LN253 One Unit
European Literature and Philosophy
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Olga Sobolev
Availability
This course is available on the BA in Social Anthropology, BSc in Economic History, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Economics and Economic History, BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Relations and History, BSc in Language, Culture and Society, BSc in Philosophy and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with a Year Abroad), BSc in Politics and Philosophy, BSc in Social Anthropology, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.
Students can take this course in any year of their studies.
This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis.
Requisites
Additional requisites:
Although an A-level pass or equivalent in Literature is useful, it is not an absolute requirement (especially for General Course students).
Course content
(a) Literary treatment of the major philosophical trends of the twentieth century, including the aesthetics of Bergson and Nietzsche, the analytical school of Russell; political philosophy of Isaiah Berlin, the existentialism of Heidegger and Sartre, the paradox of the absurd of Camus, French and East European Phenomenology; Wittgenstein and philosophy of language (b) Related trips to galleries and theatre productions during the year; (c) Use of archive recordings of authors, and video; (d) Students encouraged to draw upon background in their main discipline, and to read widely.
Teaching
1 hours of lectures and 1 hours of classes in the Spring Term.
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.
Structured activities during the reading week in the AT and WT. Revision tutorials in the ST.
Formative assessment
Two essays per year; topically based research presentations.
Indicative reading
Dostoevsky Crime and Punishment ;The Parable of the Grand Inquisitor; Kafka Metamorphosis & The Trial; Nabokov Lolita, Speak Memory & Strong Opinions, Celan Todesfuge and other poems; St-Exupery The Little Prince; Solzhenitzyn One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich; Camus L'Etranger ;The Myth of Sisyphus; Kundera The Unbearable Lightness of Being; Stoppard Dogg's Hamlet Cahoot's Macbeth
Assessment
Exam (70%), duration: 180 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Essay (30%, 2500 words)
Key facts
Department: Language Centre
Course Study Period: Autumn, Winter and Spring Term
Unit value: One unit
FHEQ Level: Level 5
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 24
Average class size 2024/25: 8
Capped 2024/25: Yes(24)Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills