Universität Wien
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180069 PS Jacques Derrida: A Philosophical Introduction (2018S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 45 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 02.03. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2G, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/2.Stock, 1010 Wien (Kickoff Class)
  • Friday 09.03. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2G, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/2.Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 16.03. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2G, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/2.Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 23.03. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2G, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/2.Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 13.04. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2G, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/2.Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 20.04. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2G, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/2.Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 27.04. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 2G, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/2.Stock, 1010 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course will explore the thought of Jacques Derrida through careful reading of select writings. Although some philosophical background is helpful, it is not necessary.
Derrida, who founded the approach of "deconstruction" and was a generative father of "postmodernism" still is of great interest for both theoretical and practical philosophy. Through neologisms and concepts such as différance (which sought to replace Husserlian “directedness” with an intuitive indifference), aporia (which extends beyond the provenance of the dialectic), logocentricism, (which attempts to conceive of reliable signs to point to "the logos"), and the political (which is based upon the question of hospitality), Derrida is known for synthesizing insights from both phenomenology and semiotics in order to create something new.
Phrases such as "there is nothing outside the text" tend to be misinterpreted, and therefore overshadow Derrida's vast influence, which can be located squarely within a Heideggerian and Nietzschean legacy of condemning the Platonic eidos and any "metaphysics of presence" that seeks the genesis and origination of thinking itself. In the wake of Heidegger’s fundamental ontology, Derrida wished to get beyond how originary lived experience had become the sole point of legitimation for philosophy. This course will introduce the work of Derrida as well as the essential concepts he developed over the years.

Assessment and permitted materials

Course Requirements
1. Regular class attendance and active participation.
2. Reading of all the material assigned for the class sessions.
3. Completion of all agreed upon assignments on assigned dates.
4. Participation in organized in-class discussions.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

1. Final Project (presentation or paper)--50%
2. One Final Test – 25% (April 27)
3. General class participation/discussion group/attendance --25%

Examination topics

The final exam will be based on just a few, short questions, on which the student will write short answers. The final test will be on April 27. I will send out a study guide 5 days before the exam, which will give the students information on how to prepare.

Reading list

Derrida, Jacques. Speech and Phenomena: And Other Essays on Husserl’s Theory of Signs. trans. David Allison. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press. 1973.

Derrida, Jacques. The Politics of Friendship. New York, NY: Verso, 1997.
Derrida, Jacques. Rogues: Two Essays on Reason. Trans. Pascale-Anne Brault and Michael Naas. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2005.

Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Baltimore MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1976.
Derrida, Jacques. Of Hospitality: Anne Dufourmantelle Invites Jacques Derrida to Respond. trans Rachel Bowlby, Sanford, CA: Stanford U Press. 2000.

Derrida, Jacques. Monolingualism of the Other; or, The Prosthesis of Origin. Stanford CA: Stanford Press, 1998.

Derrida, Jacques. “How to avoid Speaking: Denials,” in Psyche: Inventions of the Other Volume II. eds. Peggy Kamuf and Elizabeth Rottenberg. Stanford CA: Stanford University Press, 2008.
Derrida, Jacques. “Faith and Knowledge” in Religion. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1998.

Derrida, Jacques. The Gift of Death, trans. David Wills. Chicago IL: University of Chicago Press, 1995.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:36