Texts: Existentialism, by Robert Solomon (2nd edition)
            The Trial, by Franz Kafka
            Nausea, by Jean-Paul Sartre
            (available at Amherst Books)

Instructor: Barak Krakauer
krakauer@philos.umass.edu
Bartlett 355
Office Hours: Mondays, 11:00-12:00

Location: MWF, 10:10-11:00, Bartlett 206

Description:
This course is a survey of Existentialist philosophy in the late 19th and early 20th century. Readings will include Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Kafka, Sartre, and Camus. Some of the themes of these readings include God, value, freedom, authenticity, meaning, and the absurd.

Requirements:
There will be three takehome tests and a final paper. You will also be graded for class attendance and participation. Grades will be determined as follows:

Test 1: 20%
Test 2: 20%
Test 3: 20%
Paper: 30%
Class Participation: 10%

Exams: There will be three take-home exams over the course of the semester. The exams will cover material discussed in the readings and in the class, and will consist of four short essay questions.

Paper: Each student will write a paper at the end of the semester. The paper should be between 8 and 10 pages long, and should be on a topic of your chosing.

You are expected to attend each class and participate regularly.

Late Policy:
Any paper or test that is handed in late (and without an extension) will be penalized by one grade (for example, an A will become an A-).  To get an extension, you must email me before the day the assignment is due.

Disabilities:
If you have a documented learning disability on record with the university, let me know as soon as possible.    

Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism, cheating, or other violations of academic honesty will not be tolerated.  Any student caught cheating in this course will be subject to the most severe penalties consistent with university policy.