PHILOSOPHY 344 - TOPICS IN PHENOMENOLOGY

Q TuTh 1:00-2:20
327 GH
Schroeder

Topic: Merleau-Ponty's Philosophy

            This course will attempt to cover all aspect of Merleau-Ponty's thought, including his theories of perception, of the lived body, of the perceived object, of consciousness, temporality, and freedom.  It will include sections on the early book, The Structure of Behavior, and the late, unfinished work on metaphysics, The Visible and the Invisible.  The course will also examine the developments in Merleau-Ponty's political stances and philosophy of history, his aesthetics, his philosophy of language, and his theories of child development.  We will attempt to read virtually all of his major writings, consider potential objections to his various stances, clarify the contemporary implications of his ideas, and assess his overall contribution to Continental philosophy.

            There will be a mid-term paper (8 pages), a term paper 12-15 pages), and a final exam.  The final exam will cover the entire course.  Regular attendance is expected.  The course will be 75% lecture and 25% discussion approximately.  The reading load will be significant.  The course presupposes students have had one other course in Continental philosophy (225, 341, 343, 311, 347, a 312 on Hegel or Nietzsche, for example) or two other advanced (300-level)  courses in philosophy.