EXISTENTIALISM

SYLLABUS VERSION 1
UPDATED 08/22/2016

Eric Yahnker Selected Reading: Nausea (2009). Image by permission from the artist.

DR. RAND
PHIL 3060/H
FALL 2016

PHIL 3060/H Fall 2016 -- Rand

PLEASE READ THE PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT SYLLABUS STATEMENT ON THE LAST TWO PAGES OF THIS HANDOUT
THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION. MODIFIED VERSIONS WILL BE POSTED TO THE COURSE ULEARN PAGE

Basic Course Information:

Instructor:

T/Th 1.30-2.45, ALC 313

CRN: 86646 [Honors: 86647]
WAC Consultant: Matthew Delhey (mdelhey1@student.gsu.edu)
Tutor Office Hours: TBD

Sebastian Rand
srand@gsu.edu // 404.413.6100
Office Hours: T, 9-12
25 Park Pl., #1612

Preliminaries
Course Objectives
Philosophically, the aim is to get you thinking about the main themes of Existentialist philosophy, their
historical development, and their continuing influence. Since this is a course in the Writing Across the
Curriculum program, a further aim is to encourage you to use writing as a way to learn and understand. And
since this is also a course in the Global Education Initiatives program, a yet further aim is to help you situate
Existentialism in 19th- and 20th-century global culture.
Students with disabilities
All students have a right to learn under conditions of equality and fairness. If you have a disability that the
University and I can address through specific accommodations, please notify both me and the Disability
Services Office by the end of the first week of class so that proper accommodations can be made.

How the Course Works

Basics
***see details under Fine Print, below***
Heres what I expect from you:
You come to every session, on time, having done the reading
You use no electronic devices of any kind in class
You budget at least 5 hours per week for preparation for this class (reading, writing)
You hand in your work on time
You follow the Universitys rules about proper conduct and academic honesty
Heres what you can expect from me:
A well-organized course on the basics about Existentialism
Lectures that clearly explain the readings
Ongoing discussion/Q&A responding to your questions/doubts
Timely, clear comments and clearly explained grades on all your work
Support for those with further questions and curiosity in office hours
Textbook
The required course text is:

[BWE]

Marino, Gordon (ed.): Basic Writings of Existentialism, Modern Library, ISBN: 0375759891

It is available at the University Bookstore and online. Other texts will be posted as PDFs or links on iCollege.
Grades
Your grade will be based on weekly online writing, in-class writing, two papers, and an exam. Heres the math:
Online Writing=20%
Paper 1=20%
In-Class Writing=15%
Paper 2=25%
Final Exam/Project=20%
Online Writing
Every Thursday, before class, you submit a 200-300 word online response to the reading via iCollege. These
responses are just there to get your mind thinking critically about the reading before class. So in the response,
you should reflect on a claim, argument, or implication of some reading that has been assigned since the last
response deadline. By thinking critically, I mean something along these lines: raising a point from the
reading, as you understand that point, and then suggesting a criticism of that point. You do not have to actually

PHIL 3060/H Fall 2016 -- Rand

buy into the criticism you suggest; you can raise a criticism and then reject it. A model response is posted
online for you to get an idea of what Im after. You should budget about 30-45 minutes of work for each of
these responses. They should be written carefully, avoiding abbreviations, online acronyms, or other forms of
informal writing. The WAC Consultant (Matthew) will comment on these online, and I will grade them as follows:
3 points: Assignment done, and clearly adequate
2 points: Assignment done, but neither clearly adequate nor clearly inadequate
1 point: Assignment done, but clearly inadequate
0 points: Assignment not done
For the final online writing grade, I will drop your single lowest grade and convert the average over the
remaining grades in a way that roughly translates as: 3=A, 2=C, 1=D, and 0=F. Details of the formula are
available on request.
Papers
You also have to write two longer papers, which youll submit as Word (.doc/.docx) files via iCollege. The WAC
Tutor will comment on them in Word, suggesting corrections in grammar, style, expression, etc. and then return
them to you. Then you will make the corrections and resubmit the papers. Here are some rules:

Your papers should have titles expressive of their content (not just Paper #1, for example).
No title pages or cover pages.
Include the date, word count, and your name.
Number the pages.
Use the following formatting: 12pt font, 1 margins, double spacing.
Word length: Paper 1: 1000-1400; Paper 2: 1250-1650.
Dont plagiarize, and dont feel you have to do research. Just do the reading and write about it.
Details about paper standards, grading methods, and other things will be given in an online handout with the
suggested paper topics. See the schedule below for precise dates for all this stuff.
In-Class Writing
I dont take attendance and theres no formal attendance requirement. Instead, I give frequent unannounced
short in-class writing assignments, with no make-ups. Theyre graded just like the online ones.
Final Exam/Final Project
All students either take an in-class final or do a final project. Heres a general idea of the difference:
Final Exam: You write two essays in blue books, over about two hours. The questions can be about anything
from the course.
Final Project: You prepare your own Beginners Guide to Existentialism. Detailed instructions will be
distributed later in the semester.

Honors Section
Honors Meetings
In addition to the normal course requirements, all students enrolled in the honors section must meet with me
together during the first week of classes to discuss and choose additional research and writing goals for the
course. Once we have settled on those goals, I will design specific required assignments to meet them.
Grades
Grades for students in 3060H will be calculated as follows:
Online Writing=15%
Paper 1=25%
In-class writing=15%
Final Paper =30%

Research Proposal=15%

PHIL 3060/H Fall 2016 -- Rand

The Fine Print

Attend class!
Although there is no formal attendance policy after the first three weeks, you are expected nonetheless to
attend every class session. Any student missing two or more class periods in the first three weeks of class is
subject to possible withdrawal by me. This does not guarantee withdrawal; if you wish to withdraw from the
course, you should do it yourself.
Focus in class!
I do not allow the use of cell phones, laptops, or any other portable electronic devices during class (exceptions
are possible for students with demonstrated needs for such devices, where needs is not synonymous with
desires). Each time I observe a student using such a device, I will make a note of it to myself and deduct
points from their next paper, giving the reason for the points deduction on the paper.
If you repeatedly disturb or disrupt class (see the relevant definitions of such behavior here:
http://www2.gsu.edu/%7Ewwwdos/codeofconduct_adminpol_a.html), either by the use of electronic devices,
passing notes, reading newspapers, or in any other way, you may be withdrawn from the course or given an F.
Keep up with the work!
This 3-credit-hour course meets for 2.5 hours/week. You should expect to spend at least double that amount
of time per week on out of class work, meaning a minimum of 5 hours for this class outside of lecture time
each week. (At that rate, a 15-credit-hour semester would require 37.5 hours of class time and out of class
work per week, meaning a full-time student would still work fewer hours than at a full-time job.) What this
means, practically speaking: you are expected to do the assigned readings before the first date under which
they are listed. Then you are expected to do them again at least once during the week(s) in which they are
being lectured on. You are responsible for all material, including material covered on days you missed.
Get your work in on time!
Late assignments are accepted for full credit only in cases of grave medical problems evidenced by a doctors
note in which the doctor explicitly states that your condition made it impossible not only for you to attend class,
but for you to submit the work by e-mail, as well as for documented family deaths and other events of that
kind. Car problems, sniffles, misfortune of various kinds, and the desire to do something other than your
coursework do not count as excuses for late papers. Unexcused late papers are graded down a letter step
(e.g., A to A-, C+ to C) for each calendar day they are late. When you submit your assignment by e-mail, I must
receive it with a time-stamp prior to the start of class or within the first 15 minutes of class on the day the
assignment was due; otherwise I will consider it late and grade it down accordingly. Failure to hand in a draft
of your paper to the Writing Tutor will result in a full grade drop in your papers grade.
Be honest!
I take a particularly dim view of violations of the Universitys academic honesty policy (reproduced at the end of
this syllabus). As a result, I will gleefully and vigorously pursue any and all remedies available to me in any such
case. At the very least, for any violation of the academic honesty policy whatsoever, you will fail the course.
There is a simple way for you to avoid the gruesome and protracted torture of such a process and its inevitably
painful result: do your own work, and when in doubt, cite.
Capitalize on the WAC Tutor!
This is a class with a good deal of writing, and we are fortunate to have a tutor sponsored by the Writing Across
the Curriculum program. The tutor will give you comments on your written assignments, and will meet with you
in person to talk about your writing if you wish.
The writing consultant has office hours (see first page above). I encourage you to attend his office hours,
bringing any drafts or commented and handed-back assignments you would like to review.

PHIL 3060/H Fall 2016 -- Rand

Schedule of Readings and Writing Assignments

Date

Aug

Sept

Oct

Lecture Topic

Reading

Written Work

23

Introduction:
Before the Law

None

25

Kierkegaard:
How did Abraham exist?

Fear and Trembling

Problema 1 (BWE 7-23)

Online Response

30

Kierkegaard:
How did Abraham exist?

Fear and Trembling

Problema 1 (BWE 7-23)

None

Kierkegaard:
This is the terrifying aspect of it

Fear and Trembling

Problema 2 (BWE 24-39)

Online Response

Kierkegaard:
But what is the self?

The Sickness unto Death

First two parts (BWE 41-57)

Kierkegaard:
In possibility everything is possible

The Sickness unto Death

Section C (BWE 58-105)

13

Nietzsche:
But how is this forgetting possible?

On the Genealogy of Morals

First Essay (BWE 111-144)

15

Nietzsche:
The gravest and uncanniest illness

On the Genealogy of Morals

Second Essay (BWE 145-187)

20

Nietzsche & Kierkegaard:

Summary

[Review previous readings]

22

Film:
Breathless (Godard)

None

Paper #1 to Tutor

27

Film:
Breathless (Godard)

None

None

29

Dostoevsky:
Utility, Desire, and the Individual

Notes from the Underground

Part 1 (BWE 193-230)

Heidegger:
What about this nothing?

What is Metaphysics?
[iCollege]

Corrected Paper Due

Heidegger:
What about this nothing?

What is Metaphysics?
[iCollege]

Online Response

11
Midpoint

Nishitani Keiji:
Buddhism and Nihilism

Nihilism and Religion and

Nothingness, Selections [iCollege]

None

13

Nishitani Keiji:
Buddhism and Nihilism

Nihilism and Religion and

Nothingness, Selections [iCollege]

Online Response

18

Sartre:
A person can live in bad faith

Being & Nothingness

Selections (BWE 369-409)

None

None
Online Response
None
Online Response
[Paper Topics Handout]
None

Online Response
[Paper Comments Posted]

None

PHIL 3060/H Fall 2016 -- Rand

Oct

20

Sartre:
A person can live in bad faith

Being & Nothingness

Selections (BWE 369-409)

25

Sartre:
Existentialism, Atheism, Humanism

Existentialism [is a Humanism]

(BWE 341-367)

27

Heidegger, Nishitani, Sartre:

Summary

[Review Previous Readings]

Online Response

Camus:
The Absurd

The Myth of Sisyphus

Selections (BWE 441-492)

None

Camus:
The Absurd

The Myth of Sisyphus

Selections (BWE 441-492)

Online Response
[Paper Topics Handout]

Beauvoir:
Ambiguity

The Ethics of Ambiguity

Selections (BWE 413-436)

None

10

Ellison:
Invisibility and Light

Invisible Man
Prologue (BWE 495-505)

Paper #2 to Tutor

15

Fanon:
An Object among Other Objects

Black Skin, White Masks

The Lived Experience of the Black
Man [iCollege]

None

17

Fanon:
An Object among Other Objects

Black Skin, White Masks

The Lived Experience of the Black
Man [iCollege]

Online Response
[Paper Comments Posted]

Nov

1
Dec
6

None

Thanksgiving Holiday No Classes

21-25
29

Online Response

Beauvoir:
What is a woman?

The Second Sex

Introduction [iCollege]

Corrected Paper Due

Beauvoir:
Existence, Freedom, Social Power

The Second Sex

Introduction [iCollege]

None

Final Exam
10:45am 1:15pm
Final Projects Due
5pm

PHIL 3060/H Fall 2016 -- Rand

Department of Philosophy
General Syllabus Statement Fall 2016

This syllabus provides a general plan for the course. Deviations may be necessary.
The last day to withdraw from a course with the possibility of receiving a W is Tuesday,
October 11.
Students are responsible for confirming that they are attending the course section for
which they are registered. Failure to do so may result in an F for the course.
By University policy and to respect the confidentiality of all students, final grades may not
be posted or given out over the phone. To see your grades, use PAWS.
The customary penalty for a violation of the academic honesty rules is an F in the course.
See the University Policy on Academic Honesty on the reverse of this sheet. Copying or
using material from the internet without citation is a violation of the academic honesty
rules.
A student may be awarded a grade of W no more than 6 times in their careers at Georgia
State. After 6 Ws, a withdrawal is recorded as a WF on the student's record. A WF counts
as an F in a GPA.
Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping
education at Georgia State University. Upon completing the course, please take the time
to fill out the online course evaluation.
Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability must do so by registering
with the Office of Disability Services in Suite 230 of the Student Center. Students may
only be accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services of a singed
Accommodation Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors
of all classes in which an accommodation is sought.

Subscribe to one of our department listservs for current information and events:
Undergraduate Students:
http://philosophy.gsu.edu/undergraduate/listserv
Graduate Students:
http://philosophy.gsu.edu/graduate/listserv
For more information on the philosophy program visit:
http://philosophy.gsu.edu

PHIL 3060/H Fall 2016 -- Rand

Policy on Academic Honesty, from the GSU Catalog

As members of the academic community, students are expected to recognize and uphold standards of
intellectual and academic integrity. The university assumes as a basic and minimum standard of conduct in
academic matters that students be honest and that they submit for credit only the products of their own efforts.
Both the ideals of scholarship and the need for fairness require that all dishonest work be rejected as a basis for
academic credit. They also require that students refrain from any and all forms of dishonor-able or unethical
conduct related to their academic work. The universitys policy on academic honesty is published in the Faculty
Handbook and On Campus: The Student Handbook and is available to all members of the university community.
The policy represents a core value of the university, and all members of the university community are
responsible for abiding by its tenets. Lack of knowledge of this policy is not an acceptable defense to any charge
of academic dishonesty. All members of the academic communitystudents, faculty, and staffare expected to
report violations of these standards of academic conduct to the appropriate authorities. The procedures for such
reporting are on file in the offices of the deans of each college, the office of the dean of students, and the office
of the provost. In an effort to foster an environment of academic integrity and to prevent academic dishonesty,
students are expected to discuss with faculty the expectations regarding course assignments and standards of
conduct. Students are encouraged to discuss freely with faculty, academic advisers, and other members of the
university community any questions pertaining to the provisions of this policy. In addition, students are
encouraged to avail themselves of programs in establishing personal standards and ethics offered through the
universitys Counseling Center.
Definitions and Examples
The examples and definitions given below are intended to clarify the standards by which academic honesty and
academically honorable conduct are to be judged. The list is merely illustrative of the kinds of infractions that
may occur, and it is not intended to be exhaustive. Moreover, the definitions and examples suggest conditions
under which unacceptable behavior of the indicated types normally occurs; however, there may be unusual
cases that fall outside these conditions that also will be judged unacceptable by the academic community.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is presenting another persons work as ones own. Plagiarism includes any
para-phrasing or summarizing of the works of another person without acknowledgment, including the submitting
of another students work as ones own. Plagiarism frequently involves a failure to acknowledge in the text,
notes, or footnotes the quotation of the paragraphs, sentences, or even a few phrases written or spoken by
someone else. The submission of research or completed papers or projects by someone else is plagiarism, as is
the unacknow-ledged use of research sources gathered by someone else when that use is specifically forbidden
by the faculty member. Failure to indicate the extent and nature of ones reliance on other sources is also a form
of plagiarism. Any work, in whole or in part, taken from the Internet or other computer-based resource without
properly referencing the source (for example, the URL) is considered plagiarism. A complete reference is
required in order that all parties may locate and view the original source. Finally, there may be forms of
plagiarism that are unique to an individual discipline or course, examples of which should be provided in
advance by the faculty member. The student is responsible for understanding the legitimate use of sources, the
appropriate ways of acknowledging academic, scholarly or creative indebtedness, and the consequences of
violating this responsibility.
Cheating on Examinations: Cheating on examinations involves giving or receiving unauthorized help
before, during, or after an examination. Examples of unauthorized help include the use of notes, computerbased resources, texts, or "crib sheets" during an examination (unless specifically approved by the faculty
member), or sharing information with another student during an examination (unless specifically approved by
the faculty member). Other examples include intentionally allowing another student to view ones own
examination and collaboration before or after an examination if such collaboration is specifically forbidden by
the faculty member.
Unauthorized Collaboration: Submission for academic credit of a work product, or a part thereof,
represented as its being ones own effort, which has been developed in substantial collaboration with another
person or source or with a computer-based resource is a violation of academic honesty. It is also a violation of
academic honesty knowingly to provide such assistance. Collaborative work specifically authorized by a faculty
member is allowed.
Falsification: It is a violation of academic honesty to misrepresent material or fabricate information in
an academic exercise, assignment or proceeding (e.g., false or misleading citation of sources, falsification of the
results of experiments or computer data, false or misleading information in an academic context in order to gain
an unfair advantage).
Multiple Submissions: It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial portions of the same
work for credit more than once without the explicit consent of the faculty member(s) to whom the material is
submitted for additional credit. In cases in which there is a natural development of research or knowledge in a
sequence of courses, use of prior work may be desirable, even required; however the student is responsible for
indicating in writing, as a part of such use, that the current work submitted for credit is cumulative in nature.
8