76% A- 90-92% C- 70-72% B+ 87-89% D+ 67-69% B 83-86% D 63-66% B- 80-82% D- 60-62% C+ 77-79% F Below 60%
Course Policies: Academic Integrity Students are expected to comply with all regulations pertaining to academic honesty. For further information, visit Avoiding Academic Dishonesty, or contact the office of Student Conduct and Mediation at 541-737-3656.
OAR 576-015-0020 (2) Academic or Scholarly Dishonesty:
a) Academic or Scholarly Dishonesty is defined as an act of deception in which a
Student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person, or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic work or research, either through the Student's own efforts or the efforts of another.
b) It includes:
(i) CHEATING - use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or
study aids, or an act of deceit by which a Student attempts to misrepresent mastery of academic effort or information. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized copying or collaboration on a test or assignment, using prohibited materials and texts, any misuse of an electronic device, or using any deceptive means to gain academic credit.
(ii) FABRICATION - falsification or invention of any information including but not
limited to falsifying research, inventing or exaggerating data, or listing incorrect or fictitious references.
(iii) ASSISTING - helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty. This
includes but is not limited to paying or bribing someone to acquire a test or assignment, changing someone's grades or academic records, taking a test/doing an assignment for someone else by any means, including misuse of an electronic device. It is a violation of Oregon state law to create and offer to sell part or all of an educational assignment to another person (ORS 165.114).
(iv) TAMPERING - altering or interfering with evaluation instruments or documents.
(v) PLAGIARISM - representing the words or ideas of another person or presenting
someone else's words, ideas, artistry or data as one's own, or using one's own previously submitted work. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to copying another person's work (including unpublished material) without appropriate referencing, presenting someone else's opinions and theories as one's own, or working jointly on a project and then submitting it as one's own.
c) Academic Dishonesty cases are handled initially by the academic units, following the process outlined in the University's Academic Dishonesty Report Form, and will also be referred to SCCS for action under these rules.
Attendance Engaged participation is mandatory, but flexible. Virtual class meetings will be recorded and made available via Canvas if you are unable to attend during the regularly scheduled time.
Course Announcements Students are expected to check email and Canvas for announcements, schedule changes, documents, and notes.
Email If you have questions about our class, please post in our Canvas “General Q&A Discussion Board.” However, if email about a private matter is necessary, I will usually be able to respond within one full business day. Here are some strongly encouraged email tips.
Expectations for Student Conduct
Student conduct is governed by the university’s policies, as explained in the Office of Student Conduct: Information and Regulations.
Make-Up Policy No make-up in-class assignments or exams will be given in this course without instructor approval.
Reach Out Reach Out for Success: University students encounter setbacks from time to time. If you encounter difficulties and need assistance, it’s important to reach out. Consider discussing the situation with an instructor or academic advisor. Learn about resources that assist with wellness and academic success at oregonstate.edu/ReachOut. If you are in immediate crisis, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting OREGON to 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Readings & Assignments
You must bring a copy (paper or electronic) of all readings to class sessions.
Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities
Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098. Important Course Deadlines • Follow weekly assignment schedule, as per Canvas • Pandemic Journal Discussion Board o Original posts due Wednesday at 11:59pm o Two reply posts due Sunday at 11:59pm • Midterm exam due 5/10 at 11:59pm • Interview assignment due 5/17 at 11:59pm • Final exam due 6/9 at 11:59pm
