PHIL 845 Major Figures I (Emmanuel Levinas)
- None.
Cross Listed with PHIL 445
one-way Exclusions
- Seminars
- Students are expected to acquire a print copy of Totality and Infinity to bring to class, other essential materials will be made available electronically and in the form of a printed course reader. Students may find it helpful to read Levinas鈥 鈥楾otality and Infinity鈥: A Reader鈥檚 Guide by William Large. This is an optional supplementary text, not a required text.
Instructor: Jacqueline Davies
This seminar offers an introduction to the work of 20th century philosopher Emmanuel Levinas (1906-1995), focused on a close reading of his first major book, Totality and Infinity. We consider, for example, what it means to think ethics phenomenologically, what Levinas meant by 鈥渆thics as first philosophy,鈥 the significance of the encounter with 鈥渢he face of the Other,鈥 and the relation between Levinasian ethics, politics, and religion. Our study of the primary text will be supplemented with study of some essays by Levinas, introductory level secondary sources, interviews with Levinas, and lectures situating his work in relation to his other works, events of the 20th century, his engagement with Jewish textual traditions and other major figures of 20th century European philosophy (e.g., Husserl, Heidegger, Buber, and Rosenzweig), as well as Plato and Descartes. Our major emphasis is on advanced philosophical reading skills, expository writing, and deep engagement with the themes explored.
Assessments
Assessments
Exam, essay and presentation rubrics reflect differing expectations of senior undergraduate and graduate students.